The anniversary of one's birth on the world of Weirth is a time for reflection and remembrance of things past, especially the dead who have passed on before you. For young people this means making short lengths of braided strings and colored threads, called a Birth Day Cord, to give to their friends, family and loved ones. For older adults it may mean spending the morning in solitude, meditation and remembrance. Adults will make only one Birth Day Cord, for themselves.
Because it is so vital to remember the dead, so they don't Return, there are many rituals and practices for remembering. Poems, songs, charms on bracelets or necklaces, even the pattern of the braid used to make the Birth Day Cords, all are useful in assisting a person to recall their own past and others they have known and/or loved.
Sometimes on the anniversary of the birth of a person important to a family or clan (or even a city!), large groups of people will gather to celebrate them. Others will have quiet celebrations at home, with just a few friends and family members. Officially sanctioned gatherings for an influential member of the community (such as a Councillor, a Noble or religious leader) will feature Birth Day Cords for all of the attendees, with metallic threads and clever new designs.
Sometimes a gathering will have a member with a Knack for recall, and this person will regale the group with stories and anecdotes. Those closest to the person having the anniversary will often gift the attendees with Birth Day Cords as gifts of remembrance. These Cords are hung with some ceremony on or near the Hearth of the recipient, who will write a short note on a small strip of paper, which is then rolled up into a tight tube and inserted in the center of the braided cord (where there is a small hollow space).
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