Lore

Holidays Celebrated Across Imarel - by T.A. Saunders ©2010 v1.2

The following is a list of holidays celebrated across Imarel; some are only celebrated in certain nations, others are celebrated across the world. Notations for such will be marked with each holiday and holidays will be separated by the Terran and Imarelian month they take place on. Since the Asyndi were the first to make many of these holidays, they are noted in their language. Some are Elvish holidays Humans have adopted and still others are exclusively holidays celebrated by certain races.

Roshat (December)

Roshat 21, Divashi Jirune (Imarel-Wide)

Much like the other seasonal celebration, Divashi Jirune is celebrated with an array of outdoor activities, including downhill sled races, dog sled races and a sport called Kahjun. Originated by the Northlanders of Zoda, Kahjun involves two teams that must protect a netted area, roughly six feet wide and four feet tall. The object is to sling a rock into the net while the other team attempts to intercept the rock from the carrier. The device to throw the rock, called a Ahnlo, has a short wooden handle and a narrow and long netting. The carrier must run up to the scoring net and attempt to sling the rock into the net. Needless to say, Kajun is a heavy contact sport, filled with veteran players that are missing teeth and have had several broken bones. Voraath have also adopted this game.
Silverberry wine and sweet-cakes are particular popular during Divashi Jirune and are often served at taverns across Imarel to celebrate the season. The colors of this holiday are light blue and white and worn during the Divashi Siray, a special dance held on the midnight of this night.

Roshat 25, Festival of Remembrance (Imarel-Wide)

This celebration is a widely popular one that urges celebrants to remember family, friends and loved ones with gifts of appreciation. Often also called Yule, for the Elvish term for the festival, which is Yulei es Asrinai, this day is also celebrated with a large evergreen tree that is cut down and placed in the center of a celebrating town or city, whereupon people are welcome to put brightly colored decorations or candles to remember loved ones or family that have passed on, that have their names etched on them.

Feasting is also very popular for this day with large, elaborate meals that often include turkey, ham or basted bashrah. Many will also gather and sing at the foot of the Remembrance Tree, regardless of the cold and weather after the great feast has been had and gifts have been exchanged. The colors of this holiday are green and red and comprise the colors of many of the ornaments and clothing worn on this day.