Post by Kayla on Sept 4, 2008 9:22:13 GMT -5
This holiday of Amaru is celebrated only by the Saikana. Their race believes that by paying tribute to the gods of Amaru they will bless the oceans with a good catch. It also ties in with their belief that the sea is where every living thing originated from.
This is celebrated on the first full moon of the new year when the tides begin to rise due to the moon's cycle. They thank the gods in a formal ceremony during which the entire village of Cascade Mountain gathers on the rocks surrounding the waterfall. After the ceremony they wait in silence until nightfall. During this time they are not allowed to speak but they may continue making jewelry. Also, only the Elders are not allowed to leave the rocks during the day. Others are and one Saikana is assigned the task of bringing them food at one point during the day to serve as a snack.
Once the last bit of sunlight has faded to night and the moon starts to shine over the waters, the Elders rise and call out to the village proclaiming the vigil of silence is finished. After this announcement is made everyone cheers and the celebrations begin. The youngest Saikana are allowed to stay up on this day until the moon leaves the skies if they wish to, there is no bed-time during Haldal Wave.
The celebration itself includes a festival during which the Saikana exchange different pieces of their most decorative shell jewelry. Also, both male and female are invited to dance. For this females usually wear several bands around their ankles carved from coral to produce a clacking noise as they move around to the beat of the drum music.
Cascade Mountain is filled with colour from decorations spread over the village as well as the green and blues from its inhabitants. Because their home is so well hidden and the cliffs sound proof the area around them, they are allowed to be as loud as they wish. This holiday is especially looked forward to by the younger Saikana as on a any other day they must go to bed at a certain time as well as be an exceptable level of quiet as not to disturb anyone resting.
This is celebrated on the first full moon of the new year when the tides begin to rise due to the moon's cycle. They thank the gods in a formal ceremony during which the entire village of Cascade Mountain gathers on the rocks surrounding the waterfall. After the ceremony they wait in silence until nightfall. During this time they are not allowed to speak but they may continue making jewelry. Also, only the Elders are not allowed to leave the rocks during the day. Others are and one Saikana is assigned the task of bringing them food at one point during the day to serve as a snack.
Once the last bit of sunlight has faded to night and the moon starts to shine over the waters, the Elders rise and call out to the village proclaiming the vigil of silence is finished. After this announcement is made everyone cheers and the celebrations begin. The youngest Saikana are allowed to stay up on this day until the moon leaves the skies if they wish to, there is no bed-time during Haldal Wave.
The celebration itself includes a festival during which the Saikana exchange different pieces of their most decorative shell jewelry. Also, both male and female are invited to dance. For this females usually wear several bands around their ankles carved from coral to produce a clacking noise as they move around to the beat of the drum music.
Cascade Mountain is filled with colour from decorations spread over the village as well as the green and blues from its inhabitants. Because their home is so well hidden and the cliffs sound proof the area around them, they are allowed to be as loud as they wish. This holiday is especially looked forward to by the younger Saikana as on a any other day they must go to bed at a certain time as well as be an exceptable level of quiet as not to disturb anyone resting.