Festivals

Across the world, many festivals were celebrated by many different people. 
== Festivals ==
Date Observed 	Original Culture	Event or Festival 	Notes
First storm of the year 	Gildegran 	Łorituaqqanit (Thunder Journey) 	The first storm of the year is sacred to many Gildegran people such as the Yupiisut and Fenet. After the first storm of the year ended, it was tradition to go down to the edge of a body of water, like a lake or river, and pray there, seeking the wisdom of the stones, wind, and water, all infused with the divine might of above.
1st Helkoälda 	Euluska 	Verilasiromu (New Year) 	A celebration of the beginning of a new chapter of life; the month is named after the southerly wind that will bring change and new possibilities. It is often celebrated with gatherings, looking back on the previous year, and looking forward to what the helkoälda will spell. One event is the helkosundila, where people light a huge bonfire using wood and kindling from the winter and only sit or stand to the north side of the bonfire during the meal that traditionally contains spiced meats, roasted vegetables, wine, and honey.
5th Helkoälda 	Rakki 	Volþark deg (Wind-Rune Day) 	On this day in Rakkimar, families create small wind chimes, whether from scraps of glass and wood to elaborate art covered in painted runes, and anything in between. They hang them outside every external door of the house to ward off evil spirits from entering, and inside, people burn sage, lavender, or other scents to cleanse the air of lurking spirits.
1st to 7th Lykaiö 	Euluska 	Vaiërlivret (Earthfreeing) 	During the first seven days of Lykaiö, it is a time of preparation. People traditionally clean their homes as well as working together to clean outside, such as streets, wells, etc. They often use a ualis, a broom made from split branches collected in winter or from leftover kindling, symbolising the incoming end of the cold and lack of need for firewood.
1st Luanä 	Tbikhlan 	Mennan whealann (Mine Dawn) 	On the first of the month, traditionally the Tibealan workers would leave their homes for the mines. Mining is a large part of Tibealan culture, and on this date, the ground would no longer be cold and frozen, allowing them to continue. The evening before, they would have one last great grand meal with their friends and families who would be remaining in the towns and villages.
12th Luanä 	Euluska 	Sauheromu Kanixek (Ash Night) 	On the twelfth night of Luanä, farmers' fields are blessed by scattering the ashes of a burnt twig collected over the winter on them. It is on (or usually a while after) this date that sowing traditionally happens, but rarely before if according to traditional rules
Night of the 27th Luäna to 1st Veltai 	Euluska 	Kaum Zaxak (Rising Equinox) 	This festival celebrates the rising of the light of summer, against the darkness of winter. The spring equinox is celebrated from the 27th to the 1st, though it falls on the 28th. Traditionally, when it begins to get dark on the 27th Luäna, all lights are extinguished, both in and out of homes. Thus, there is a whole night and day of darkness, and on the 1st, the sun's light is celebrated as the restoration of balance between light and dark. The exception to the no-light tradition is a single candle known as a sekura, which only the woman of the house is allowed to light, and which must be extinguished before first light. A large breakfast meal is eaten together on the 1st Veltai.
Early Veltai, when flowers begin to bloom 	Euluska 	Suelorexiä (Flowering) 	For the first week after the first flower blooms, people dress in their most bright and colourful robes and dresses. Colourful ribbons, patchwork, embroidery, weaving, painting etc is done to decorate houses both inside and out. Many people pick a single flower to thank Maiona for her flourishing bounty, and wear it in their hair. Garlands are also worn, and bunches of herbs or bouqets of branches are carried for good luck.
3rd Ekeï 	Euluska 	Kelalitesauheromu (Lucknight) 	During this festival, people and their friends write meaningful wishes, desires, hopes or dreams on scraps of paper (originally chalking sigils on leaves or bark) and put them in a small lidded clay pot. Then, after sunset, a small flame (representing the beginning of summer) is set in the pot outdoors to burn the contents, as the wishes enter the ether and Maiona attends them.
24th Ekeï 	Tbikhlan 	Kolster Trewhellan (Trewhellan's Drink Festival)	This bizarre festival commemorates a day of Tibealan legend, where an ancient Turmish king apparently was walking through a small village when he came upon a woman selling sour apple juice. As the legends tell, it turned into cider on his ride back to Trengolwheal, and he presented his discovery of alcohol to his people. In honour, it is a day of drinking and merriment, and miners often return a few days before for the summer.
1st Utza, Summer Solstice 	Euluska 	Valahelonou (Summer's Eve) 	The summer solstice is celebrated joyously, with a large meal that all people must participate in preparing. Prayers are said, songs are sang, people dance, celebrating the closest day of romu (the sun) to them.
20th Utza to 7th Ixte 	Euluska 	Maiäsunaëko (Love Festival) 	The weeks either side of valahelonou (the solstice) are also regarded as a highly romantic time, and it is during this time that couples will often spend more time with each other, exchange gifts or visit places, and naturally will spend other time together for romantic or sexual closeness and togetherness.
14th Ixte 	Euluska 	Ixtemela Sauheromu (Healing Fire Night) 	In the evening of the 14th Ixte, small fires are lit and jumped over, whilst the prayer eMaiöna ixteëkso tosëkso melaëy (Maiona, heal me with fire, with warmth) is said. This festival is said to ward off evil and disease.
20th Ixte 	Rakki 	Skállnätt 	In this Old Rakki traditional celebration, it would commemorate the returning season of the skalðr (storied warriors) returning from their conquests. It used to involve grand tales of their exploits as they returned from raids and war to their families. Even now, the traditions conserved include huge feasts complete with roaring fires, malt beer, and ripe meat off the bone. It is also a time for storytelling among the Rakki people.
First harvest, almost always during Kaleävi 	Euluska 	Seso Vumki (Bread Feast) 	On the day of the first harvest of the year, which is almost always during Kaleävi, seso vumki is celebrated. It varies due to the environment, but is celebrated by community at one time. The people spend the day making bread together, with many different types of warm, fluffy loaves called kalevumki full of herbs, honey, or sea salt, or sweet ones with oranges, berries, cinnamon and sugar. People eat these together, celebrating the coming bounty of Maiona and thanking the land for its provision.
The first night with rain during Varokoleäna	Euluska 	Korokoleäna (Story Singing) 	At the beginning of the winter rain on Korokoleäna night, it is a time of storytelling, songs, and remembrance. Traditionally, everyone gathers indoors, sheltered from the rain, and takes it in turns to tell a story about something they want to remember. It is sometimes another person who has passed, or a particular time or moment. Thus by telling others, the memory becomes everlasting. The name of the festival comes from the traditional practice of it happening as a community elder would play a drum or a string instrument during the story, but this is not necessarily true for modern versions of the festival.
1st Vőwa - Winter Solstice 	Euluska 	Kitavarro (Winterlight) 	The darkest day of the year, the tradition was to show defiance against the cold and dark with light, song, warmth, and fire. Bonfires were lit, feasts were eaten around them, and light was celebrated with fireworks, pyrotechnics, and dancing alike.