Kanju

### Celebrations

Commemoration to the Winter Gods, gift-giving, fasting, feasts, decoration, burning a pine tree

### Observances

Winter Temple prayer
 Carols

### Date

3 January (Giant Republic, Dizlesia)
 4 January (Cyorsia, Kolatronda, the Oryen)

### Related to

Cannejou Day (Equesen)

**Kanju**, officially the **Holiday of Kanju** (Giantish: *Kanju Hëvdol*), is an annual holiday which commemorates the forging of the winter gods in Giantish mythology. It is observed on January 3rd (Giant Republic and Dizlesia) or January 4th (Cyorsia, Kolatronda, the Oryen), but is also observed by Giantish diaspora around Artil.

## Etymology

*Kanju* is thought to derive from the former Equesian city of Cannejou (now Kanjöl). In Equesen, Cannejou Day bears many resemblances to Kanju. It is possible that Giants in the area brought the festivies past the border and then it spread. It was first attested to in 1988 BSD as *Kantog* (day of *Kan*), which was celebrated in Tjänë Völh.

*Känjo* in Kolatrondan, *Čanyó* in Qaru, and *Kanjova* in Sromaotish are all derived from the Giantish word.

## History

### Origins

*Kanju* was first recorded in 1988 BSD by Örosj the Elder who witnessed a gathering of *Kantog* (day of Kan) in the village of Tjänë Völh (now Völhkuji, Ovot), which he described as having *"decorations among the buildings, the young giving gifts to the elderly and a large pine tree at the center of all the festivities being burnt."*

Later, by 1900 BSD, the festivities reportedly spread to other areas, and by 1850 BSD it had gone into full swing, with the festivals entering local records. They were held in december seemingly at random, but some festivities also took place in january and even into february. It was quickly compared to Cannejou Day, an Equesian holiday which featured similar celebrations. Many temples and chapels in the area began to incorporate it within their services. By 1830 BSD, it had become common practice for almost every temple and chapel in the country to celebrate Kanju, as it became known as. After the 1500's BSD, the occasion had even become common-place in the Cyorsian Empire, whose citizens took in the new holiday with delight. Kanjul cards were produced, and the idea to decorate homes with items that were related to the Winter Gods grew in popularity. In 1487 BSD, it became an official state holiday in the Cyorsian Empire.

### Spread and success

With the adoption of Kanju in the Cyorsian Empire, it spread throughout decades to the constituent countries of the empire. In Kolatronda, it became known as *Känjo*, but instead of celebrating the Winter Gods, it celebrated the gathering of family for the winter season (despite Kolatronda's warm climate), which took off mostly in the mountainous north, but after a century it had also become popular in the central and southern regions.

In the Oryen, it became *Čanyó*, and like Kolatronda, it dropped the celebrations for the Winter Gods in favor of celebrating the Mountain King, a mythological king that lived in the mountains and only came out during winter to build a mansion of wood that would collapse at the end of winter. It saw even more commercial success in the Oryen than Kolatronda, and is still an official state holiday since its independence. The Oric interpretation of Kanju is also celebrated in North Oryen but on a smaller scale and is not an official holiday.

Due to their close ties and borders with Cyorsia, Kanju became a cultural holiday often celebrated near the Cyorsian-Littari border. Kanju markets sprang up across the border area, where Cyorsian visitors would pass over and interact and purchase with the population. The first markets were built in border towns, but also quickly spread to inner cities in East Vitanio, the largest of which being the Niniao Kanju Market, which began operations in 1274 BSD and there are still Kanju markets operating in the city every year. Even now and despite the changes in borders around the area, the Kanju markets in Listkel and Tulivou have become the largest Kanju markets outside of Cyorsia, with an annual of 900,000 visitors going to each city for the Kanju markets during the days of 30 December - 7 January, when they are in operation. Other cities in the Littary Admiralty that host Kanju markets are Tisanjo, Hommast, and Osmol.

Likewise, Dara has also taken on a winter-time tradition (called *Khānyā* in Daro) based off the Kolatrondan interpretation. It is celebrated by only a small percentage of the population, but is very popular in the south. Bolh Vensūūkâl has had a Khānyā festival in its city center.

In Nelussia and Dusva (also Lurin), the traditional Hearthist Winterfest that occurs every year on December 24th has significant elements borrow from Kanju, due to the close historical ties between the nations and the Giant Republic and Cyorsia. Oftentimes the three-pointed *kenjupövgatj* (Kenju star) is used on decorations and at the top of the Winterfest pine trees placed in homes. While there is already significant overlap between the two holidays, the act of dressing up as otters (Giantish: *hödja*, Nelussian: *ôter*) is commonplace amongst children, which is derived from a Kanju practice that originated in Gia. Various Giantish Kanju cuisine is also mixed with Nelussian Winterfest cuisine. In Dusva,