Kanika

**Kanika** is a festive holiday celebrated across the Dogeandicate, which encompasses Dogeland, Dogestan, Shiberland, Catland, and the Isle of Doges. This joyous occasion takes place annually on the 29th of December and holds significance for both religious and non-religious individuals. It is sometimes referred to as the "Day of Ancestors" to distinguish it from other holidays.

The origins of Kanika can be traced back to the arrival of the Canisapien and Felisapien people, led by Kani's daughters Ikanuette and Okanuette, after their Great Migration from Doggerland. The holiday serves as a commemoration of this significant event in the history of the Dogeandicate.

## Customs and Traditions

**A notable aspect of Kanika** is the use of yellow-dyed Dove Feathers and blue/white Poppies (blue for Ikanuette and white for Okanuette) in dress and decorations. This practice is a way to express gratitude to the Daughters and to honor Kani. Additionally, leaf boat send-offs, where boats filled with blue and/or white poppies are released, are part of Kanikan customs.

**Various customs and traditional ceremonies** are observed during Kanika celebrations. These include traditional chants and music, the wearing of traditional dresses, a colorful blue flower parade, family gatherings, and a special Kanikan dinner. The Kanikan dinner features traditional foods indigenous to the Dogeandicate, such as meve (a local dish), potatoes (usually mashed or sweet), stuffing, dietsen berries, and nutmeg.

**Modern Kanika traditions** have also emerged, including firework displays and store discounts. Charitable organizations like the Blue Poppy Organization and Hope After Withdrawal offer Kanikan dinner for the less fortunate and those who have lost loved ones after the 2021 Quench Disaster, and those who suffer from Quench withdrawal symptoms. Some individuals attend religious services, while others enjoy watching televised events like DBL baseball games during the holiday.

For traditional Kaniks, Kanika is a day of celebration honouring Okanuette and Ikanuette's guidance that led Doggos and Cattos to the Dogeandicate. Non-religious individuals view the holiday as a commemoration of the arrival of Doggos and Cattos into the Dogeandicate.

Kanika serves as the culmination of the holiday season, with the following day, New Year's Eve, marking its conclusion.

## Trivia

* In 1699, during the annual celebration of Kanika, a significant event took place involving 27 British and Dutch colonists. They participated in the festivities and viewed it as a welcoming ceremony. As part of the celebration, the colonists observed the parades and witnessed the Dogger people's traditional dances in modern-day Quenchtown, Dogeland. When the dinner portion of the event commenced, the colonists perceived the celebration as a form of Doggo-Thanksgiving. Despite the prevailing animosity towards colonists during that time, the Dogger people treated them with respect and kindness, extending hospitality as if they were fellow Doggers. This unexpected reception held considerable importance, as it marked a rare instance of shared understanding and camaraderie between humans and Doggos. Amidst the backdrop of the ongoing War on Imperialism, this event held enduring significance in the history of Dogeland and Dogestan. It symbolized the first time that humans and Doggos engaged in a reciprocal exchange of goodwill and retribution, highlighting a notable chapter of cooperation and unity between the two groups.