Events and Holidays
The Year
sometimes referred to as Ayal's journey, (Ayal being the legendary figure Sky whose eye is the sun.), a year is marked by the full rotation of seasons, beginning with Earlysun, transitioning to Highsun, falling to Latesun, and lastly cooling to Palesun. The first half of a season is referred to as the coming-wind, while the latter half is the going-wind.
So, to state a particular date, one may say for example: "Today is the third day in the coming-wind of Latesun, at year four hundred and two following the First Gathering."
The Gathering
The Gathering is a major, annual meeting event situated in the Confluence, an area above the Gullet on the Heart's rightmost coast. Representatives from participating clans make the journey to the Confluence, alongside witnesses and any else who wish to attend.
The Gathering is held in the going-wind of Highsun, when the heat is just starting to abate and the sky is fair.
Once everyone is gathered a meeting is held within a structure known as the Gathering Cave, where the meeting persons are relatively safe from exposure to the elements and pests. This meeting concerns the general wellbeing of each clan, any significant issues and requests, the forming of alliances, laws, the division or merging of clans and groups... etcetera.
Aside from the meeting itself, the Gathering is also a time where peoples who otherwise would never cross paths can mingle. Artisans sell their crafts, performers tell tall tales, and foods from just about anywhere are shared and sampled and iterated upon. Those who have learned many languages can flex their skills as translators, and those who wish to accumulate skills and knowledge can seek mentors who will take them on.
Eeldance
Held during the period where giant eels come to spawn near specific clans’ waters is a holiday known as Eeldance. These aggressive, but beautiful creatures are regarded as guardians of fish who keep populations healthy, so for about a week lissa do not engage in fishing, and stay far from the eel spawning grounds. Pups especially are at risk of being attacked by these eels. This has inspired bogeyman stories of eels slithering ashore at night and devouring sleeping pups who have been naughty.
The holiday is additionally celebrated with decorations resembling the eels, which are put together by lissa themselves or commissioned from neighboring kipsang artisans.
