Day of the Ancestors

During the feast with the local community, the Crienia elders will tell stories of their ancestors, all things from glory in battle, cleverness in politic or hearthbreaks between two lovers, its also during this that the children of the families are questioned about their ancestors and its expected that every child can recount at least three ancestors names and deeds by heart.    Before returning and the celebration is over, the families will leave small plates of food and or coins outside their homes for wandering spirits, intended for ancestors who might have died far from home or whose remains have never received the proper funeral rites, last one is typically legionaries who died in battle.   Some Crienia communities who live by the sea will make small simple boats and write messages on it, then let the tide take it out to sea for those ancestors who were lost at sea.

Each family will have a small Manuli that they have made and is representing specific deceased ancestors.   The level of detail of the manuli depends on the family, although the age of the manuli tends to play a role, with the older ones being much simpler in their level of detail. All manuli are painted with family colours, and some may hold weapons if they have specific deeds connected with their person.   Each family also have a small shrine in their home, tends to be a small niche in the wall or a cabinet, might even just be a shelf on the wall with the manuli placed up on. During the Day of the Ancestors the family are going to gather around the shrine, lighting candles, burning incense and later they will meet up with the local community and share a feast consisting of breads, salted meat, cakes, wine or a local drink.

Day of the Ancestors is held during the longest night in the shortest month, playing into the symbolic connection with death.   Some Crienia settlements outside of Pearlhal celebrate it on other days, in some areas the day has been integrated with other local customs.   There’s a strong belief that the dead can intercede with the gods on behalf of the living, granting fortune or punishment depending on how they are remembered, likewise breaking laws, fighting, or cheating during this day is considered doubly sinful — it offends both the living and the honored dead.