Creating Holidays #3: Food!

[Minibit]

Whether it's a day of fasting, a day where the hungry are fed, or a day for sweets and indulgence, food plays an important part in many holiday traditions; you challenge is to design a holiday that, instead of celebrating WITH food, celebrates food itself! It can be a harvest festival or simply a nod to the culinary artists of the community

Food can have a lot more cultural significance than simply nourishing people, too. Some cultures believe that consuming something with powerful or magical properties will allow you to absorb that power. For others, it's a less literal blessing of a meal being a time you spend with loved ones - think of the old phrase "to break bread together". Food can be symbolic, as well; think of religious communion, with bread and wine representing the flesh and blood of Jesus. Seasonal foods can mark the passage of time and the seasons, and be representative of the same things those seasons represent (ie: spring being a time of rebirth)

Once again you can use the form below, create your own form, or free-write!


Holiday Name:
When is it celebrated?
Who celebrates?
What is done to celebrate?
How old is this holiday?
Has this holiday changed much from its roots?
Where do the festivities take place?
Is there anything it is taboo to do on this holiday?
Do people dress differently for this holiday?
Is any kind of decoration traditional?
Are any colours, symbols, or icons associated with this holiday?
Are any spirits or deities associated with this holiday?
Is it an important/widespread celebration, or a smaller affair?
Are there any foods or drinks associated with this holiday?
Do any natural events coincide with this holiday (ie: an eclipse)?
What kind of food is celebrated?
Does it tie in with the agricultural or ranching community?
Is everyone expected to cook?
Is there one large meal, or munching through the day? Conversely, is it a day of fasting?
Is any special attention given to those who suffer for lack of food?
Do those who are especially skilled chefs make any special contribution?
Are there any contests? Any awards?
Does the food carry any symbolism?
Is there a limit as to how much you can eat on this holiday?

Other Creating Holidays Exercises:

Seasons!
Death!
Food!
Protection!
Costumes!
Travel!
Animals!
Time!
Parents!
Invention!
Gifts!
Inebriation!
Superstition!
Religion!
Miracles!
Birthdays!
Manliness!
Games!
The Future!
Purification!
Flowers!

 

[Elflady]

Holiday Name: The Feast of Quaye and Aliya

What kind of food is celebrated? All kinds off food but more so actual food before sweets.

Does it tie in with the agricultural or ranching community? Yes, one of the gods celebrated is the God of Agriculture Quaye, he is celebrated for his gift of sustenance through the earth.

Is everyone expected to cook? All who can, small children help, in some cases hinder, their parents or guardians in cooking food or baking sweets.

Is it celebrated with the public, or more of a home-and-family affair? It's mostly a family affair, families celebrate at home except when all bring their contributes to those in need, then they all head back home to eat their share.

Is there one large meal, or munching through the day? Conversely, is it a day of fasting? Families cook a large meal during the midday, more than half is given to the community group that then distribute it out between those who lack food. Families then gather for a dinner much more diverse than any other day.

Is any special attention given to those who suffer for lack of food? Yes, for this day people cook enough food that they can share what they have with those in need, the poor and sick.

Do those who are especially skilled chefs make any special contribution? Though it's not mandatory many who are skilled with cooking or baking prepare special meals and sweets for those who lack food and of course their own meals as well.

Are there any contests? Any awards? No, it's not even mandatory to participate but still almost every family join in, this is a holiday in thanks for survival through both kindness, food and healing.

Besides eating/cooking/fasting, what else is done to celebrate? The giving of food to the poor and sick.

How did this holiday get started? It's a relatively new holiday compared to others, it's still quite old however. The divine couple Quaye, the God of Agriculture, and his wife Aliya the Goddess of Healing and aid, have been honoured by the humans for a long time but not until a person, now forgotten, thought of giving the two gods their own holiday. Quaye for the gift of sustenance through the earth that allow people to survive and live. Aliya for her will to aid all who needs it and her healing through both magic and medicine taking from the plants and food governed over by her husband.