Harvest Moon marks the end of the main agricultural season and the start of the cooler rainy season.
Harvest Festival | 1st to 7th #
The Harvest Festival is a week-long celebration where the Avodai thank the Light for the abundance of the past year and the Word. All Avodai live in makeshift tents by the fields that represent the exile from Freka and trust in the gifts of the Lights’ earth. Avodai are commanded to invite all those who are in need to share in the bounty of the Harvest.
Avodai eat all meals in the tents, including during rainstorms. The Book of Commentary teaches that rain during the Harvest Festival is only a small reminder of the Flood caused by the greed of our ancestors that we must never again let overtake us.
Meals often include Rice-Stuffed Grape leaves served with cannellini beans, roasted eggplant sprinkled with pomegranates, red lentil kofte in sweet and sour sauce, and yam hand pies. People drink freshly-squeezed grape juice.
During this time the Lumdai celebrate the Wine Festival and the sacrifice of their Lord. The Harvest Festival can be a dangerous time for Avodai because of the drunkenness of our neighbors and lack of proper dwellings. Therefore, it is prudent for Avodai to drink moderately or not at all during the Festival.
Lightkindler Ceremony and Honey Ceremonies | 8th #
The Holiday season ends with a celebration of our youth as they transition from one stage of life to another.
The Lightkindler Ceremony is a key milestone for all youth where at age 13 they take on the responsibility of adults in the community. We rejoice with them as they start their apprenticeship or commit to further study, and many youth dance with their crushes at the celebration after the Ceremony. Apprentice teachers present their new apprentices with a small gift needed in their new trade. Youth declare their true gender as they see it at the time, a ceremony performed by Rafa Haya.
We also celebrate the start of our youngest’s education during the Honey Ceremony. Parents give each 5 year old a book and honey stick to represent the sweetness of learning.