Celebrations

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Even in a dystopian country ruled by a brute, there are still occasional celebrations, usually on a national scale, and these have to be approved by the government of Bosei.

Bajin’s supposed birth date is the largest celebration by far, consisting of ten days of feasting and drinking, sanctioned by the government. This is usually for those with political power or the rich however, as the poor, working class, and those of lower castes do not have the privilege or money to do so.

The traditional celebration of Bajin’s birth has no name, but is colloquially known as Bosei’s National Day, even though Bosei was known to have been founded before Bajin took power. The celebration starts early on the first day, before the first ray of the morning sun pierces through the veil of night. Bajin kneels before the three Grand Magi in front of his throne in the center of the Bosei Palace, and the Grand Magi ceremoniously rub his forehead with three different local spices, each symbolising his rule over the sky, the earth, and the sea. Annually, a large crowd congregates below the balcony in the southern tower, awaiting Bajin’s presence. Bajin appears at the balcony on the break of dawn, and addresses the audience with the same words every year, reminding them that his rule is absolute. Occasionally, the Grand Magi will cloud the sky with their magic, artificially extending the night if Bajin needs more time for preparation.

There are also celebrations of good harvest, especially in the eastern part of Bosei, where fishermen ritually behead their largest catch and throw the head back into the sea as a token of respect for sea gods, and for them to bless the fishermen with bountiful rewards for the next year. There is limited knowledge of such celebrations elsewhere, though it has been noted by royal scribes that the Duma celebrate a similar event during the winter Periods.

There is a rumour that there are voodoo ceremonies conducted in the underground by partisan societies that are fighting against Bajin’s government. Such ceremonies are outlawed for obvious reasons, and the practitioners are always beheaded publicly if caught, and their corpses displayed at the palace gates.