Lu Zom / First Meal
1st of Sun's Swell, AE 721
Although the lu zom is not a formalized ritual (far from it), it's often the talk of the town when Aglasli teens begin their vön, their year of service. Meaning, "first meal," in Orcish, it refers to the first dinner of the vön that the teens spend in their bunkhouse with each other. This occurs after parents have dropped them off and said their goodbyes, and bags have been unpacked. It is often the moment that it sets in for the participants that they are truly by themselves and they get that first real taste of independence.
Most Aglasli look back on the night fondly; it is known for more often than not being chaotic and a little messy. Most of the teens are unlikely to have ever cooked full meals entirely on their own before, and especially not for ten or more hungry teenagers. They have a kitchen stocked with any cooking utensils they may need, as well as some staple foods such as rice, bread, butter, cheese, cuts of buffalo meat, and cooking oil, but they are expected to quickly learn how to plan and shop for their own groceries on top of learning how to cook.
It's common for members of the community to loiter near the bunkhouse, occasionally poking their heads in the windows to offer critiques or complain that they still can't smell any good cooking, although some that take pity on the teens may offer small tips or encouragement.
Aglasque bunkhouse
An example of the type of bunkhouse in which Aglasli teens spend their year of service.
Participants
Interaction from those who aren't participating in the vön varies somewhat from community to community. Many treat it like a spectator sport, but some view it as a special time in which the teens should be left to their own devices so they may learn from each other, as well as from their own mistakes.
Observance
The lu zom takes place on the first night of vön, the year of service that every Aglasli child undertakes. It starts on the 1st of Rimereach and ends on the 27th day of Night's Crown. They participate during the calendar year in which they will have their 15th birthday.
Related Ethnicities
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