The Gleaming ritual

The Gleaming ritual is something that sailors and fishermen around Mukas do shortly before each harvest of the Malope Pendula to ensure safety, and good luck on the sea and to keep away the legendary sea monster. This ritual according to the locals, when done properly, is what will protect the ships until the next harvest time.
The week before the Gleaming ritual is held all the prep work is done. The sailor and fishermen clean, remove the old charms and do any repairs on their ships. While several crafters in the village are creating the Malope Pendula seed pod replicas. Many children are collecting the Aucuba abies not only for the Gleaming ritual but to prepare them for the Malope Pendula harvest. All preparations are completed two days before the harvest begins. Shortly before dawn on the first harvest day, everyone in the villages is gathered at the seaside. Sailors and fishermen by their ships the villagers gathered into groups. Family members of the sailors and fishermen gather in front of the ships. The crafters and their apprentices between the family/groups and the sailor/Fisherman. The crafters have the replica Malope Pendula seedpod, while these behind them have the rope made from the Aucuba abies. First, the crafters hand off the seedpods, at least two per ship. Then the crafters bow and split allowing the families to come forward and tie the rope to the seedpods. Once this is done the sailors and fishermen bow before turning to their ships. Then either captain or head fishermen raise one seedpod high above their head and recite the saying ‘May Asia and Ikruen protect our travels.’ Once then all repeat it. Once this is done the ship’s crews board and tie the seedpods to their ship. There it remains until the next year. With that, the ships set out for the harvest, with the cheers of the village sending them onward.