ozonlu

Onzolu

Ozonlu, also known as the festival of the holly branch, is celebrated during the winter months. It is a five day holiday which remembers the fall of the totalitarian Sect of Edd in the island of Aktish. During the Aktish civil war a slave revolt occurred led by Yusaf Ingrid. This revolt along with a popular revolt by the civilian population marched into Newhaven the capital of Aktish. The revolutionaries were surrounded by the militant army who threatened to fire on the demonstrators. Yusaf, infuriated by the show of violence was enraged and, along with several of his comrades, charged at the army. Arrows began to fly and conflict broke out in the street. Allegedly it lasted for five hours with several casualties on both sides. A group of deserters fought against the army but it appeared their efforts were futile. Yusaf was shot by an arrow, the soldiers had surrounded most of those still on the streets and several rioters had been captured. It appeared all hope was lost. Then from the grand cathedral placed centrally in the city a bishop emerged. She was allegedly holding a holly branch. She ran to the center of the conflict and proclaimed that god had commanded her to bring this branch to them as a sign of peace among men. As the branch was hewn into the air arrows fell to the ground. Swords lost their luster and the cobblestones of the street fell to the ground. A heavenly light surrounded the bishop. Yusaf lay bleeding on the floor but he was buried later that day. The sect of Edd fell within the week. Ever since then in celebration of that wonderful day it is common to hand above your door. To commemorate the people who fought on the streets for food and freedom it is traditional to bake a loaf of rye bread and give a gift of salt to your neighbor. This likely originates from the revolutionary chats for salt and bread which were sung during the protest. To remember Yusaf’s sacrifice and the plight of the slaves a red candle is lit, the candle should burn for the duration of the five days. This reminds us of the blood he spilt on the cobbles for his freedom and of the blood of the plantations who often worked slaves to death. It is also common for songs to be sung during the five day period. The celebration lasts five days because the protest lasted five hours.