Taaqi Day

In the jungles of Northern Melung, every creature knows that the taaqi must be feared. And only a mad man wouldn't do that: this giant mass of legs, armed with four powerful tweezers, is a ferocious predator and will attack anyone who comes too close. However, some people turned that fear into something else: respect.

— Sirius, the Silver, Melung Explored

History

The Matê, a small people of Northern Talung, have admired the strenght, the steadiness and the majesty of the taaqi, a powerful predator of the region. Taaqis look like giant land crabs, and are said to keep enemies and bad spirits away from the jungle with their four powerful tweezer-like claws.
For that reason, they celebrate the Taaqi Day each 36 weeks, and it's an event that unite all Matê tribes. It's a day where, beyond paying homage to the protector of the jungle, many alliances and marriage votes are made.
Every 36 taaqi days is celebrated the Taaqiuí Day, a much bigger event.

Execution

For the festival, the carcass of a huge dead Taaqi is hanged in the middle of the village. In front of it, a large fire pit is built and lit, over which the taaqi legs will be roasted. The meat is then shared to all participants, and all can eat a bit.
Each tribe takes one taaqi leg to the hosting village, and the tribe which brings the heavier one is selected to be host for the next Taaqi Day. They are forbidden to get a leg from a taaqi that doensn't have all the 12 legs or to get more than one leg, since that could jeopardize the natural role of the creature.
In the Taaqiuí Day, a whole taaqi is roasted. Since this day is when many roles are passed to the next generation, these beginners receive a specific part, to absorb one of the virtues of the taaqi: new warriors receive the claws, sages receive the eyes, shamans receive the antennas, women receive the legs and the rest of the village eats the body.

Participants

Matê tribes are the only ones who celebrate the taaqi day. However, foreigners are not forbidden to participate, if they are guests.

Observance

Each 36 weeks. Each week represents a division in one of the 12 legs of the taaqi, including the claws.
Every almost 25 years, after 35 consecutive Taaqi days, it's celebrated the Taaqiuí (big, or whole, taaqi) day.

Taaqi parts and what they represent

Claws

Strength and bravery, thus being given to new warriors.

Eyes

Intelligence, being given to the next generation of sages.

Antennas

The connection with the ether and the spiritual world, being given to starting shamans.

Legs

Teachings, being given to young women, who will have children and raise them.

Body

Health, needed by all, and thus being given to everyone.