The Flowering of Youth is a coming of age tradition in
Ushann.
To the
Ushanni, whose lives revolve around farming, flowers are the ultimate status symbol. To be so affluent that you have the time and money to spend tending to a purely ornamental plant is the most powerful way to demonstrate your worthiness for public office. The Ushanni revere flowers so much they name their towns after them.
Age of Maturity
The Ushanni consider 16 to be the age of adulthood, when the bud of youth blossoms into flowering maturity. At the age of adulthood Ushanni can marry, own property, and run for the position of Marquess, the town leader and representative at The Marq.
Background
As farming families, they tend to have large families to help with the labor intensive farm work. This means that it is cost prohibitive to have individual celebrations. As such, the sitting Marquess for each town will hold celebrations four times a year for each seasons' new adults; it is held on the Flower Moon, the Hawk Moon, the Threshing Moon, and the Dark Moon.
The celebration was originally held for matchmaking purposes, but as arranged marriage faded away, it transformed into a formal introduction to society and a celebration of growth. The Marquess hosts this event in the name of cultural heritage, but it has become an integral part campaigning; a bad celebration can cost a Marquess reelection.
Celebration
It is traditional to deck the celebrants in fresh flower crowns and chains made of the town's namesake botanical. This can be accomplished in all seasons thanks to the greenhouses crafted in
Armeria Maritima.
In nicer weather the participants will promenade around the Flower Feast Ribbon Pole; in cold weather the promenade will take place in the town hall.
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