Jugan-eum-ui-naloen
"Death is not something we can avoid, but it is something we do not have to mourn. We can celebrate death if we push aside the darkness death brings."
Jugan-eum-ui-naloen is a tradition similar to Dia de los Muertos ("Day of the Dead") on Earth. This is a time when those of the Itude Empire—usually involving family and friends—gather to pray for and to remember friends and family members who have died. It is commonly portrayed as a day of celebration rather than mourning. During the ceremony, Vampires, Blood Witches, and Humans alike celebrate by dressing up, baking sweets, and gathering for a large memorial in each of the big cities in the regions of the empire.
memorial by freestocks.org (Pexels)
History
Death was always celebrated by the vampires. It was treated as something natural that happened throughout life, and nothing helped when the werewolves were always out to try and slaughter the vampires.
When the Itude Empire was formed, it sought to use Totosius 20th as a way to lift the spirits of those broken and unsure of what good living in another place where werewolves hated them. Thanks to the cultural guidance of Lady Sin-yeona Cheonsa, Emperor Vladimir Tepes founded a holiday that surrounded celebrating death known as Jugan-eum-ui-naloen.
Execution
The festivities start in the early morning hours when citizens throughout the empire and the staff of the palace start baking sweets and setting up designated areas for memorials, which can either be at cemeteries, lakes, or even the sea.
water memorial by Bring.the.traveler (Pexels)
"Tonight is a time for celebration. Tonight is when we tell stories of our deceased loved ones. Tonight is when we try to forget looming the war and remember our past."
By the time night has fallen over the empire, the cities, towns, and villages are dark with a parade of people carrying torches and baskets of sweets while dressed in black clothing, their faces painted like skulls.
Once at the memorials, people gather to tell stories, pray, and even sing songs about their loved ones. Sweets, pumpkins, gourds, candles, flowers, and photos are laid out on the memorials for each family. Some even set out skulls of the beasts their deceased family members or friends slew while alive.
memorial dress up by Oleg Magni (Pexels)
Itude Empire
The Gears Rebellion
Culture of Itude Empire
In most cultures around the wolf, vampires, half-vampires, and blood witches are treated as though they are part of the undead, humans are mortal with short lifespans. These are two topics that are forbidden to be spoken of. When one dies, they are treated and revered with great respect. They are even given lavish funerals and given memorials fit for an emperor.
Observance
It is mainly observed on Totosius 20th as the darkest day of the year, provided that the current orbit doesn't fall on Sun Day. During this time, the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, providing the best chance to communicate with the dead and show them just how much they mean to the vampiric culture.
Participants
All citizens of the empire are given permission to engage in the festivities, such as setting up memorials, baking sweet treats, singing songs, and telling stories of deceased loved ones. Exotic Pets are forbidden to join in.
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