Tetrava Union

History

Much of the origin of Tatrava Courtship is lost to time. The ancient manuscripts are written in Pure Abberant, leaving the stories and culture the ceremony was derived from a bit of a mystery. Still, the tropes of the ancient ceremony remain, despite minor changes to the formula across the ages. An ancient Tatrava attending a modern wedding would be astounded at the extravagant blasphemy of the whole affair, but such is change.

Execution

The ceremony as it stands today is a lengthy process, but one with much joy and celebration. The true beginning comes with the arranged marriage of the couple. The family, a Bayanai Matchweaver, and even the lovers themselves stake out who they are too marry. Once the equally lengthy process of matchmaking is complete, the ceremony can begin.
1: Each family holds a private feast. The meal is typically the third best mare of the herd, but this is not strictly held. Most poorer families enjoy what they can afford, or cook the favorite meal of their part of the young couple. The only one allowed to drink during the feast is the Bayanai most closely bonded to the to-be-wed. That Bayanai sits on the left side, upon a special white stool. The future bride sits upon a blue pillow, while the future groom sits upon a black stool.
2: While the marriage is likely already known to the entire village, the heads of each family kneel on the steps of the lord's home and proclaim the union. They are careful to avoid speaking over each other's words, as it is considered bad luck. The lord must not exit his tent, or the blessing he will give to the couple will be rendered useless. Upon hearing these words, each Tatrava responds with "And we ride with you!". Visitors to village who hear these words respond with "The mountains will speak their names!" When the sun sinks below the horizon, the two heads return home.
3: As wedding day approaches, the preparations begin. An arch is constructed of Bayanai bone and the birth herb of each Tatrava. The wedding clothes are passed to the new bride, another alteration added to the mass of esoteric patchwork that makes up the stunning gown. The groom is to have his head shaven, the hair scattered around his house. Formal invitations are sent to everyone in the village, as well as any friends or family that live in other villages. During this time, each family are only allowed to eat their 2nd best mare. Poorer families are granted a mare from the richer family, or even the lord if no suitable mare is found.
4: Once preparations have been complete, the head of the house for the groom bares the entrance to his home with planks of wood, sealing the soon-to-be-wed inside. It's not until every invited guest has arrived or declined to join can the wedding begin. The brothers and friends of the groom step forward to engage in a short contest of strength: A brief fight. Once a winner is declared, he is given the title of Lord of Feast and asks the head of the house why he has barred the door. "The answer is simple" he replies, "I wish not to lose my son!". The Lord of Feast responds, "Lo! See that you will not lose a son, but gain a daughter!". The Lord of Feast then rips the planks from the entrance, freeing the groom to raucous cheering. The groom steps out barefoot and shouts loudly, "The Sun! The Sky! If only you were as lovely as my betrothed!"
5: The procession is lead by the Lord of Feast to the bride's home, where the first celebration will commence. The entire procession will dance around the home in a traditional triangular pattern, shouting, laughing, singing, and goading the bride to leave the house early. Only when the 2nd moon is at it's peak in the sky will she emerge, inviting everyone inside with a reciting of an ancient poem in True Aberrant. While the main course is the best mare of the herd, all manners of food are present within the tent. The floor will be covered in food, and each guest will take their meal and eat under the stars. The Bride and Groom do not eat, and instead can only drink warm Palava, a herbal wine. Large bonfires are lit, and the dancing continues until the fires die.
6: By the time the fire dies and the sun has risen, each guest dons grey and spends the day fasting, save for the Bride and Groom. They eat of the left over food of the feast and talk. They have important matters to discuss; They must decided which of their Bayanai they must sacrifice in order to officiate their union. This is a very tough discussion, and very often the guests are consulted. However, by the end of the day, they will settle the dispute with much council from their families. At the end of the day, the doomed Bayanai is told of it's fate and it willingly accepts, excited about the immense honor.
7: As the 1st moon rises in the sky, everyone gathers around the wedding arch and altar, the Bayanai comfortably situated behind the two lovers. The lord of the village, to their chagrin, takes the ceremonial wedding spear and sacrifices the Bayanai. "Four become 3, let their home be forever," they shout to the night sky. As the blood pools around the feet of the all under the arch, all manners of poems and prose are read, pieces hand selected by the bride and groom with sentimentality. As the official ceremony winds down, the newlyweds are taken up in the arms of their Bayanai and whisked away to the outskirts of the village.
8: For the next 10 to 30 days, the trio construct themselves a home, selecting the right fabrics and support beams. Only when their home is complete can they consumate their marriage, their bed needing to be covered in blue fabric. As this occurs, the Bayanai must collect several bowes of Oxwood and the piece of something dead. When the couple emerge, they must all burn these things together. Then and only then can they return to the village, where the third and final feast begins.
9: No meat is served at this feast, and all gathered must be wearing rope necklaces. The visitors from other villages will have left, save if the Lord of Feast is a visitor themselves. Songs of friendship, union, and strength are sung around a large vase. Inside the vase are three silver coins. Stories of the couples hardships over the past days are shared and laughed about. The mother of the bride hugs her daughter, tearily saying "Goodbye, goodbye, my sweet little girl". When all that needs to be said has been, the vase is sealed and is given to the couple. The day ends with a final dance, all guests dancing into the thresholds of their own homes.