Spiritual Feast

A Feast for the Dead

We can't ask for help without giving something in return. Let us organise a feast for the spirits. Maybe then the ancestors will provide us with the aid we need.

— Kaarina Vešinan

Orange Pumpkin by Jessica Lewis

When life gets rough and a family is in need of help, most Saralians turn to their ancestors. They try communicating with their spirits by making offerings and remembering their deeds. Sometimes they come happily, ready to assist their descendants, but some spirits are more selfish. The Spiritual Feast is one way of gaining the ancestors' favour.

The traditional time to hold a Spiritual Feast is on Rebirth Day. During tough times, a family can choose to hold the feast without it being the usual date. While most don't care when the feast happens, some spirits are staunchly against breaking tradition.

The Two Feasts

There are two stages to the Spiritual Feast. The first stage is for the family itself. They will begin the feast by eating their meals. Once everything has been consumed, the second phase will begin. The oldest member of the family will bring out the meals for the dead. If they are incapable of doing so, the second oldest will have to take on their responsibilities.

Family's Meal

The typical family meal during a spiritual feast involves whatever the family can get in their local region. Typical Saralian rye bread, potato salad, sauerkraut, pickled pumpkin, and fresh fried carp are all commonly seen on tables. Kvass, beer, milk, water, and cider are the most common drinks. The better, more expensive meals are reserved for the spirits of the ancestors.

Ancestors' Meal

Once the family has finished eating, the eldest will bring out the spirits' meals. These include smoked fish and meat, baked potatoes and sugared rhubarb as dessert. The best drinks in the household are served only to the ancestors during the feast. What the drinks are, depend on the wealth of the family. It can involve wine, whiskey, vodka, or any other strong alcoholic beverages.

Once the meals have been placed on the table, the family will go and sleep. When they wake up, the spirits should be pleased, and the living will have to dispose of the leftover meals by burning the food. Leaving the ancestors a bad meal will only bring misfortune, and it's avoided at all cost.

Related Ethnicities

• Saralian

Long Tables

SInce the Saralians want to show respect toward their ancestors, they leave extra room at the table for them. During the spiritual feast, half of the chairs are reserved for the dead. These long tables mean that Saralian have to have larger rooms to dine in.
Households that don't have enough room for a typical long table can instead use two different tables. One of these small tables can be wherever the family wants it to be and it will be reserved for the dead.

Potatoes by Marco Antonio Victorino