The "Matroning"

(Describe a winter tradition that exists within one culture of your world. What is celebrated, and what's involved in the festivities?) One of the few traditions celebrated by all three kingdoms of Myranelynia, the "Matroning" holiday holds a great significance during the winter season. While other islands have cold weather and snowfall, Myranelynia hardly gets a chill in the air, and rain becomes a more common occurrence. That does not mean, however, that they lack any holidays during the winter season. One holiday happens every ten years and focuses on the oldest woman in the family. Stories are shared and a special dish is made as a result of this holiday.

History

The tradition's mythological history goes back before Myranelynia (and the other two islands, Kugodor and Ashein) was formed. The Goddess of the island, Thuasis, pregnant with the people and island, was stranded in a cold, icy place. Alone, vulnerable, and hungry, she nearly befell ruin until a minor god, Churus, found her and took her to his warm home. He only let her stay, however, if she gave him something in return. During the harsh winter, she taught him many recipes and ways to make and preserve food. From this, he became the minor God of Food. Once spring came, she thanked him and moved on, later giving birth to the three islands and their people.
From this tale come traditions practiced by everyone. The week-long tradition became implemented into the culture of Myranelynia two centuries before the War of the Islands, about 1235. It has been practiced ever since, up until the present time.

Execution

(For clarity, the oldest female member of the family will be referred to as "the grandmother," and the youngest members of the family will be referred to as "the grandchild/ren")
The grandmother of the family becomes the guest of honor for the week of celebration. Throughout the week, she tells the family many stories about her life and the experiences she had throughout it. On the last day of the traditional week, the grandmother will teach the grandchildren of the house, often the young girls, how to make a certain family recipe, one she kept to herself until this time. Once taught and prepared, the family comes together to share it. If there is any one person or a family who lacks a grandmother, a family with one will invite that person or family to join them for the stories and the food.
There are a few variants from each kingdom and family. One example is that wealthier families will have a traditional dish and many other dishes to go with it. In comparison, poorer families will only have the traditional dish. For Cloudiaons, this is one of the few times that the people will make the elusive "whipped cloud" dish to go along with the traditional dish. Nearly every family makes this, regardless of class or status. For Fountanians, the grandmother will teach the grandchildren the family dish and style their hair and tail a certain way, special to their family alone. For Eartheins, they will buy special parchment and ink to write down the recipe the grandmother tells them. The parchment is then put in a special box that will preserve it until the next generation.
The family dish is only cooked two other times before the family's grandchild becomes the family's grandmother. The first is for the memory of the grandmother, often at the funeral. The second time is before the wedding of the grandchild, especially if they are female. Because the granddaughter will be having children with her husband and they'll learn the recipe on his side, the dish is prepared as a farewell and a transition from one family to another. The granddaughter also has the option of passing it along to another family member, so the recipe is preserved.

Participants

Every family participates in this holiday, no matter the status or wealth of the family. as one would expect, the oldest woman of the household is the most important figure and participant of the holiday.

Observance

This tradition does not happen annually; it instead happens every ten years, with the year ending with '5'. This tradition starts on the last week of the last month of the year and goes into the week of the next month, Phos. Depending on how the days align at the time of the year, the traditional week may start in the middle of the week so it goes into the new year. This is to reflect on how the Goddess stayed with Food God throughout the winter season.

"Matroning" is what the traditional title is translated in the Sea Crossers' language known as "English." It is meant to show that the family's matron is mentoring and sharing information with her family. The more literal translated title is "Week of the Woman Wise Teaching."

Related Ethnicities

• The Myraneisean