Egg-Bearers Celebration

The Doun Hoigh are unlike most sapient creatures in that they are sexless and reproduce via eggs developed in the womb of certain individuals. Though the number varies among subspecies (and is influenced by factors like diet and exercise), this is never more than 10% of the population. These few members are called Parents, Egg Bearers, Numwein, and Lodr Heil and are viewed of a different social ranking. In the festival known sometimes as Parents Day, Lodr Muffevi, and--most commonly in non-Doun Hoighan cultures--Egg-Bearers Celebration, new Parents are recognized and celebrated as progenitors of their race.

Parents of the Dough Hoigh

In most cultures, the status of parent is recognized and respected long before any festival. The biology of a parent differs significantly from others and can be discerned by any doctor or druid as early as the age of 4. Some communities, so enthused with their future parent, begin preparations for the festival as early as the diagnosis.
The festival is held around the age of 16 which is 1-2 years before a parent will lay their eggs. Though it is labeled a celebration, the historical purpose of the festival was to prepare the parent for their duty to their children and their community. In the rare case that a parent has their eggs before 16, a post-birthing festival is usually mandated though often with less fanfare. Indeed, there is a biological correlation to these early parents and premature births in mammal species which is viewed negatively by most Doun Hoighan cultures. The Doun Hoigh of Manatz go as far as to exile such parents for fear of the "early-birthing" sickness they are believed to carry.

The Celebration

The festival lasts only a single day and is a rapid affair. The new parents are assembled in the town's gathering place in the early morning where they are showered with gifts from the rest of the community. This aspect of the festival closely resembles a baby shower and is marked by a sense of communal bonding.
Soon after, existing parents of the community will take them to a chosen house and instruct them in the ways of parenthood. Over a course of many hours, the new parents learn of the birthing process, breastfeeding and eventually weaning the newborns, balancing discipline and affection, and their responsibilities as parents to the rest of the community.
At sundown, the exhausted new parents are treated to a grand dinner prepared by the rest of the town who have fasted since morning. No alcohol or drugs are permitted for concern of the newborns already gestating in their wombs which is why this meal is often referred to as the Clean Feast.
The next day, the new parents are immediately enmeshed in the politics of the town and join the other parents in town meetings and voting.

In Mixed Communities

Since the descent of Helenaphe, Doun Hoigh have been notably mixed into other societies, especially gathering in cities. In communities with very few Doun Hoigh, the parent celebration may be skipped entirely. More often, however, is that non-Doun Hoighans are invited to participate as well. In places like New Oriole, were racial tensions have historically ran hot, these celebrations are often clandestine affaris. But in places such as Sunnyland-Aster and Canterlund, the celebration becomes ingrained into the local calendar and is rebranded as a "Mothers day" of sorts where mothers of all races are prided for their work and treated with special kindness.