Holidays in Zakhiir

Zakhiir celebrated a number of holidays ranging from city-wide festivals full of color and life, to silent remembrance of the dead. These were the most important holidays of the city state.

Religious Holidays

Every deity of the The Ishkari Pantheon had their own holy days throughout the year.
Founder's Day. This holiday was associated with the goddess of terrible justice, Morgra, and it marked the day that the city of Zakhiir became independent from the crumbling Ishkari Empire. During the celebration, children would dress up in the ancient attire of the original founders, and fight each other on the streets with wooden sabers and papmaché shields painted in beautiful colors. Street vendors would sell traditional Zakhiiran foods, overpriced, and minstrels would dance and sing in the streets, hoping to make a bit of coin for their efforts.
The Heart's Exchange. This holiday was associated with the god of beauty, Ak'ate, and it served as a remembrance to the great patron of the arts, Fezilah Karpishe, who died as a martyr in the name of the great sun god while standing up against the great wyrm of the sands, Vlyktharg, who had come to claim the treasures of the gods. As per tradition, folks would wear a mask of their own design, and keep their faces and identities hidden from each other, to "avoid the gaze of the dragon". Some people would work on their mask for the entirety of the year to show off their artistry. The holiday was also a chance to show beautiful pieces of art, and connect buyer and seller throughout the city, where stalls would take up all available space on the streets. Some of the younger folk had taken a new spin on the holiday by buying and exchanging gifts with one another - a tradition likely introduced by scheming merchants.
The Moonfall. Marking the rare occasion of the alignment of Oerren's two moons, this holiday was associated with the goddess of fate, Nek'ate. Throughout the day, people would stay indoors and spend time with their family, remembering past events and telling stories of their ancestors. Some of these stories had passed down through generations, and were still told with utmost vigor. Coming nightfall, priestesses of the moon goddess would visit each home, and ask for a token of remembrance, which could be a gold piece for those that were not close to the priesthood, or something of greater significance to those that were pious. Sometimes, the priestesses were handed a particularly emotional piece, belonging to a dear one that passed away in the previous year, and the priestesses would offer some relief by taking the token, and its memories, with them.
Student's Jolly. Marking the end of a year of study, and the exams that came in its wake, the Student's Jolly was a holiday associated with the god of knowledge, Ominos. Not just an excuse for partying (although it was certainly seen as such), it was a celebration of knowledge, of coming of age, and of self-empowerment. Students would each stand before a large marble statue of Ominos, and say a prayer to him. The presence of the god was said to cause blushing, a symbol of humility, in the student, indicating that the god had blessed them, and now ushered them into celebrating this greatest day of their life. In the night that followed, the youngsters would enjoy free drinks at the city taverns, and people would throw copper coins in small cups attached to their backs to wish them well in life.
The Sermon of the Snakes. This ancient ritual took place at various times of the year, and remained an important gesture of goodwill towards to the gods - even those gods that were feared for their destructive behavior. During these sermons, disciples of the hungering god of greed and war would walk the streets and put on performances with snakes of different sizes - and training. Snakes were sacred animals in general in Zakhiir, since they were believed to be manifestations of the snake god himself, and so these snake tamers were treated respectfully, and celebrated for the special talent they possessed. Entrancing music were played throughout the day, and music instruments of incredible designs were sold for high prices from the faithful of the deity.
Feast of the Faulty. This very popular holiday was associated with the god of freedom and bravery, Gahim, and it served as a reminder to those in power that they relied upon the kindness and loyalty of those less fortunate than themselves. During the celebrations of the brave god, those with a citizenship or higher rank would open their homes to the less fortunate - to strangers, foreigners, and those that could not afford citizenship themselves. It was said that a lot could be said about a host, judging from the feasts that he or she served these visitors, and it was considered extremely rude to keep your doors closed. Most hosts would join in the feasts, comfort their visitors, and even cook the meals themselves for their visitors.
The Black Night. This holiday was associated with the god of the underworld, K'toth, and it served as a reminder that life is to be celebrated while it is being lived - for a grim fate awaits us all. In the days leading up to the festival, performers of every ilk visited the cities and towns, putting on grand shows for no fee whatsoever - although donations were welcome. For three days, the streets would be alive with colorful costumes and sweet treats made especially for the celebration. On the final day of the festival, people retreated to their homes, and stayed there for three additional days, where they would at least attempt to stay awake (although few were able to). As the lack of sleep increased anxiety levels, it was believed that they got closer to the god, and closer to the ultimate truth. It was one of the periods of the year where almost no one would work, and the city would be dead silent, or filled with the cries of unruly youngsters. Such was the will of the god that celebrated both life and death.