Birdhousing
Birdhousing is a common and versatile tradition in Llakote, known for its love and reverence of birds. Building and gifting a birdhouse can be a sign of devotion between lovers, a way to honor a platonic or familial bond, and even a communal activity to celebrate new settlements or festivals. As a result, most towns and cities in Llakote are adorned with birdhouses of all sizes. Whether or not any birds actually reside there, this tradition gives a unique character to the aptly named Land of Wings.
History
Birdhousing dates back at least two thousand years to the founding of Chinora, considered the birthplace of Llakotan culture. Chinorans began building birdhouses to attract guardian birdfolk, necessary due to the lack of habitat caused by the deforestation of the predecessor civilization of Repho, who were wiped out by that era's Millenium War. Over time, the tradition of making birdhouses evolved into an elaborate system where the size, decoration, material, and interior of the birdhouse all represent something different.
Execution
Each township has a slightly different way of building and gifting birdhouses, resulting in enormous variation across the country. Several major cities have a governing body detailing the "right" way to birdhouse, although it is unclear how much control these groups have.
For example, the southwestern region of Alkata, adjacent to the Blackwood, prizes carved hardwood houses, which are often purely decorative and too small for actual birds. It is tradition for a groom to present his bride with a small, hand-carved birdhouse on the eve of their wedding, which is generally hung over the threshold of their residence. These are often made of dark oaks, walnut, or blackthorns. They are sometimes also given as commemorative gifts to expecting parents or graduating apprentices.
The eastern coast of Llakote could not have more different traditions. Trees are rare, so birdhouses are made of mortared stones and decorated with coral, shells, and colorful fish scales. They are typically much larger to accommodate seabirds, and built by the community to commemorate important anniversaries or consecrate churches. Birdhousing in these areas is seen as a sacred responsibility to appease the gods of the sea, and fishermen here scoff at the flippant nature of birdhousing in other regions of Llakote.
Another instructive example is the central region of Keesar, where life is oriented around the great Kees river. Birdhouses here are constructed of wicker and reed and can be built to surprising sizes. Unlike in Alkata, the goal of birdhousing is to provide an actual habitat to the pigeons and waterfowl that frequent Keesari cities. Birdhouses are everywhere, festooning roofs and eaves, but they wear down frequently due to the materials used, so children learn to weave wicker houses from a young age. They are a common gift to new friends, with the size and ornamentation of the birdhouse indicating the level of your regard. They can equally be used to express romantic interest - many teenagers proudly share their new birdhouses with a friend, only to realize that the style of the entrance and roof suggested something much more intimate.
For example, the southwestern region of Alkata, adjacent to the Blackwood, prizes carved hardwood houses, which are often purely decorative and too small for actual birds. It is tradition for a groom to present his bride with a small, hand-carved birdhouse on the eve of their wedding, which is generally hung over the threshold of their residence. These are often made of dark oaks, walnut, or blackthorns. They are sometimes also given as commemorative gifts to expecting parents or graduating apprentices.
The eastern coast of Llakote could not have more different traditions. Trees are rare, so birdhouses are made of mortared stones and decorated with coral, shells, and colorful fish scales. They are typically much larger to accommodate seabirds, and built by the community to commemorate important anniversaries or consecrate churches. Birdhousing in these areas is seen as a sacred responsibility to appease the gods of the sea, and fishermen here scoff at the flippant nature of birdhousing in other regions of Llakote.
Another instructive example is the central region of Keesar, where life is oriented around the great Kees river. Birdhouses here are constructed of wicker and reed and can be built to surprising sizes. Unlike in Alkata, the goal of birdhousing is to provide an actual habitat to the pigeons and waterfowl that frequent Keesari cities. Birdhouses are everywhere, festooning roofs and eaves, but they wear down frequently due to the materials used, so children learn to weave wicker houses from a young age. They are a common gift to new friends, with the size and ornamentation of the birdhouse indicating the level of your regard. They can equally be used to express romantic interest - many teenagers proudly share their new birdhouses with a friend, only to realize that the style of the entrance and roof suggested something much more intimate.
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