The Pledging Silo
Purpose / Function
A grain silo that is never filled and is part of the ceremony to bless that year's harvest for the farmers. Part of the Festival of Sowing where not only are crops planted at this time, but music, dancing, the parade, and games fill the entire town. The parade begins near sunset and is part of the ceremony known as the Assurance Ceremony. In the parade people will show off their best item of value. The value is not always monetary. The value can be the labor that was put into crafting the item or the brain power used to come up with an idea. The item whatever it may be is on a wagon decorated for the festivities. Once they reach the pledge silo a prayer is read to the twin goddesses of farming Cassia and Eshe. There comes a moment in the prayer where those who participated bring forth their items and place them inside of the silo. As the item is being placed the person might say the words, "This gives me assurance" or "I remember the promise" Once all items are placed inside the following words are spoken by all, "We pledge to work hard. To respect the land. To not over use the land and give it rest come Winter. These items are our promise. We receive the goddesses promise in return. The doors are closed to the silo and magically sealed until next season. The silo glows with otherwordly light as the goddesses examine the gifts in the silo. It is believed that if the harvest is good later than the goddesses approved of the items given. If the harvest is bad then they found an item displeasing. A few people believe that if the harvest is bad it is because one of the people who gave something did not hold to their end of the promise.
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