Breakup Season
This far north,
the winter starts early and ends late. As the days get shorter and shorter as winter approaches, the temperatures go down drastically. Finally, one day in late autumn, the sun doesn't rise at all for another sixty-seven days. This cold snap opens entirely new and very temporary trails and roadways, the rivers and waterways freezing solidly enough to support wagon trains of goods and people from the docks and warehouses down on the River Wutjörn. Then, one day, the sun rises again, and the first sheen of water begins to glisten on the hard-packed snow and hanging ice. The ice roads are hurriedly closed, the locals all break out their knee-high 'breakup boots' to replace their winter mukluks, and the betting begins! It has become a festival, with food from all over, dog-sled mushing, and birch-syrup candies. Roasted elk and venison are served traditionally, along with smoked whale blubber and pickled herring. Colorful banners are strung throughout towns and hamlets in celebration of the life giving sun returning from her months-long sleep. There are jokes about the number of children born nine months after the Official Breakup.History
This has been a tradition of the Northmen since before written or sung history.
Execution
A tripod with a string is placed on the frozen river. When the tripod collapses as the ice sheet below it breaks up so water can flow, a string attached to the tripod will yank on a string, which in turn will yank on a bell close to the river's edge. Whomever bets on the correct time, to the minute, wins the entire (substantial) pot of coins.
Components and tools
A tripod made of birch trees, and hemp twine, and a brass bell.
Participants
All the locals take part, young and old. They all bring food, trying to one up each other in tasty and visually stunning ways. Ice sculptures seem to erupt from the ground this time of year.
Observance
When the sun rises after the months-long dark of winter.
Primary Related Location
Related Ethnicities
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