Due to their studies of the heavens as navigational tools, the Ni'kashiga Birdfolk have a firm understanding and segmenting of time.
Birdfolk separate their days into hours, their weeks into days, their months into weeks, their years into months, and their cycles into years, each "trued" to the larger Directional Hex. This tendency to "True" means that it is impossible to discuss the structure of a month without looking at the structure of a year and within a cycle.
General Structure
A Month, composed of four weeks of seven days each, is generally referred to as a
Sha'ge, or a hand.
There are thirteen months in one year, each "trued" to the Directional Hex, rotating counterclockwise (or reflecting back over time) through not only the cardinal and secondary directions, but also to the notations of both Corvus and Coyotl. It is believed that this reverse rotation, contrasted with the clockwise motion of the days through the Hex, keeps the world and time in balance.
In addition, the start of year contains a day into itself, not considered part of any month. It is considered to be set aside as a holiday and a meditation on the life one has. It is traditionally a time of gratitude and assessment.
Much like the sequence of days and weeks within a month set an inner philosophical tone for the Ni'kashiga to live their lives, each
Sha'ge hand directs the outer or external actions of the Birdfolk as they move through the year.
Months of the Year
A year is referred to as
A'hu, or a wing. Sometimes, it may be called an
a'a, or arm, but the expression is uncommon.
A sample
A'hu would contain as follows:
A Sample Year among the Ni'kashiga Birdfolk
A layout of the Sha'ge (Hand Months) of the Year.
| Month | Trued to | Equivalent Dates | A month for... |
|---|
| Wahceka / Newness | New Years Day | Sept 21st | A Day of Reflection and Assessment |
| Nan'htan / Earlobe | Corvus | Sep 22nd through Oct 19th | Begins with the day of shedding, and is a month for harvesting/preparing for the winter by reaping work done |
| Opxan / Elk | Peak | Oct 20th through Nov 16th | when the Elk would move South. A sign that winter is coming. |
| Su' / Seed | Fern | Nov 17th through Dec 14th) | creating stores, conserving energy and resources |
| In'shtanha' / eyelid | Eye | December 15th through Jan 11th | contains the winter solstice: the eye begins to open |
| Manhinspe / Axe | Shelter | Jan 12th through Feb 8th | cold snaps and using firewood. |
| Zhan'hcuk^a / Tinder | Cleft | Feb 9th through March 8th | dangerous wildfires spread by wind |
| Ethe'zeh / Tongue | Coyotl | March 9th through April 5th | contains the spring equinox, the season of coyotl begins (fertility). Eggs are laid around the end of this month |
| Man'peza / Wasp | Flat | April 6th through May 3rd | seeking new ground. Even the winds look for new places! The winds shift during this month. |
| Niiskue / Salt | Bone | May 4th through May 31st | the world to be in motion: most journeys have already started or will start during this month |
| Hpa'tazi / Yolk | Egg | June 1st through June 28th | the hottest weather of the year. Female eggs are hatched at this time. |
| Cexeni' / Drum | Boat | June 29th through July 26th | Caravels navigate summer storms. Caravans navigate the slow summer fires and mild dust storms. |
| Manzhanwaleze / Map | Vessel | July 27th through August 23rd | steering home, settling affairs |
| Wazhaihci / Tent | Center | August 24th through Sep 20th | preparing for the changes and reflecting on one's place in the world. Traditionally one would be at home. Literally translates to "communal tent/nest." Male eggs are hatched at this time. |
Years of a Cycle
Finally, the Birdfolk contain each
A'hu within a larger cycle of years, called an
A'ce, or an embrace. An
A'ce holds four years, completed by the inclusion of an additional holiday which stands alone from the rest of the cycle.
A Cycle Among the Ni'kashiga Birdfolk
A standard cycle of years.
| Name of Year | Position | An Auspicious Year for... |
|---|
| Winga'hu / First Wing | first year in a cycle | Starting |
| Thonpaha'hu / Second Wing | second year cycle | Taking (on, of, with). Typically refers to debt or obligation; the second year of a business is considered the most difficult. |
| Tha'bthina'hu / Third Wing | third year cycle | Settling (of accounts, evening out, stability) |
| To'paa'hu / Fourth Wing | fourth year cycle | Giving (donations of extra, mentoring, otherwise sharing to those less fortunate) |
| We'nancea'ce / literally "a sated fullness of embrace" | the extra day added before New Year | A day when life choices may be reset. A popular day for mate ceremonies, job transfers, or amicable partings. |
Formally, one would write the 11th month of the second year as
Thonpaha'hu Cexeni', or Second Wing Drum.
Abbreviated descriptions exist; it is not uncommon to hear one refer to thonpaha'hu Cexeni' as
tho^Cexeni', or, loosely, "Second Drum."
Ethon waited in line for what felt like hours, before the Kahikezi motioned him forward. The bureaucrat looked over his papers, reviewed the signaturors assessments, asked a few questions, and then - with much less ceremony than Ethon expected - signed the formal request for the occupational transfer and handed him chits for the purchase of new haawalele.
Once outside, Ethon took a moment to stand in the shade of the awning, looking over his paperwork: the transfer was slated to begin Winga'hu Zahn'hkuc^a Pa'leke Pa'ce. His mind turned over the dates as he walked home, to give the news to where his mate Lida awaited.
"You're back already!" She looked pleased to see him, and her braka was fond, yet quivering with excitement. "How did it go?"
Ethon gave a broad smile. "I transfer Wi'Zahn'hkuc^a, on Pa'leke Pa'ce!"
Lida's smile faltered. "Zahn'hkuc^a? That early?" She was much more traditional than him; he could tell that the transfer during Tinder Hand disturbed her: for him to transfer to a new venture, during such a dangerous month? Even if he wasn't traveling to the west with the caravans, there were plenty who would find the timing unsettling. And, he realized, Lida had a jealous streak, too: him leaving before Ethe'zeh would leave her alone to lay eggs at best, or find him to breed this year with other mates, at worst.
Ethon presented a confident smile, and extended his hands to hers, pulling her close. "I'm sure it's just to give me the advance to acclimate to the new caravan. We probably wouldn't depart until Wi'Man'peza, and that's even if they send me this Wing." He held her tightly, preening her crown feathers reassuringly. Besides, he thought to himself, all of that old Ok^on were just superstitions. Surely nothing would go wrong, other than perhaps a few ruffled feathers.
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