Festival of Jenna

There is nothing greater then to love the one you choose to share your path with - Erand Almene

History

Origins

The beginnings of the festival date back to the ancient times long before the Kingdom of Vatia and the Vatian Empire. To a time when the Vatians worshiped pagans gods. The festival was in dedication to Juno, goddess of love, marriage and fertility. This celebration would be dedicated to married couples and lovers to enjoy the time they had with one another and promote sexual activity. These old festivals would involve many things such as abundance of achohol, games, dancing among other things that would consider bizarre and disgusting to modern Vatians.

A Change in Religion

When the Vatians fianlly denounced their old god and choose to follow The Spirit and Flame, the festival was threatened to be outlawed by the Church of the Spirit and Flame. But its dedication the love and loyalty deterred the church from banning it, with only the more sexual and deviant traditions of the festival being removed from it. But it was allowed the retain the name of Jenna as a reminder of the past. It still remains a strong

Execution

Day 1

The day is started of with a ceremony that involves a sermon done by a priest to bless the festival and the couples are given a certain item that depends on the numbers of years that they have been together.
Lovers: They receive a necklace of flowers that represents their blossoming love that has bloomed.
Betrothed: Bracelets made of beads that show they are will to bind themselves to one another.
Married: A chain that splits in two around their waists that forever connects them together.
After that they exchange letters to one another about what they love the most about one another in secret for it is only for them and them alone to hear. The rest of the day is for contemplation about how their love has endured for this long and how to strengthen it.

Day 2

The second day is the contemplate how the couples meet one another and celebrated through dancing and singing. Along with exchanging gifts to one another to remember that day.

Day 3

The day is full of stories done through plays about the true love and the couples that take in them. These tales are often told to small children but it allows them to enjoy themselves with one another.

Day 4

Games are played throughout the day with couples working together in order to win prizes and praise. Along with the Parade of Hearts that takes place, with one couple being crowned the Eternal Hearts for their love for one another.

Day 5

The final day is the most exciting as it is all about merrymaking. With a great feast that with food that took days to make. The feast takes place at night so most couples fast all day to be able to each as much as they want. With a final performance in dedication to love through the play, Hadrian and Julia. Along with a large pile of flowers being thrown into the crowd. Once the it ends everyone does what ever they want wether it’s dancing or drinking. They celebrate till the sun rises the next day and recover from the fun they had.

Components and tools

Many things are used in the festival, such as food, alcohol, wreaths, ribbons banners and flowers. But it would also require ceremonial clothing that allowed to show more exposed skin on men and women.

Participants

The festival was often revolved around married couples and those in love, allowing them to participate in festivities.

Observance

The festival takes places right at the end of month Rebirth when spring finally arrives and all of the crops have been planted. Where it would last for five days and six nights when it starts.

Related Ethnicities

• Vatian