The elfin community, while set in a primitive time period, is rich in cultural details. The elves possess a deeply rooted sense of spirituality and a strong connection to both the physical and spiritual worlds within and without, leading to a varied and colourful hertiage steeped in rites of passage and celebrations set in tune with their environment.
Rites of Passage
First Hunt
Time: Any
The first hunt is something of excitement and anticipation for young elves. First hunts generally occur when an elf is around 10 years of age and when the Hunt Leader feels the cub is ready. Usually the Hunt Leader and/or a Hunt supervisor will accompany the eager young hunters on their first hunt. The cubs are allowed to choose their hunting territory and prey (within reason) and are expected to bring down the kill themselves. Although a first hunt may occur at any season, the elves try to avoid the particularly bad weather bouts of spring and autumn. Updated info forthcoming.
Soul Name Search
Time: Any
Possibly the most important event in a Rushwater Holt elf's life, the soul name search often occurs when an elf is between the ages of 15-20 years. The young elf sets out on his/her own away from the holt without his/her wolf-friend. He/she carries only one weapon for protection during the half turn of mother moon while searching through meditation for his/her soul name. Similar to the first hunt, soul name searches happen at any season but it is preferred that the dangerous weather of spring floods and autumn storms be avoided. Updated info forthcoming.
Name Change
Time: Any
It is common among Rushwater Holt elves to take on different names as they age. This may be done by an elf simply choosing an adult name or it may also be due to a special circumstance warranting so. New names may also be given by others, especially the chieftain. Elves choosing a new adult name usually do so after having successfully completed their soul name search since they now more fully understand their true being. Updated info forthcoming.
Celebrations
New Flood Feast
Time: Early to mid New Flood (spring), a 3-day celebration during the height of the full moon.
Location: Rushwater River and surrounding pools, lagoons and grottos.
"The grand feast of reawakening after the stillness of Bloom Rest." Read more...
Highbelt's Hunt
Time: Early Long Sun (summer)
A traditional boar hunt held in summer in honour of the founding of Rushwater Holt. A boar was the first kill in the newly formed Rushwater Holt when Highbelt moved the tribe to World's Veins, thus it is named in his honour. Updated info forthcoming.
Taal
Time: Long Sun (summer)
Taal is a special hunting/tag game played by the adults of the tribe. Pre-determined game boundaries are set up and the elves go out into the forest, armed only with specially carved Taal sticks. Wolf-friends are not allowed and the elves, either singly or in small groups, stalk each other, attempting to tag the other elves with their Taal sticks. Cubs also play a similar version of this tag game around the holt. Updated info forthcoming.
Dreamberry Feast & Chieftain Howl
Time: Storm Rage (autumn)
Autumn has come and the dreamberry bushes are loaded with ripe dreamberries - it's up to the elves to releave these poor bushes of their all too heavy burdens! A true dreamberry chow-down and a lot of totally sloshed elves! Also accompanying the dreamberry feast is a special howl for the past chieftains. Stories of the old chiefs and their adventures are often told and their departed spirits are howled for. A time to drift in the colours of the NOW of wolfsong. Updated info forthcoming.
Dance of Joining
Time: Mid to late Storm Rage (autumn)
Wolfriders follow suit of the pack wolves and fireflies with their own dance of joining - adults only, please... Updated info forthcoming.
Grand Bonfire
Time: Bloom Rest (winter)
A large bonfire is erected near the holt - a time to dance out the old year and in the new! Updated info forthcoming.
Additional Events
Wolf Bonding
Time: New Flood (spring)
An elf's first wolf bonding generally occurs when the elf is around 5-7 years of age and the new spring litters have arrived. Later bondings by older elves often also occur in the spring with the birth of new life but elves have been known to bond with older wolves from the pack. Bondings with neighbouring wolf packs are extremely rare. Updated info forthcoming.
Tribal Howls
Time: Any
These are the common tribal howls of the Wolfriders and may occur for various reasons (births, deaths, victories, successful hunts, etc.) or for no reason at all. Like their wolf companions, the Wolfriders do not know why they howl, only that they must. Tribal howls are a group gathering, sharing time and are often full of songs, stories, and the NOW of wolfsong. Updated info forthcoming.