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."
The volatile weather of New Flood, with its sudden deluge of rainfall, makes the tribe's river reader an essential figure to survival. As the rain pours into the canyons, swelling the river to twice its normal size, the river reader instinctively knows the effects these actions will have and prepares the tribe for the consequences. It is also the river reader who is first to see the river begin to shrink again after the initial floods and this information is passed on to the tribe's chief in preparation for the upcoming New Flood Feast.
The celebration is then set to coincide with the next full moon, spanning a total period of three days. Preparations are immediately set into action. Pond beds are dredged for their sand, which will be used on the rock shores of the river for sand sculpting; fishing spears are repaired or made anew, flutes and whistles of many varieties are carved and tuned to perfection, the symbol maker mixes and steeps the ceremonial dyes, crafters create a variety of river-themed items and the tanners sew requested specialty clothing.
Since New Flood is a time of light and many of the activities require daytime, the elves extend their wakefulness into the early morning and late afternoon hours during the celebration. In particular, fishing activities occur during dawn and dusk when fish have come out to feed and mimickery contests are held during daylight when songbirds are plentiful. Gathering is also most easily accomplished with some amount of daylight. Evening is reserved for the grand feast and many pleasurable activities, such as dancing and swimming.
The highlight to the New Flood Feast is the traditional elderfish hunt, which is held in early morning of the second day. The teams of elderfish hunters take to the Rushwater River, armed only with spears and their wits, to land the biggest, strongest fish of the region. The hunt is carried out in the submerged depths and only the most talented fishers with the most dynamic pairing are victorious against the mighty elderfish. Of the teams that actually manage to land an elderfish for the night's feast, the pair that lands the biggest - and thus the largest contribution to the feast - are granted the coveted status of River Masters during the remainder of the celebration.
River Masters enjoy a special ceremonial authority. They are marked with the symbols of New Flood by the tribe's symbol maker, garbed in special ceremonial robes and adorned with fresh floral crowns. The River Masters are responsible for opening the dancing, judging contests with the tribe's chief and Hunt leader and they are given first choice of all the finest foodstuffs.
The grand feast is held the evening of the second day. The previously caught elderfish are carefully skinned and de-boned. The hides are set aside for a special curing process and the bones are saved for tools. The oil is also carefully drained from them and reserved for many uses. Other fish caught during the day are similarly de-scaled, de-boned and have their oil removed. Skooters are specially quick-boiled, then cooled. Bird and crocodilian eggs and mussels are slowly roasted in the coals of an open fire pit. Fish eggs are served as is from large shell dishes. Fresh dreamberries preserved in honey are provided by the tribe's howl keeper and make for a gooey sweet treat. When the whole affair is ready for serving, it is carried down to the riverbank in a prominent procession of much fanfare. The chief may take a moment to express a few words or share in a tribal sending before the River Masters begin the feast with choosing their selections.
As the feast winds down the music, singing and dancing begin. Music is predominantly comprised of flutes and whistles - to mimic spring songbirds - with a subtler drum rhythm in the background. A variety of traditional songs are sung, both in unison and solo, and individuals are welcome to share a new song they have created, which many do especially for the celebration. The River Masters open the dancing by either dancing together or selecting a mate or mates to dance with, after which the rest of the tribe is free to join in. Music, singing and dancing continue into the third day when a songbird mimickery contest is held. Interpretative dance often portraying the elaborate mating displays of popular river and forest fauna spring up and dance may also accompany storytelling events.
While many sporting events occur throughout the first two days of celebration, contests are normally reserved for the final day. Swimming and diving competitions are open to all members of the tribe. Cubs enjoy trying their skill at bare-handed fishing in the shallows as well as fervent stone skipping contests. More artistic individuals of the tribe take to the shores for the sand sculpting event. The competition judging panel is comprised of the two River Masters, the chief and the Hunt leader. The tribe's river reader acts as tie-breaker when necessary.
As dawn of the fourth day approaches, exhaustion typically has set into the tribe. Tree dens are sought for some much needed recuperation time. What little food may be left is carefully preserved and stored for later consumption or given to wolf-friends. Supplies obtained from the celebration, such as elderfish hides, bones and oil are treated and life slowly returns to its normal rhythm.
During the length of the New Flood Feast, the tribe's wolf pack is the primary guards against hostile threats - crocodilians are the biggest threat - as the elves relax and cut loose. Low to mid-ranking wolves are responsible for this guard duty, while higher ranking wolves tend to enjoy a more leisurely involvement. Wolves are also famous for nicking caught fish, splashing and swimming in the shallows and sun bathing on the rocky shores during this time.