Calendar
AHN
Gorean Hour is 40 ehn is equal to 72 earth minutes.
"The shadows of the pasang stones had grown long, and, judging by the angle of these shadows (for the stones are set in such a way aas to serve also as sundials) it was past the fourteenth Gorean Ahn, or hour."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 26.
CAMERIUS
Gorean 3rd month, in Ar.
"He did so late in spring, on the sixteenth day of the third month, that month which in Ar is called Camerius in Koroba Selnar."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 234-235.
DAY
20 ahn is equal to 24 earth hours.
"There is also a system of latitude and longitude figured on the basis of the Gorean day, calculated in Ahn, twenty of which constitute a Gorean day, and Ehn and Ihn, which are subdivisions of the Ahn, or Gorean hour."
Nomads of Gor, Pg. 3.
EHN
Gorean Minute is 80 ihn, and equal to 108 earth seconds. "Each Ahn consists of forty Ehn, or minutes, and each Ehn of eighty Ihn, or seconds."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 26.
EN'KARA
Gorean New Year, possibly in Earth's March.
"It was now the month of the vernal equinox on Gor, called En'Kara, or the First Kara. The full expression is En'Kara-Lar-Torvis, which means, rather literally, The First Turning of the Central Fire."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 178.
EN'VAR-LAR-TORVIS
Gorean fourth month, possibly June.
"As might be expected there are related expressions for the months of the solstices, En'Var-Lar-Torvis and Se'Var-Lar-Torvis, or, again rather literally, The First Resting and the Second Resting of the Central Fire. These, however, like the other expressions, usually occur in speech only as En'Var and Se'Var, or The First Resting, and The Second Resting."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 178.
GOREAN NEW YEAR
Celebrated every fourth year on a separate day between the Waiting Hand of the previous year and the first day of the first Hand of En`Kara. "The twelfth Passage Hand is followed by the Waiting Hand, a five-day period prior to the vernal equinox, which marks the Gorean New Year."
Tribesman of Gor, Pg. 26..
IHN
Gorean Second, is equal to 1.35 earth seconds.
"Each Ahn consists of forty Ehn, or minutes, and each Ehn of eighty Ihn, or seconds."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 26.
MONTH
En-'Kara, or En-'Kara-Lar-Torvis, En-'Var, or En-'Var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis, Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis.
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar..."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 78.
PASSAGE HAND
Five days that follow each month that marks the passage from one month to the next.
"Each month, containing five five-day weeks, is separated by a five-day period, called the Passage Hand, from every other month..."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 78.
SE'KARA-LAR-TORVIS
Gorean seventh month, possibly September.
"The month of the autumnal equinox is called fully Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis, but usually simply Se-Kara, The Second Kara, or The Second Turning."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 178.
SELNAR
Gorean third month, in Koroba.
"He did so late in spring, on the sixteenth day of the third month, that month which in Ar is called Camerius in Koroba Selnar."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 234-235.
SE'VAR-LAR-TORVIS
Gorean tenth month, possibly December.
"As might be expected there are related expressions for the months of the solstices, En'Var-Lar-Torvis and Se'Var-Lar-Torvis, or, again rather literally, The First Resting and the Second Resting of the Central Fire. These, however, like the other expressions, usually occur in speech only as En'Var and Se'Var, or The First Resting, and The Second Resting."
Outlaw of Gor, Pg. 178.
WAITING HAND
At the end of the twelfth Gorean month is a 5 day waiting hand, during which the passing of the old year is mourned.
"...which begins with the Vernal Equinox, not only by a Passage Hand, but by another five-day period called the Waiting Hand, during which doorways are painted white, little food is eaten, little is drunk and there is to be no singing or public rejoicing in the city;..."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 78.
WEEK
One hand.
"Following each month, of which there are twelve, separating them, is a five-day Passage Hand."
Tribesman of Gor, Pg. 26. .
GOREAN CALENDAR
A record of the year, is divided into twelve twenty-five day months.
"It was the fourth day of the sixth passage hand, shortly before the Autumnal Equinox, which in the common Gorean calendar begins the month of Se'Kara."
Raiders of Gor, Pg. 1.
MONTH OF EN'KARA (THE FIRST TURNING)
"The night that Phyllis Robertson, under the torches in the hall of Cernus, while we supped, performed the belt dance, was the last day of the Eleventh passage hand, about a month before the Gorean New Year, which occurs on the Vernal Equinox, the first day of the month of En'Kara."
Assassin of Gor, page 205.
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
|
| First Hand | March 21-25 | Gorean New Year |
| * | * | Fair of En'Kara |
| * | * | Return to Turia |
| Second Hand | March 26-30 | * |
| Third Hand | March 31-April 4 | * |
| Fourth Hand | April 5-9 | * |
| Fifth Hand | April 10-14 | * |
| First Passage Hand | April 15-19 | Planting Feast of Sa-Tarna |
GOREAN NEW YEAR
On the day of the Vernal equinox (March 21), many northern Gorean cities, including Ar, celebrate the Gorean New Year. Typically upon this day a celebration takes place, doors are painted green, and a city-wide festival is held, lasting for two full Gorean hands (ten days). Every fourth year the New Year is celebrated on the extra day which occurs between the Waiting Hand and the day of the equinox.
"The twelfth Passage Hand is followed by the Waiting Hand, a five-day period prior to the vernal equinox, which marks the Gorean New Year."
Tribesman of Gor, Pg. 26.
SARDAR FAIRS
The Gorean equivalent of the World's Fair on Earth, these are four huge trade fairs held quarterly in the shadow of the Sardar Mountain Range. Each young person of Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the foot of the Sardar Mountains before he or she reaches their 25th birthday. They typically last ten full days and are scheduled to coincide with the solstices and equinoxes.
THE FAIR OF EN'KARA (March 21st-March 30th)
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En-'Kara, or En-'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En-'Var, or En-'Var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis,and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 79.
THE RETURN TO TURIA
The last day of the Second Hand of En'Kara (March 30th) is traditionally the day which marks the beginning of The Season of Little Grass for the Wagon Peoples, and shortly thereafter they begin the long trek from their winter pastures back to Turia.
"In the thinking of the Wagon Peoples, it is called the Omen Year, though the Omen Year is actually a season,
rather than a year, which occupies a part of two of their regular years, for the Wagon Peoples calculate the year from Season of Snows to the Season of Snows; Turians, incidentally, figure the year from summer solstice to summer solstice; Goreans generally, on the other hand, figure the year from vernal equinox to vernal equinox, their new year beginning, like nature's, with the spring; the Omen Year, or season, lasts several months, and consists of three phases, called the Passing of Turia, which takes place in the fall; the Wintering, which takes place north of Turia and commonly south of the Cartius, the equator of course lying to the north in this hemisphere; and the Return to Turia, in the spring, or, as the Wagon Peoples say, in the Season of Little Grass."
Nomads of Gor, Pg. 11.
THE PLANTING FEAST OF SA-TARNA
A complex feast celebrated by most Gorean cities early during the growing season, and believed by many to ensure a rich harvest for the year ahead. Numerous rituals are performed during the three days of the feast (April 16th-18th) by members of the caste of Initiates, and members of each of the five high castes perform their own part of the ceremony during that three-day period. Most of these rituals consist of sacrifices or prayers to the Priest Kings conducted in the presence of the city Home Stone. On the final eve of the feast, the Home Stone is placed beneath the sky, typically atop the tallest cylinder in the city, and sprinkled with sa-tarna grain and ka-la-na wine by a dignitary of the city, often the Administrator, Ubar, or a member of the ruling family.
"The next would be the Planting Feast of Sa-Tarna, the Life-Daughter, celebrated early in the growing season to insure a good harvest."
Tarnsman of Gor, Pg. 68.
HESIUS (THE SECOND MONTH)
"The month of Hesius is the second month of the year in Ar. It follows the first passage hand. In Ar, as in most cities in the northern hemisphere, the new year begins with the vernal equinox."
Magicians of Gor, page 107.
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
|
| First Hand | April 20-24 | * |
| Second Hand | April 25-29 | * |
| Third Hand | April 30-May 4 | * |
| Fourth Hand | May 5-9 | * |
| Fifth Hand | May 10-14 | * |
| Second Passage Hand | May 15-19 | Games of Love War |
GAMES OF LOVE WARS
The Wagon People compete against the Warriors of Turia on the Plain of Stakes during the Second Passage Hand (May 15th-19th) in mid-spring, participating in various challenges and ceremonial-combats in order to exchange FreeWomen for slaves.
"The institution of Love War is an ancient one among the Turians and the Wagon Peoples, according to the Year Keepers antedating even the Omen Year. The games of Love War, of course, are celebrated every spring between, 80 to speak, the city and the plains, whereas the Omen Year occurs only every tenth year. The games of Love War, in themselves, do not constitute a gathering of the Wagon Peoples, for normally the herds and the free women of the peoples do not approach one another at these times; only certain delegations of warriors, usually about two hundred from a people, are sent in the spring to the Plains of a Thousand Stakes."
"The theoretical justification of the games of Love War, from the Turian point of view, is that they provide an excellent arena in which to demonstrate the fierceness and prowess of Turian warriors, thus perhaps intimidating or, at the very least, encouraging the often overbold warriors of the Wagon Peoples to be wary of Turian steel."
Nomads of Gor, Pgs. 115-116.
MONTH OF CAMERIUS
"He did so late in spring, on the sixteenth day of the third month, that month which in Ar is called Camerius in Ko-ro-ba Selnar."
Assassin of Gor, page 234.
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | May 20-24 | * |
| Second Hand | May 25-29 | * |
| Third Hand | May 30-June 3 | * |
| Fourth Hand | June 4-8 | * |
| Fifth Hand | June 9-13 | * |
| Third Passage Hand | June 14-18 | * |
MONTH OF EN'VAR (FIRST RESTING)
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | June 19-23 | Turian New Year |
* | * | Sadar Fair of En'Var |
| Second Hand | June 24-28 | * |
| Third Hand | June 29-July 3 | * |
| Fourth Hand | July 4-8 | * |
| Fifth Hand | July 9-13 | * |
| Fourth Passage Hand | July 14-18 | * |
TURIAN NEW YEAR
The people of Turia and other southern regions celebrate their own new year on the day of the Summer Solstice (June 21st). A ten day period of revelry follows, similar to the New Year celebrations in northern cities.
"Most Gorean cities use the Spring Equinox as
the date of the New Year. Turia, however, uses the Summer Solstice."
Marauders of Gor, Pg. 58..
SARDAR FAIR
The Gorean equivalent of the World's Fair on Earth, these are four huge trade fairs which are held quarterly in the shadow of the Sardar Mountain Range. Each young person of Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the foot of the Sardar Mountains before he or she reaches their 25th birthday. They typically last ten full days (plus at least that long for set up and break down) and are scheduled to coincide with the solstices and equinoxes. The Fair of En`Var (June 19th-June 28th)
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months,
associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En-'Kara, or En-'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En-'Var, or En-'Var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, orSe'Kara-Lar-Torvis, and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 79
FIFTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | July 19-23 | * |
| Second Hand | July 24-28 | * |
| Third Hand | July 29-August 2 | * |
| Fourth Hand | August 3-7 | * |
| Fifth Hand | August 8-12 | Kajuralia in Ar |
| Fifth Passage Hand | August 13-17 | Love Feast in Ar |
KAJURALIA
"The Festival of Slaves", is held in most Gorean cities except Port Kar, where it is not celebrated at all, on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand (March 15th). In Ar, it is celebrated on the last day of the fifth month (August 12th), the day which precedes the Love Feast. Upon this day, slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted them during the year, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will (provided of course they do not attempt to escape from their owners permanently), the freedom to choose their own sexual partners and to couch with slaves of the opposite sex whom they find attractive, temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play (minor) tricks and practical jokes upon FreePersons. After the twentieth ahn, however, they are expected to be back in their respective kennels and slave quarters to resume the services required by their imbonded status; slaves who "go renegade" during Kajuralia are typically punished severely if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
"The Kajuralia, or the Holiday of Slaves, or Festival of Slaves, occurs in most of the northern, civilized cities of known Gor once a year. The only exception to this that I know of is Port Kar, in the delta of the Voisk. The date of the Kajuralia, however differs. Many cities celebrate it on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand, the day before the beginning of the Waiting Hand; in Ar, however, and certain other cities, it is celebrated on the last day of the fifth month, which is the day preceding the Love
Feast."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 229..
LOVE FEAST
Five day celebration within Ar, held during the Fifth Passage Hand (August 13th-17th). It is a time wherein many slaves are sold; the fourth day of the Love Feast (August 16th) is typically considered the climax of the festival in regard to the sale of slaves. The fifth day (August 17th) is normally reserved for great contests and spectacles in the Stadium of Blades, grand races in the Stadium of Tarns, great Kaissa championships and general celebratory feasting.
"Little then remained for them except to review their lessons, eat and sleep well, and be in prime condition for their sale in the late summer, during the Fifth Passage Hand, on the Love Feast."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 211..
SIXTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | August 18-22 | * |
| Second Hand | August 23-27 | * |
| Third Hand | August 28-September 1 | * |
| Fourth Hand | September 2-6 | * |
| Fifth Hand | September 7-11 | * |
| Sixth Passage Hand | September 12-16 | * | |
MONTH OF SE'KARA (THE SECOND TURNING)
"Normally, as I may have mentioned, these communities are isolated from one another, but it was now near the Autumnal Equinox, and the month of Se'Kara was shortly to begin."
Raiders of Gor, page 17..
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | September 17-21 | * |
| Second Hand | September 22-26 | Passing of Turia |
| * | * | Fair of Se'Kara |
| Third Hand | September 27-Oct 1 | * |
| Fourth Hand | October 2-6 | * |
| Fifth Hand | October 7-11 | Festival of the 25th of Se'Kara |
| Seventh Passage Hand | October 12-16 | * |
PASSING OF TURIA
The herds of the Wagon people pass closest to the city of Turia on or around the Second Hand of Se`Kara (September 22nd-26th).
"In the thinking of the Wagon Peoples, it is called the Omen Year, though the Omen Year is actually a season, rather than a year, which occupies a part of two of their regular years, for the Wagon Peoples calculate the year from Season of Snows to the Season of Snows; Turians, incidentally, figure the year from summer solstice to summer solstice; Goreans generally, on the other hand, figure the year from vernal equinox to vernal equinox, their new year beginning, like nature's, with the spring; the Omen Year, or season, lasts several months, and consists of three phases, called the Passing of Turia, which takes place in the fall; the Wintering, which takes place commonly south of the Cartius, the equator of course lying to the north in this hemisphere; and the Return to Turia, in the spring, or, as the Wagon Peoples say, in the Season of Little Grass."
Nomads of Gor, Pg. 11..
SARDAR FAIRS
The Gorean equivalent of the World's Fair on Earth, these are four huge trade fairs which are held quarterly in the shadow of the Sardar Mountain Range. Each young person of Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the foot of the Sardar Mountains before he or she reaches their 25th birthday. They typically last ten full days (plus at least that long for set up and break down) and are scheduled to coincide with the solstices and equinoxes. FAIR OF SE'KARA (September 22nd-October 1st)
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, which do have common names, the months of En-'Kara, or En-'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En-'Var, or En-'Var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis, and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 79..
FESTIVAL OF THE 25TH OF SE'KARA
An annual Festival held in Port Kar to celebrate their great naval victory over the combined fleets of Cos and Tyros (October 11th).
"I wondered how many men would claim to have fought on the twenty-fifth of Se'Kara, abroad on Thassa. I smiled. This day would doubtless be made holiday in Port Kar. And those who had fought here would be, in years to come, as comrades and brothers."
Raiders of Gor, Pg. 281..
EIGHTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | October 17-21 | * |
| Second Hand | October 22-26 | * |
| Third Hand | October 27-31 | Feast of Fools |
| Fourth Hand | November 1-5 | * |
| Fifth Hand | November 6-10 | * |
| Eighth Passage Hand | November 11-15 | * |
FEAST OF FOOLS
This is a festival celebrated in some Gorean cities on the last day of the Third Hand of the eight Gorean month (October 31). It is similar in many respects to the southern Festival known as Carnival, except it lasts only for the period of one night. Also known as "Festival of the Cities of Dust," in homage to the spirits of the deceased who died during the last year.
"In many Gorean cities, accordingly, the Twelfth Passage Hand, the five days preceding the Waiting Hand, that time to which few Goreans look forward with eagerness, is carnival."
Players of Gor, Pg. 10.
NINTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | November 16-20 |
Torvaldsland-The Thing |
| * | * | The Wintering |
| Second Hand | November 21-25 | * |
| Third Hand | November 26-30 | * |
| Fourth Hand | December 1-5 | * |
| Fifth Hand | December 6-10 | * |
| Ninth Passage Hand | December 11-15 | * |
THE THING
An annual celebration held in Torvaldsland, during which all of the shieldmen of the various Great Jarls travel to the Hall of their particular leader, submit their weaponry for inspection, and formally repledge their oaths of loyalty. The Thing usually occupies a span of from three to five days, and occurs sometime during the middle of the ninth Gorean month (mid-November), varying according to such factors as weather and the current political situation.
"Blows are not to be struck at the thing, but not even the law of the thing, with all its might, would have the temerity to advise the man of Torvaldsland to arrive or move about unarmed"
Marauders of Gor, Pg. 141.
THE WINTERING
The nomadic herds of the Wagon peoples typically occupy their winter pastures during the period from the middle of the ninth Gorean month (late November) through the Second Hand of En'Kara (late March).
"In the thinking of the Wagon Peoples, it is called the Omen Year, though the Omen Year is actually a season, rather than a year, which occupies a part of two of their regular years, for the Wagon Peoples calculate the year from Season of Snows to the Season of Snows; Turians, incidentally, figure the year from summer solstice to summer solstice; Goreans generally, on the other hand, figure the year from vernal equinox to vernal equinox, their new year beginning, like nature's, with the spring; the Omen Year, or season, lasts several months, and consists of three phases, called the Passing of Turia, which takes place in the fall; the Wintering, which takes place north of Turia and commonly south of the Cartius, the equator of course lying to the north in this hemisphere; and the Return to Turia, in the spring, or, as the Wagon Peoples say, in the Season of Little Grass."
Nomads of Gor, Pg. 11..
MONTH OF SE'VAR
"Between Se'Kara and the winter solstice, which occurs on the first of Se'Var, the rence will be sold or bartered, sometimes by taking it to the edge of the delta, sometimes by being contacted by rence merchants, who enter the delta in narrow barges, rowed by slaves, in order to have first pick of the
product."
Raiders of Gor, page 17..
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | December 16-20 | * |
| Second Hand | December 21-25 | New Year |
| * | * | The Fair of Se'Var |
| Third Hand | December 26-30 | * |
| Fourth Hand | December 31-January 4 | * |
| Fifth Hand | January 5-9 | * |
| Tenth Passage Hand | January 10-14 | * |
NEW YEAR OF THE WAGON PEOPLE
The day of the Winter Solstice (December 21st) is celebrated by the Wagon People as the first day of the new year, and marks the beginning of The Season of Snows. In addition, the women of the Wagon People keep a calendar of their own, based upon the phases of the largest of the three Gorean moons. It consists of fifteen separate divisions, each named after one of the fifteen different kinds of bosk, for instance: "The Moon of the Brown Bosk", "The Moon of the Spotted Bosk" and so on.
"In the thinking of the Wagon Peoples it is called the Omen Year, though the Omen Year is actually a season, rather than a year, which occupies a part of two of their regular years, for the Wagon Peoples calculate the year from the Season of Snows to the Season of Snows; Turians, incidentally, figure the year from summer solstice to summer solstice; Goreans generally, on the other hand, figure the year from vernal equinox to vernal equinox, their new year beginning, like nature's, with the spring; the Omen Year, or season, lasts several months, and consists of three phases, called the Passing of Turia, which takes place in the fall; the Wintering, which takes place north of Turia and commonly south of the Cartius, the equator of course lying to the north in this hemisphere; and the Return to Turia, in the spring, or, as the Wagon Peoples say, in the Season of Little Grass."
Nomads of Gor, Pg. 11.
SARDAR FAIRS
The Gorean equivalent of the World's Fair on Earth, these are four huge trade fairs which are held quarterly in the shadow of the Sardar Mountain Range. Each young person of Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the foot of the Sardar Mountains before he or she reaches their 25th birthday. They typically last ten full days (plus at least that long for set up and break down) and are scheduled to coincide with the solstices and equinoxes. The Fair of Se`Var (December 21st-December 30th)
"Month names differ, unfortunately, from city to city, but, among the civilized cities, there are four months, associated with the equinoxes and solstices, and the great fairs at the Sardar, whichdo have common names, the months of En-'Kara, or En-'Kara-Lar-Torvis; En-'Var, or En-'Var-Lar-Torvis; Se'Kara, or Se'Kara-Lar-Torvis, and Se'Var, or Se'Var-Lar-Torvis."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 79..
ELEVENTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | January 15-19 | * |
| Second Hand | January 20-24 | * |
| Third Hand | January 25-29 | * |
| Fourth Hand | January 30-Febuary 3 | * |
| Fifth Hand | Febuary 4-8 | * |
| Eleventh Passage Hand | Febuary 9-13 | * |
TWELTH MONTH
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| First Hand | Febuary 14-18 | * |
| Second Hand | Febuary 19-23 | * |
| Third Hand | Febuary 24-28 | * |
| Fourth Hand | March 1-5 | * |
| Fifth Hand | March 6-10 | * |
| Twelfth Passage Hand | March 11-15 |
Carnival in Southern Cities |
| * | * | Kajurlia |
CARNIVAL
Held in many southern cities, notably Port Kar, during the five days of the Twelfth Passage Hand (March 11th-15th). During this celebration it is often customary to dress oneself in outlandish costumes or masks and attend various masquerade fetes and feasts.
"In many Gorean cities, accordingly, the Twelfth Passage Hand, the five days preceding the Waiting Hand, that time to which few Goreans look forward with eagerness, is carnival."
Players of Gor, Pg. 10..
KAJURALIA
"The Festival of Slaves", it is held in most Gorean cities except Port Kar, where it is not celebrated at all, on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand (March 15th). In Ar, it is celebrated on the last day of the fifth month (August 12th), the day which precedes the Love Feast. Upon this day, slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted them during the year, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will (provided of course they do not attempt to escape from their owners permanently), the freedom to choose their own sexual partners and to couch with slaves of the opposite sex whom they find attractive, temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play (minor) tricks and practical jokes upon freepersons. After the twentieth ahn, however, they are expected to be back in their respective kennels and slave quarters to resume the services required by their imbonded status; slaves who "go renegade" during Kajuralia are typically punished severely if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
"The Kajuralia, or the Holiday of Slaves, or Festival of Slaves, occurs in most of the northern, civilized cities of known Gor once a year. The only exception to this that I know of is Port Kar, in the delta of the Voisk. The date of the Kajuralia, however differs. Many cities celebrate it on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand, the day before the beginning of the Waiting Hand; in Ar, however, and certain other cities, it is celebrated on the last day of the fifth month, which is the day preceding the Love Feast."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 229..
THE WAITING HAND
| GOREAN |
EARTH |
HOLIDAYS |
| The Waiting Hand | March 16-20 | The Waiting Hand |
THE WAITING HAND
This is a five day period (March 16th-20th) during which doors are painted white, little food is eaten, little is drunk and there is no singing or public rejoicing in the city. Walls and doors are adorned with sprigs and branches from the brak bush to ward off ill-luck in the coming year. On the day of the Vernal equinox, the Ubar or Administrator of the city performs a ritual "greeting of the sun," after which doors are repainted and the brak foliage is removed, beginning a ten day period of general revelry.
"On the first day of the Waiting Hand, the last five days of the old year, the portals of Ar, including even that of the House of Cernus, had been painted white, and in many of the low-caste homes had been sealed with pitch, not to be opened until the first day of En'Kara."
Assassin of Gor, Pg. 211..
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