Post by Admin on Feb 24, 2015 20:12:19 GMT -5
January 1 – New Year's Day
The Rohari welcome the first day of the new year with feasting and celebration, believing that a year begun in good spirits brings good luck for the rest of the year. They consider it a secular holiday, spent in pleasurable pursuits, good food, rich drinks, and fine company.
April 30 – First Caliph’s Birthday
Named for Mahmud ibn Tarek al-Khalid, the first Caliph of Rohari, the day honors his contributions to the Tribes and for his leadership. Many commemorate this day by making a pilgrimage to the seashore and feasting on the bounty of the sea.
June 21 – Longest Day
The Rohari honor Sura on the year's longest day when the sun is at its highest point and daylight fills the hours. Rising with the sun, this is a solemn, holy day on which the Rohari fast except for water, and each tribe makes sacrifices to Sura to ensure His favor. Babies are often brought to the priests to seek Sura's blessing for health and well-being.
July 23 – Nabi’s Day
It is believed that on 23 July 550 BF, Nabi first appeared to Mahmud, instructing him to lead the People of the Sand to the mountains for their own survival, and instructed them in regaining Sura's goodwill. Pilgrimages to the mountain are often taken, and the caves where the People resided are swept clean, flowers laid, and gifts of food are left for Nabi; it is said that one of these years, the Prophet will return on His Day.
October 10 – Feast of Sura
Where the Longest Day is a solemn day, the Feast of Sura is a time of joy and merriment. The festival endures for four days, during which many betrothals and handfastings are conducted, as Sura smiles on the union of men and women and the priests call upon His blessing for fertility. Children who reach the age of majority are recognized as adults during this time as well. Dancing, music, feasting, and games are the highlights of the Feast.
December 21 – Day of Remembrance
The final holiday of the year where the sun shines the least on the earth, the Rohari observe the time in veneration of their ancestors, honoring their forebears and remembering those who died to protect and preserve the Tribes. Prayers of intercession are spoken in the Temple, and gifts in honor of those ancestors are made to widows and children for their provision in the year to come.