Gormas?
As humans from earth, roleplaying in a very fictional land we fight sometimes against introducing non-Gorean elements into our Roleplay, or our discussions. Being By The Book is a standard most try to strive for, however we fail in these things when it comes to the holidays.
So what does it mean to celebrate Gormas in the strictest sense? The Gorean holidays around December, or what December equates to on Gor, is rather simple.
The Fair of Se`Var
(December 21st-December 30th)
New Years Soltice - Wagon People
(December 21st)
The Fairs. We know of course that there are FOUR fairs held during the year, the fair of Se`Var is the last one of the Gorean year, this is the last opportunity for some individuals to travel 'before their 18th year' to be in accordance with priest kings rules for the general populace of the fictional world.
Why is this fair significant during Christmas? Remember, in the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph had to travel for a mandatory census to Jeruselum, and to pay taxes. While Goreans wouldnt need to travel far to pay their taxes to their town, or city, the mandatory census is the closest thing we could use to compare.
Celebrate the Fair of Se`Var, use it to make a pillgramage to your original home, or to your home, to your culture of origins in Gor. Use it to create some roleplay, and to delve into a new reality within roleplay.
Come Celebrate the fair of Se`Var in Second Life at The Sardar Passage.
The Wintering & Solstice. This period of time extends from late November through to the second hand of Se`Kara.
The Wintering was not unpleasant, although, even so far north, the days and nights were often quite chilly; the Wagon Peoples and their slaves as well, wore boskhide and furs during this time; both male and female, slave or free, wore furred boots and trousers, coats and the flopping, ear-flapped caps that tied under the chin; in this time there was often no way to mark the distinction between the free woman and the slave girl, save that the hair of the later must needs be unbound; in some cases, of course, the Turian collar was visible, if worn on the outside of the coat, usually under the furred collar; the men, too, free and slave, were dressed similarly, save that the Kajiri, or he-slaves, wore shackles, usually with a run of about a foot of chain.
Nomads of Gor, chapter eight, page 59
The Solstice, is effectively the new year for the wagon people, the start of something fresh, its a singular day to celebrate.
This whole idea of Gormas.. seems needless. Gor offers plenty of opportunties to stay 'in character' as you celebrate the holidays at Christmas time, and other seasons not-withstanding.
I recall years ago, back when I was a youngun in Gor, in a place once called 'Worlds End'. The rules where simple. Be Gorean, or Go. Expectations where no less simple. Do not cross introduce real world, or real life practices into the roleplay escapist environment of Gor.
Now... off to find out if Goreans celebrated birthdays...
Godric
Oralu of the Tuchuk
