The start of the Gorean year coincides with Earth’s Vernal Equinox (approx. 3/21), and continues for 12 months. Each month consists of 5 weeks, called ‘Hands’, and each Hand consists of 5 days. Between each month is an additional 5-day Hand which is called the ‘Passage Hand’. At the end of the year, between the 12th Passage Hand and the 1st Hand of En’Kara, is an additional 5-day hand called ‘The Waiting Hand’. Every 4th year is a leap year, marked by 1 additional day between The Waiting Hand and the 1st Hand of En’Kara.Dates colored in yellow indicate Festival Days, or the beginning of a Festival Period. Dates shown shaded are the Earth equivalent to the Gorean date. Months are in Brown, click them to view the Festivals for those Months.Gorean FestivalsThe Month of En’Kara (the First Turning)
1. New Year: During non-leap years, the first day of the first hand of En’Kara marks the start of the Gorean New Year for many northern Gorean cities. This day coincides with Earth’s Vernal equinox, the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. The festival celebrates the end of the austere Waiting Hand; doors are painted green, and the city-wide celebration continues for two full hands 10 days The Turian’s celebrate their New Year during En’Var, and the Wagon People celebrate theirs during Se’Var.
1. The Fair of En’Kara: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of En’Kara begins on the Vernal Equinox. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
10. The Return to Turia: The last day of the Second Hand of En’Kara is traditionally the day that marks the beginning of The Season of Little Grass for the Wagon Peoples. Shortly after this date they begin the long trek from their winter pastures back to Turia.
Hand 2. The Planting Feast of Sa-Tarna: This festival , celebrated by most Gorean cities, occurs during the First Passage Hand and is believed to ensure a plentiful harvest for the year ahead. The festival typically lasts for 3 days with numerous rituals performed by members of the caste of Initiates as well as members of each of the five high castes. Most of these rituals consist of sacrifices or prayers to the Priest Kings conducted in the presence of the city’s Home Stone. On the final evening of the feast, the Home Stone is placed beneath the open sky atop the tallest cylinder in the city and sprinkled with sa-tarna grain and ka-la-na wine by a dignitary such as the Administrator, the Ubar, or a member of the ruling family.
The Month of Hesius (Ar)
Hand 1. The Games of Love War: During the Second Passage Hand, the Wagon Peoples compete against the Warriors of Turia on the Plain of Stakes, participating in various challenges and ceremonial combats to exchange freewomen for slaves.
The Month of Camerius (Ar) or Selnar (Ko-Ro-Ba)
1. Taking of the Omens: The Wagon Peoples consider every 10th year to be an ‘Omen Year’, a time when they halt their annual trek past Turia and hold ceremonies to divine Omens regarding the future of the tribes and the safety of the bosk. There is no set date for these ceremonies, but they typically occur in late spring during the month of Camerius. The last omen year was the Earth equivalent 1999.
The Month of En’Var (The First Resting)
1. Turian New Year: The people of Turia and certain other southern regions of Gor celebrate their New Year on the day of the Summer Solstice, during the First Hand of En’Var (approximately June 21st in Earth terms). As with the northern New Year celebrated during En’Kara, the celebration lasts for two full Hands10 days
2. The Fair of En’Var: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of En’Var begins on the Summer Solstice, during the First Hand of En’Var. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Daluni
25. Ar Kajuralia (The Festival of Slaves) : This festival is celebrated during the Twelfth Passage Hand over most of Gor, but is celebrated on the last day of the Fifth Month in the city of Ar, the day before the Love Feast. On this day slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will, the freedom to choose their own sexual partners including other slaves temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play minor tricks and practical jokes upon Freepersons. After the 20th Ahn (the equivalent of midnight) they are expected to be back in their quarters to resume their usual services. Slaves who attempt to escape from their owners during Kajuralia are typically severely punished if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
Hand 1. Love Feast: This festival, held during the Fifth Passage Hand is celebrated in the city of Ar. The fourth day of the festival Earth equivalent 8/16 is considered the climax of the slave sales, and the fifth day is normally reserved for great contests and spectacles in the Stadium of Blades, grand races in the Stadium of Tarns, Kaissa championships, and general feasting.
The Month of Akas
25. Kajuralia Harvest Festival: The city of Baren Touhk celebrates the Kajurlia around the 25th day of the Sixth Month, dependant on the weather and the whims of the Ubar. In addition to the traditional events of a Kajurlia, this city-wide festival includes a slave auction and other unique events as ordered by the Ubar and city council.
The Month of Se’Kara (The Second Turning)
The Passing of Turia: On or around the 2nd Hand the Wagon Peoples traditionally pass closest to the city of Turia.
6. The Fair of Se’Kara: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of Se’Kara begins on the Autumnal Equinox, during the Second Hand of Se’Kara. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Amumba
There are no festivals celebrated during the Eighth Month.
The Month of Rastar
The Thing: This festival is celebrated in Torvaldsland, around the middle of the Ninth Month. It has no set date as the celebration varies depending on the weather and the current political situation. During this festival, all of the Shieldmen of the various Great Jarls travel to the Hall of their particular leader to submit their weaponry for inspection and formally re-pledge their oaths of loyalty.
13. The Wintering: The middle of the Ninth Month marks the start of the Wintering, the period when the Wagon Peoples typically occupy their winter pastures. The Wintering usually extends from mid-Ninth Month though the 2nd Hand of En’Kara.
The Month of Se’Var (The Second Resting)
6. New Year of the Wagon Peoples: The Wagon Peoples celebrate their New Year on the 6th of Se’Var, which coincides with the Winter Solstice. This day also marks the beginning of The Season of Snows.
6. The Fair of Se’Var: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of Se’Var begins on the Winter Solstice, on the first day of the 2nd Hand of Se’Var. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Bakah
There are no festivals celebrated during the Eleventh Month.
The Month of Kavars
Hand 5. Kajuralia (The Festival of Slaves): This festival is not held in Port Kar, is celebrated during the Fifth Month in the city of Ar, and during the Sixth Month in the city of Baren Touhk. However, most other Gorean cites hold the festival on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand. On this day slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will, the freedom to choose their own sexual partners including other slaves temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play minor tricks and practical jokes upon Freepersons. After the 20th Ahn (the equivalent of midnight) they are expected to be back in their quarters to resume their usual services. Slaves who attempt to escape from their owners during Kajuralia are typically severely punished if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
Hands 1 to 5. Carnival: This festival of Port Kar, also celebrated by many of the other southern cities, is held during the five days of the Twelfth Passage Hand. The celebration is marked by masquerades and feasts with many of the citizens garbed in outlandish costumes and masks.
The Waiting Hand
Waiting Hand 1. The Waiting Hand: In this final Hand of the Gorean year the 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 misfortune in the coming year. On the day of the Vernal Equinox the First of En’Kara 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.
Leap Year
New Year: During a leap year, the New Year’s festival begins on this ‘extra’ day which falls between the Waiting Hand and the 1st Hand of En’Kara. During all other years the festival begins on the first day of En’Kara. In all years the festival continues for 2 full Gorean hands 10 days
1. New Year: During non-leap years, the first day of the first hand of En’Kara marks the start of the Gorean New Year for many northern Gorean cities. This day coincides with Earth’s Vernal equinox, the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading north. The festival celebrates the end of the austere Waiting Hand; doors are painted green, and the city-wide celebration continues for two full hands 10 days The Turian’s celebrate their New Year during En’Var, and the Wagon People celebrate theirs during Se’Var.
1. The Fair of En’Kara: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of En’Kara begins on the Vernal Equinox. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
10. The Return to Turia: The last day of the Second Hand of En’Kara is traditionally the day that marks the beginning of The Season of Little Grass for the Wagon Peoples. Shortly after this date they begin the long trek from their winter pastures back to Turia.
Hand 2. The Planting Feast of Sa-Tarna: This festival , celebrated by most Gorean cities, occurs during the First Passage Hand and is believed to ensure a plentiful harvest for the year ahead. The festival typically lasts for 3 days with numerous rituals performed by members of the caste of Initiates as well as members of each of the five high castes. Most of these rituals consist of sacrifices or prayers to the Priest Kings conducted in the presence of the city’s Home Stone. On the final evening of the feast, the Home Stone is placed beneath the open sky atop the tallest cylinder in the city and sprinkled with sa-tarna grain and ka-la-na wine by a dignitary such as the Administrator, the Ubar, or a member of the ruling family.
The Month of Hesius (Ar)
Hand 1. The Games of Love War: During the Second Passage Hand, the Wagon Peoples compete against the Warriors of Turia on the Plain of Stakes, participating in various challenges and ceremonial combats to exchange freewomen for slaves.
The Month of Camerius (Ar) or Selnar (Ko-Ro-Ba)
1. Taking of the Omens: The Wagon Peoples consider every 10th year to be an ‘Omen Year’, a time when they halt their annual trek past Turia and hold ceremonies to divine Omens regarding the future of the tribes and the safety of the bosk. There is no set date for these ceremonies, but they typically occur in late spring during the month of Camerius. The last omen year was the Earth equivalent 1999.
The Month of En’Var (The First Resting)
1. Turian New Year: The people of Turia and certain other southern regions of Gor celebrate their New Year on the day of the Summer Solstice, during the First Hand of En’Var (approximately June 21st in Earth terms). As with the northern New Year celebrated during En’Kara, the celebration lasts for two full Hands10 days
2. The Fair of En’Var: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of En’Var begins on the Summer Solstice, during the First Hand of En’Var. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Daluni
25. Ar Kajuralia (The Festival of Slaves) : This festival is celebrated during the Twelfth Passage Hand over most of Gor, but is celebrated on the last day of the Fifth Month in the city of Ar, the day before the Love Feast. On this day slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will, the freedom to choose their own sexual partners including other slaves temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play minor tricks and practical jokes upon Freepersons. After the 20th Ahn (the equivalent of midnight) they are expected to be back in their quarters to resume their usual services. Slaves who attempt to escape from their owners during Kajuralia are typically severely punished if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
Hand 1. Love Feast: This festival, held during the Fifth Passage Hand is celebrated in the city of Ar. The fourth day of the festival Earth equivalent 8/16 is considered the climax of the slave sales, and the fifth day is normally reserved for great contests and spectacles in the Stadium of Blades, grand races in the Stadium of Tarns, Kaissa championships, and general feasting.
The Month of Akas
25. Kajuralia Harvest Festival: The city of Baren Touhk celebrates the Kajurlia around the 25th day of the Sixth Month, dependant on the weather and the whims of the Ubar. In addition to the traditional events of a Kajurlia, this city-wide festival includes a slave auction and other unique events as ordered by the Ubar and city council.
The Month of Se’Kara (The Second Turning)
The Passing of Turia: On or around the 2nd Hand the Wagon Peoples traditionally pass closest to the city of Turia.
6. The Fair of Se’Kara: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of Se’Kara begins on the Autumnal Equinox, during the Second Hand of Se’Kara. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Amumba
There are no festivals celebrated during the Eighth Month.
The Month of Rastar
The Thing: This festival is celebrated in Torvaldsland, around the middle of the Ninth Month. It has no set date as the celebration varies depending on the weather and the current political situation. During this festival, all of the Shieldmen of the various Great Jarls travel to the Hall of their particular leader to submit their weaponry for inspection and formally re-pledge their oaths of loyalty.
13. The Wintering: The middle of the Ninth Month marks the start of the Wintering, the period when the Wagon Peoples typically occupy their winter pastures. The Wintering usually extends from mid-Ninth Month though the 2nd Hand of En’Kara.
The Month of Se’Var (The Second Resting)
6. New Year of the Wagon Peoples: The Wagon Peoples celebrate their New Year on the 6th of Se’Var, which coincides with the Winter Solstice. This day also marks the beginning of The Season of Snows.
6. The Fair of Se’Var: One of the four Sardar Fairs, which coincide with the solstices and equinoxes of Earth, the Fair of Se’Var begins on the Winter Solstice, on the first day of the 2nd Hand of Se’Var. These huge trade fairs, held at the foot of the Sardar Mountain range, typically last two full hands 10 days plus at least that long to set up and break down. Each young person for Gor is expected to make a pilgrimage to the Sardar Mountains before they reach their 25th birthday.
The Month of Bakah
There are no festivals celebrated during the Eleventh Month.
The Month of Kavars
Hand 5. Kajuralia (The Festival of Slaves): This festival is not held in Port Kar, is celebrated during the Fifth Month in the city of Ar, and during the Sixth Month in the city of Baren Touhk. However, most other Gorean cites hold the festival on the last day of the Twelfth Passage Hand. On this day slaves may take liberties which are otherwise not permitted, including the drinking of wine and liquor, the freedom to roam at will, the freedom to choose their own sexual partners including other slaves temporary suspension of all work and duties, and even the opportunity to play minor tricks and practical jokes upon Freepersons. After the 20th Ahn (the equivalent of midnight) they are expected to be back in their quarters to resume their usual services. Slaves who attempt to escape from their owners during Kajuralia are typically severely punished if recaptured, and are often executed for such an offense.
Hands 1 to 5. Carnival: This festival of Port Kar, also celebrated by many of the other southern cities, is held during the five days of the Twelfth Passage Hand. The celebration is marked by masquerades and feasts with many of the citizens garbed in outlandish costumes and masks.
The Waiting Hand
Waiting Hand 1. The Waiting Hand: In this final Hand of the Gorean year the 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 misfortune in the coming year. On the day of the Vernal Equinox the First of En’Kara 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.
Leap Year
New Year: During a leap year, the New Year’s festival begins on this ‘extra’ day which falls between the Waiting Hand and the 1st Hand of En’Kara. During all other years the festival begins on the first day of En’Kara. In all years the festival continues for 2 full Gorean hands 10 days