fastevingede

Fastevingede is a term used in the fictional archipelago of Lir to describe a traditional rite that combines fasting with communal celebration in the context of the harvest season. The name is said to derive from the local words for fasting and for wings, a reference to the ritual’s symbolism of ascent, renewal, and protection by wind.

The practice typically unfolds over several days and centers on a sequence of dietary restrictions followed by a shared evening meal. Participants observe abstention from certain foods until dusk, after which a ceremonial feast is held. Central to the rite are performances in which dancers wear wing-inspired costumes and wind chimes, creating audible and visual motifs that evoke air and movement. The event often takes place along coastal terraces or piers to incorporate natural wind as a component of the ritual.

Regional variations exist in timing and scale. Some communities observe a four-day window around a designated new moon, while others extend the period by a day or two. Fastevingede functions as a social ritual that reinforces kinship ties, mutual aid, and local identity through provisioning, shared labor, and collective ritual space.

Historically, the rite appears in semi-legendary accounts dating back several centuries and is treated by contemporary scholars as a living tradition that adapts to changing social conditions. Debates surrounding the practice focus on health considerations during fasting and the balance between traditional observance and modern public activities.

See also: ritual fasting, wind festivals, cultural traditions of Lir.