Night of the Stars

Minnarisai Rinnayasana here. Firstly, after that ridiculous play festival, I had a good Christmas celebration. Presents (mine's a purple sweater and a book full of Fun Facts Around the World), Mr. Reyes/Ríso (our equivalent of St. Nicholas in a red and black zoot suit and a car on the streets), and snow games like snowball fights and tobogganing; all this makes it a fun Christmas, Bigton style!

Then there's the New Year, when we have a public countdown on TV, and we burn wooden effigies of clocks on the street.

And lastly, there's the Night of the Stars, on the day after New Year's Day.

In Rinnarit tradition, this was one of several dates for the old Rinnarit New Year, before our ancestors migrated south away from oppression in the North. This was the day the Rinnarits honor the constellations and stars in the sky that they used to worship.

Paivonkiari (The Plough of Spring, my birth constellation); Hyakionvionno (The Golden Swan); Onolinthilari (The Thistle of Sapphire); Deikásásori (The Sleigh of Winter) and Haudanoreti (The Red Torch): you name 'em.

Ever since I was 11, I had to attend the Star Parade, every year without fail: the most important festival of the occasion, usually held at night. On the front are the Star-Bearers, able-bodied men, women, boys, and girls who carry poles with 8-pointed star-tips, representing either a specific star or a constellation. Behind are the various New Year floats, packed with dancers playing and dancing around, having a good time. And behind are the hundreds or thousands of dancers, of various kinds on genres, extending the whole Parade to about two hours of boredom or hilarity, whatever that is your pick.

This year, I'm 16 years' old. And thankfully, I'm a Star-Bearer. Not some fancy alien princess on a pink horse!