Is There a New Year in Shenkuu?

Above the high mountains of Altador, the city of heroes, lives a small city known as Shenkuu. Not long ago, discovered by the crew of the Cyodrake’s Gaze. In this small mystical city, New Year celebration isn’t always the same as the other cities. Some celebrate New Year like in Neopia. Some don’t, for example: Kreludor.

In this wonderful Year 10, Shenkuu will be celebrating its most important traditional holiday: The Shenkuu Festival. On the 7th day of the Month of Awakening, a special festival will start out in Shenkuu bringing lots and lots of visitors to this empty yet fascinating land.

History of Shenkuu’s New Year:

The Shenkuu New Year starts out in Shenkuu on the first day of the year that contains a new moon and ends fourteen days after. The moon is easily predictable when it is going to be full with all the knowledge of the Wise Old Gnorbu living on the most elevated building of all of Shenkuu. As stated by the Wise Gnorbu, every Shenkuu New Year is on a different date each year, depending on the Neopian Calendar. The Shenkuu New Year is based on twelve different animals including: Miamouse (the mouse), Pygui (the pig), Gruslen (the tiger), Eizzil (the rabbit), Kazeriu (the dragon), Wadjet (the snake), Alabriss (the horse), Babaa (the sheep), Mirgle (the Monkey), Peadackle (the rooster), Blurgah (the ox) and last but not least, Puppyblew (the dog). This fabulous year, it will be the year of the Miamouse, represented as a mighty protector and one who brings materials which others need. According to legend, confirmed by the wise Gnorbu, the first custom ever to have been created for the Shenkuu New Year was the use of fireworks, explosions, and the color red. It began that way because several citizens in Shenkuu were going missing and not many have lived and told the tale to the younger ones. But for those who knew about the tale, they said that in a lair above Terror Mountain, not far from the lair of the Snowbeast, lives a mysterious living Long Red Dragon. An actual toy sold at the Toy Store in Neopia Central resembles this divine creature and it is called the New Year Yurble Dragon. Many say it looks the same in many Shenkuu Books. “That toy is an actual replica of the real mythological creature known as the legendary Nian,” justifies Orrin in front of the Lunar Temple.

What to do before the celebration?

Many citizens living in Shenkuu tend to do an all around neohome cleaning. Many believe that cleaning makes all the bad luck of the previous year leave and brings good luck to start a fresh New Year. Others spend time repainting their homes, window-panes, doors with a fresh coat of red paint. In the evening, a traditional family meal with all our friends and pets is served; it is considered as the biggest event in the Shenkuu New Year.

What is at the table on this fascinating evening?

The appearance of a fish is very common in many Shenkuu homes. It is also a custom to have dumplings for this important meal since its shape is very close to a Shenkuu gold Nugget. Dumplings can be bought at a special shop in Shenkuu called Exotic Foods if you wait for Orrin to make his famous dumplings for you. (He can make many kinds ranging from Chokato flavored Dumplings to his so special and expensive Ice Cream Dumplings.) Other citizens compare this festivity with Christmas, but a Shenkuu New Year meal usually has much more food to offer.

Some people might have customs of their own but that depends on their own personal culture. For example:

Anshu, formally known for opening a shop in the Cyodrake’s Gaze and much later, in Shenkuu, celebrates his new year with Steaming Green Tea and some delicious Dried Mushrooms. If you’re lucky, he might even invite some friends over. :)

Details about the first day of the Shenkuu New Year:

Well, the official first day when this New Year starts is a special day to welcome the deities of the Heavens and also, the Earth. Many Shenkuu citizens also abstain themselves from eating meat because it is said that not eating meat will ensure them a longer longevity. On a side note, the food prepared for this night is mostly baked and cooked the day before since many consider lighting fire brings bad luck on the day of the Shenkuu New Year.

Details about the second day of the Shenkuu New Year:

After the first day of the Shenkuu New Year is over, it is time for the second day. The second day is the day when many married couples go see their Birth Parents if possible. Many feed their pets with extra care on this day because it is said that it is the day where all pets are born.

Details about the third and fourth day of the Shenkuu New Year:

The third and fourth day are generally the worst day and the most inappropriate day to do some family visiting. These days are meant for grave-visiting about their precious fallen ones.

Details about the fifth day of the Shenkuu New Year:

Ah, the fifth day, one of the most favorite days of Orrin. He gets to bake dumplings for the whole city. Almost everyone eats dumplings in the morning for this day. (Many shops tend to open late on this day, so don’t rush the shop owners in Shenkuu).

Details about the seventh day of the Shenkuu New Year:

Even if the sixth day has no important signification, it is the day where everyone feels one year older, it is the common man’s birthday. And for many others, it is also another day to avoid eating meat.

Details about the ninth day of the Shenkuu New Year:

The ninth day must be the day when the Lunar Temple gets all crowded and when the Wise Old Gnorbu greets many visitors. This special day is the day when many Shenkuu residents climb up to the Lunar Temple and pray for the mighty emperor. This is also a day where Anshu gets to serve his fabulous Tea because on this day, Tea is served as a sign of paying respect to an honored person.

Details about the very last day of the Shenkuu New Year:

All this entertainment has to come to an end. But it is not a sad ending, it is a happy ending. It is the day where Orrin gets to cook his special (not available in stores) sweet rice balls. It is the day where all of the residents in Shenkuu place lit-up candles to guide the lost spirits back to the home. It is also referred as the Lantern Festival.

And this is the very special day, when the Shenkuu New Year comes to an End.