We celebrated New Years Eve one day ahead of time this year. It is sort of a tradition in these parts and although I have had the reasoning explained to me several times I am still not sure why. Something about sun and earth spirits, along with ravens and eagles. Big Bear tells me that my western thinking single track mind wouldn't get it, so I stopped trying to figure it out.
I was just settling down for my mid morning nap when there came that annoying knock at the door. I knew I would have to get up and answer it because Bev was checking the trap lines for rabbits or other eatables. It was Big Bear. He had just returned from Hawaii and wondered if anyone had invited Bev and I to the New Year party being held at Jumpster Hill. "It is a traditional event and something I think you ought to see. If you would come as my guest I would certainly appreciate it." Well how could I not attend. I told him that Bev and I would meet him at the cross roads just at the base of Jumpster Hill provided Bev had enough time to clean the animals she might have caught. If not I would be there anyway.
Luckily Bev only caught one rabbit and she made quick work of that so after a dinner of rabbit ravioli with a creamy Alfredo sauce we jumped on our four wheeler along with Ray, our pet raven ornamenting the hood and off we went towards Jumpster Hill using the ever ready animal skin map as a guide. The map was getting down right spooky but I have not mentioned it to anyone so far, but perhaps I will start the new year off by talking to Big Bear about it.
After meeting up with Big Bear at the cross roads we ventured the short distance to the base of the hill. A crowd had gathered and everyone seemed to be in a good mood. At the top of the hill was a giant snow ball with two long arm type of apparatuses protruding from each side parallel to the ground.
It was still an hour away from midnight so we busied ourselves with cordiality, snacks provided by the locals, cyder, tea and biscuits. Some of the group held hands and danced around a make shift Christmas tree, others performed native dances for anyone that seemed interested, and still others took turns telling very young audiences old stories about their ancestors and funny things some of the elders did when they were not elders. There was no alcohol insight which was the only thing that I suppose differentiated itself from Time Square. I must say I really enjoyed myself and Bev seemed to have a good time also. Ray the raven just sat there on the hood of the four wheeler oblivious to the rest of us.
Just as midnight approached two men with torches sat the arms protruding from the giant snow ball ablaze and with a slight shove rolled it down the hill. The crowd at the base of the hill scattered while chanting the countdown to midnight starting with "10." Just as "1" was yelled out the snowball exploded starting a small conflagration. Now and then someone from the crowd would run up to the blaze and throw something on it. What they were throwing were not logs but different items like paper, clothes, and other items that were not readily identifiable but burned none the less. Each time someone would throw something on the fire the rest of the crowd would cheer and urge those around them to burn something.
People starting yelling at Bev and me to participate but not knowing what type of thing I was supposed to throw I just stood there for awhile. Eventually the pressure and clatter from the crowd became so great I took one of Bev's biscuits from my pocket, which I always carried with me, and through it on the fire. To make sure everyone one knew I was participating I tossed it high in the air. On the biscuits decent Ray the raven swooped from the sky out of nowhere it seemed and snatched the biscuit out of the air. Everyone got a good laugh and I thought perhaps I would have to figure out something else to burn but as I was about to throw one of my scarfs into the flame, Big Bear stopped me and said there was not need.
We all watched the fire for a minute or two and then some one started singing Auld Lang Syne in their native tong. After the rendition we all hugged the nearest to us, wished all a happy new year, and headed home.
I asked Big Bear on the way back to our cabin what all the burning was about. He said people burned things that represented what they were giving up in the new year. They were symbolic gestures like writing a persons name on a piece of paper who you no longer wanted to be mad at, of sometimes people through tobacco, or things that represented bad habits, "things like that," he said.
"What about my biscuit?"
"Well," he replied, "It didn't burn so I guess Bev will have to keep making them and you eating them the rest of the year."
I was glad of that because she made a very good biscuit. I looked over to Ray the raven and nodded a thanks. I am not sure a raven can smile but Ray seemed to come very close.
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