Savoyard Traditions [ I ]

[TheNunnery 1853]

 

 

 

 

Savoyard Traditions for Birth

 

A study of Savoyard traditions recorded by Roberta Leopoldine de Ravensburg

 

 

“The mother of Mankind” by Philippe de Amgmoncu, Louisville (1842)

For centuries and above, children have always been an important and protected group of the world, from the offspring of the Exalted Horen and St. Julia to the offspring of the common man and woman today. The event of one being born is widely celebrated, from the elvish people to the orcish brutes to humankind. Recently I had done a study of the traditions which the Savoyards do when a child is born within the community. 
 

 

Baptism

 

Like any canonist state with followers of the canonist faith. After days of being born, the child will have a baptism. Being able to be viewed up by the light of god and viewed by the friends and family of the parents whose child is being baptized. In Savoyard culture, Baptism is highly celebrated for the implications of the child undertaking the first sacrament which introduces them into the righteous flock of GOD. 
 

 

 

After Baptism Celebrations

 

After the baptism, the traditions of Savoyards express that the friends and relatives of the parents will travel to the house of the parents. Where these friends and relatives of the parents will be able to take part in many activities. Where guests are expected to wear gold bracelets with coral, as it is believed it would ward off evil spirits trying to harm the infant. 

 

Gifts

 

One of the first activities many Savoyards have is one, which is shared across many other cultures but does not leave out the Savoyards. This tradition is gift-giving, these gifts could be gifts to the mother which is traditional, flowers (primarily roses), fumes, and golden jewelry, and to the father these gifts are traditional, spices, furs, and a sum of a mina (preferably three hundred mina). But most choose to buy gifts for the newborn such as a cradle and other common necessities for a newborn or items the newborn could wield and use in the future. 
 

 

 

“The feast of Light” by Amelie von Bargiur, Westerwald (1600)
 

Feast

 

Another tradition for Savoyards is to hold a feast, might it be large and hosted by the royal household for a royal birth or a small one hosted by a farmer’s family. Most Savoyards would hold a feast that includes heavy meat-based dishes and lots of alcohol. It is believed the more food eaten by the guest, means the more chance the child will have a more painful and sad life. While less eaten food would predict that the child will live a fulfilling life. Hence the reason why most Savoyards will avoid being gluttonous. 

 

Blessings

 

After the celebrations such as the gift-giving and the grand feast. The festivities would end with blessings. A person would then go to a small shrine with many candles and lighten. The idea is each lighten up candle symbolizes a prayer sent to God. A prayer for the child to be blessed with safety in the cruel and sad world, to live a fulfilling life. After each guest does this, they shall all do a large prayer and be escorted out of the house. 
 

 

 

Savoyard Myths and Practices

Besides the traditions which the Savoyards do after the birth of a child, they are also an abundance of myths that a Savoyard believes for a newborn to be comfortable and safe. In this documentation, I will be writing three of these myths and beliefs. 

 

Fireplace

 

Many Savoyards have the belief that the cradle of the child should be near a fireplace during the winters or anytime it is cold. They believe that doing so will keep the child warm and their head warms so they will not freeze under the cruel and cold weather. But this method is rarely used anymore considering the warm climate of San Luciano. 

 

 

 

“The Prince Olivier Laurene” By Lucrezia di Bracchi, Sutica (1822)

 

 

Light

 

Another myth Savoyards keep to their hearts is lighting up the rooms of their newborns. As the story says, there is a witch named Fuseur d'Ombres who will come from the shadows and take the child from the cradle as when this vile woman was youthful she was accused of witchcraft and adultery while pregnant and burnt at the stake. After this, the woman while burning swore her soul to thy devil. Once this pact was finished, she swore to take any child away from a mother to make them mourn too. But as the story explains, the witch would not be able to touch the light, hence the lighting up the rooms. 

 

Scents

 

Savoyards believe that it is important to keep a newborn around scents such as flowers and other calmly smelling items as when the child grows older they will be able to keep good hygiene and know the difference between good and bad hygiene. The scents Savoyard parents will place near the baby’s cradle include lavender and roses 

 

Death by Childbirth

 

Whenever there is a tragic event such as a mother dying while giving birth to a child. Most Savoyards believe that the mother could either become a spirit that will protect other mothers while in childbirth if their child had lived when they gave birth, or become an evil spirit that haunts expecting mothers. But, many Savoyards also believe a way to ward off this evil spirit is to pray for luck and health than eating healthy foods such as any vegetable and fruit, then, to stay hydrated. In addition, expecting mothers usually maintain themselves in confinement throughout the third trimester of their pregnancy to avoid perilous or anxious situations.

 

Abandonment

 

A vile and shunned action for all Savoyards is the abandonment of your children. Besides the moral implications of abandoning your child. Many believe that abandoning your child is denying a gift blessed by GOD and aligning yourself with the devil. Traditionally, whenever a Savoyard parent would abandon their child, the people themselves would seek out justice such as sending that parent to a convent to become a nun or monk, which is one of the less harsh punishments. Another action to punish the parent would be to cut off their tongue, legs, or any limb. Sometimes some Savoyards would even kill the parents. 

 

Now most modern Savoyards living in San Luciano simply shun the person on the streets or could be arrested and charged with criminal actions. But still, the action of abandonment is very severe. 
 

 

Conclusion

 

After some months of studying within Savoy. I have seen a very interesting viewpoint and an interesting set of traditions for taking care of them and celebrating their newborns. Before closing up this documentation of Savoyard traditions, I’d like to thank the serene courts of Savoy for teaching me the different traditions of celebrating and taking care of the Savoyard newborns. Hopefully, I will be able to publish more of my studies. 

 

 

A print of the coat of arms of House de Ravensburg would be at the bottom of the pamphlet.

 

 

GOD WITH US 
Signed

Roberta Leopoldine de Ravensburg

WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF

Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine, Princess Royal of Sutica
Hereditary Princess consort of Savoy and Countess of Sarissa

 

Her Highness, Nikita Avreliya von Alstreim 
Landgravine of Alstreim and Ciambellano of Aggarde
 

 

Spoiler

 

Thank you @Axeluand @Tigergirifor for giving out critiques and ideas! And just helping overall!

 

 

 

 

[Axelu 4333]

A Savoyard woman remarked in passing to her father, a humble miller, "It es very good to see our beliefs represented by t'eh Royal Courts, papa. We are trul'ee seen'a."

[Tigergiri 3073]

Within the warm nursery roon, a maid would stoke the fire next to the craddle. Making sure to keep the babies body warm as the leaves began to change colour.  Nikita smiling and humming a lullaby.