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Island Traditions
Traditions
Over time, several traditions have come to exist in Pala. They range from island-wide, world famous events, to smaller, less known traditions. Pala also observes the following major holidays: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, New Year's Eve/Day. Islanders may also observe religious traditions of their own. If you have an idea for an event or island tradition, please submit a comment with a description of it!
Pala Carnivale
The largest, most well-known tradition is the carnivale season, which spans the entire month of August in Pala. This is the most tourist heavy period of the year, and the entire city of Gatestown erupts in color and celebrations. Parades happen every weekend, culminating in the largest parade at the end of the month. There are fairs, live events, and the beaches around Gatestown become party central.
The other islands remain relatively untouched, but they do see a larger influx of tourists, too. The partying tends to stay on Empyrean, though, with a few smaller satellite events that take place on Paradise and Angel islands.
Jour de la Mort
The Day of the Dead. Also called Dia de los Muertos, Dia de Finados, etc. It takes place overnight, beginning on November 1st and ending on November 2nd. While it is traditionally a time for families and friends to mourn the dead, in Pala it has become a reason to celebrate, too. Island residents and tourists paint their faces to ward off evil spirits. The main event is the release of sky lanterns to commemorate the dead. The skies above Pala look like they are alive with thousands of glowing jellyfish. After the lantern release, the participants celebrate life and party.
Swim the Follies
This is a rite of passage for many of Pala's youth. The Follies are dangerous for their shallow reefs and their shark population. To "swim the follies" means to be taken out to the cluster of islands at night, and to swim approximately 100 meters in the water, unable to see below you in the water because of the darkness. It's technically illegal because of the amount of accidents and deaths that have occurred, but that hasn't stopped young tourists and residents from giving it a try. If a person successfully completes the swim, he or she receives a wave tattoo and is considered a true Palacian.
Booty Day
September 19. To commemorate the day that the British rooted out the last pirates, the islanders have created Booty Day. Sort of Pala's own Valentine's Day, the idea is that you steal something from a person you like/love/have a crush on, and then gift it to them later. Parties are often thrown, with islanders dressed as pirates, or speaking like pirates. This is a controversial tradition because of the amount of date-rapes, drug-taking, and actual thefts that occur. The island authorities tried to ban it once, but the youth of the island celebrated it, anyway, and the authorities could do nothing to stop it.
Over time, several traditions have come to exist in Pala. They range from island-wide, world famous events, to smaller, less known traditions. Pala also observes the following major holidays: Christmas, Easter, Halloween, New Year's Eve/Day. Islanders may also observe religious traditions of their own. If you have an idea for an event or island tradition, please submit a comment with a description of it!
Pala Carnivale
The largest, most well-known tradition is the carnivale season, which spans the entire month of August in Pala. This is the most tourist heavy period of the year, and the entire city of Gatestown erupts in color and celebrations. Parades happen every weekend, culminating in the largest parade at the end of the month. There are fairs, live events, and the beaches around Gatestown become party central.
The other islands remain relatively untouched, but they do see a larger influx of tourists, too. The partying tends to stay on Empyrean, though, with a few smaller satellite events that take place on Paradise and Angel islands.
Jour de la Mort
The Day of the Dead. Also called Dia de los Muertos, Dia de Finados, etc. It takes place overnight, beginning on November 1st and ending on November 2nd. While it is traditionally a time for families and friends to mourn the dead, in Pala it has become a reason to celebrate, too. Island residents and tourists paint their faces to ward off evil spirits. The main event is the release of sky lanterns to commemorate the dead. The skies above Pala look like they are alive with thousands of glowing jellyfish. After the lantern release, the participants celebrate life and party.
Swim the Follies
This is a rite of passage for many of Pala's youth. The Follies are dangerous for their shallow reefs and their shark population. To "swim the follies" means to be taken out to the cluster of islands at night, and to swim approximately 100 meters in the water, unable to see below you in the water because of the darkness. It's technically illegal because of the amount of accidents and deaths that have occurred, but that hasn't stopped young tourists and residents from giving it a try. If a person successfully completes the swim, he or she receives a wave tattoo and is considered a true Palacian.
Booty Day
September 19. To commemorate the day that the British rooted out the last pirates, the islanders have created Booty Day. Sort of Pala's own Valentine's Day, the idea is that you steal something from a person you like/love/have a crush on, and then gift it to them later. Parties are often thrown, with islanders dressed as pirates, or speaking like pirates. This is a controversial tradition because of the amount of date-rapes, drug-taking, and actual thefts that occur. The island authorities tried to ban it once, but the youth of the island celebrated it, anyway, and the authorities could do nothing to stop it.