The grand sacrificial rites lasted the entire day. Only as dusk deepened and night drew near did the series of sacred ceremonies at Pioneer Plaza finally come to an end. Even so, vast crowds remained inside and around the plaza—after the formal rites came folk celebrations and amusements. A massive night market would continue from nightfall until the next day, with jugglers, dancers, and craftsmen selling local specialties taking over the festival tonight.
The blessings and prayers of the day belonged to the gods; the celebration and entertainment of the night belonged to the mortal world.
After the sacred, solemn, and painstakingly regulated rituals, people could freely enjoy a lively festival. Once night fell, Pioneer Plaza seemed even more bustling than it had been during the day.
With so many rules gone, along with the solemn and rigid church music, the plaza was now filled with stalls and makeshift stages erected by wandering performers. Local merchants sold souvenirs around the square, while magicians and dancers from the Konde Region or Tansan performed in the business areas designated by the municipal authorities. Cheerful melodies mingled with the cries of vendors, while arrays of bright Magic Crystal Lamps floated above the plaza, illuminating this night of celebration.
This was often the happiest part for children—they did not yet understand the solemn sanctity of church rituals, nor did they know the stories and traditions of the Three Gods of Abundance. To them, a religious holiday like the Festival of Revival was clearly divided into two parts: the rigorous, boring, stifling daytime, and the night market where they could eat, drink, and play to their hearts' content. Once the priests had left, these children in their new clothes became excited, shouting as they darted through the plaza, while their parents' anxious or helpless calls