#apellai
Apellai: Doric Civic Festival
TheApellai is a three day civic festival for initiating family and young men into the phratry, who controlled civic rights.
We can assume based on the similar Athenian festival Apatouria that the first day was a feast, the second a sacrifice to the paternal gods, and the third the initiation ceremonies and offerings by the initiates. Along with their sacrifice, a kouros, young man, would cut their hair and offer a lock of their hair to the gods. This is a practice attested for many gods who protect youths (Apollo, Herakles, the river gods, etc).
The festival is known to have occurred in several states and is proven to be practiced by all Doric states due to the inclusion of the month of Apellaios in their calendars. The association with Apollo is clear as his name appears in doric form ApellonἈπέλλων. Oaths were likely also given to Poseidon Phratrios and Zeus Patroos.
The father has to introduce his child first at the age of three, and again as a grown-up; and the husband has to present his newly married wife. The new entrant is led to the altars, and a sacrifice is due in each case; for a minor, lad, and marriage. All the Ionians have a three day festival Apatouria once a year, when the phrateres meet for a sacrificial banquet provided for from the entrance fees. Among the northwest Greeks, at least in Delphi, the Apellai have the same function, with the three corresponding sacrifices for child (paideia), youth (apellaia), and marriage (gamela).
Walter Burkert, Greek Religion pg 255
Today there are other government bodies that control civic rights and citizenship than the phratry, but it could be a time to celebrate approved visas, residency, or citizenship for those who live outside their country of birth. It could also be a wonderful opportunity to ‘initiate’ new and growing family members privately into the household. If performing this festival privately at home it could be appropriate to include your favoured household gods along with Apollo, such as Zeus Herkios and the Agathos Daimon.
