Reaping

The reaping is the lottery held in each district of Panem to choose that year's tributes for the Hunger Games. It is where The Hunger Games begins, and where Sunrise on the Reaping takes its title. It falls on July 4th, and because Panem spans the continent the districts hold theirs in turn from east to west, starting with 12, 8, 6, and 11. Attendance is compulsory for the whole district and enforced with severe penalties; the only excuse is serious illness, which officials verify in person the evening before. The district assembles in front of the Justice Building, the mayor recites the history of Panem, the Dark Days, and the rules of the Games, and then hands over to the Capitol escort, who draws a name from each of the reaping bowls. Once a name is called, another child of the same sex may volunteer to take that tribute's place.