~-~ Klingon Rituals & Customs Version 1.0 - Qebwa` ~-~ Here we will give you all the information that we have on Klingon Rituals and Customs as well as some of the additional items/persons associated with them. The rituals of modern Klingons can be traced back to the time of Kahless the Unforgettable and nearly all of Klingon mythology, folklore and ritual begin with Kahless and his views on honor. These rituals are compiled from various sources including: Star Trek Fact Files http://www.geocities.com/tlqwoq/Rituals.html Contents: In Honor of Kahless - Kot`baval Festival - Rites of Ascension - Order of the Bat'leth Honor & Discommendation: - Klingon Honor - Day of Honor - Discommendation Courtship, Marriage & Divorce: - jinaq - Courtship/Mating Ritual - Klingon Oath - Kal`Hyah - Welcoming Mistress of prospective House/Bre`Nan Ritual - Marriage Ceremony - Marriage of Convenience - Divorce Death, Restoring Honor, Ritual Suicide: - Death . Death wail . Klingon Dirge . Jat`lyn . Rite of Vengeance - Barge of the Dead - Naj - Fek’lhr - Gre’thor - Sto-Vo-Kor - R`uustai - Restoring Honor - Ritual Suicide: (assisting another: Mauk-to`Vor) - Ritual Suicide: (requesting for self: Hegh`bat) - Black Fleet - Assassination - Dishonorable Killings Legalities: - Ja`chuq - cha`Dich - Law of Heredity - Voting - Challenge Rituals - meqba` - cho`tay (Rite of Succession) . Sonchi . Qab jIH nagil! . Arbiter of Succession Other: - `Iw `Ip (Blood Oath) - Klingon Code - Toast (raising goblet) - MajQa, Rite of - Klingon Tea Ceremony - moQbara` - Victory Song ----- -=In Honor of Kahless:=- Kahless is prayed to before battle, studied by clerics, summoned in pain-induced hallucinations and celebrated in festivals and holidays. =Kot'baval Festival= This is an annual outdoor celebration of Kahless's victory over Molor on the field of battle, thereby setting all future Klingons free from his tyranny. Taking Part The greatest Kot'baval Festival is held on Qo'nos; it is a day of celebration and joy in every town and village on the planet, retelling in song and story the events of that magnificent day that changed the future of the Klingon race forever. Even in the far-flung Klingon settlements throughout the galaxy, this day is celebrated as a glorious holiday. The town square is transformed into a rich tapestry of color, smells and sounds reminiscent of an ancient time. It becomes a medieval Klingon world, a myth come to life, with each storefront decorated with banners and colorful artifacts. On the side streets, there are amusements, fire dancers, jugglers, ones who claim to have Molors head in a box and try to charge passersby to see, and singers. It is indeed a carnival atmosphere. The ritual centerpiece of the festival takes place in the middle of the square, where a Klingon street opera performs historical events in a way that only a true Klingon could relish; two warriors sing loudly as they engage in mock combat, accompanied by street musicians who are playing instruments, called `ln, which are struck by the fist and palm to create a reverberating sound that can be deafening. The two performers are clad in elaborate colorful robes, patterned after the ancient garb of Kahless' time; they thrust and parry with their bat'leth, which have bells fastened to their frames that jingle with every movement. The festival's highlight - the reenactment of the ancient final battle between Kahless and Molor - is presented in the traditional Klingon opera format. The words are in no`Hol, the ancient Klingon language that is spoken today only in ceremonial or rituals such as this. The mock battle itself is staged in the Mok'bara martial arts form, which is similar to Terran tai chi. Molor's Challenge The performers' voices fill the square with song as they battle, till finally the one playing Molor triumphs in victory. The fallen combatant calls to the gathered crowd from the ground, "Nok'tar be'got, hosh'ar te'not?" He is asking if anyone will have the courage to battle Molor. This challenge is to all and age is not a barrier, even children can join in. In these instances the performer playing Molor will be careful not to injure the youth, and will often feign injury to end the battle in a draw. There will always be someone in the crowd to accept the challenge by singing out "Ki'rock Molor, ki'rock!" They will take the bat'leth from the fallen warrior shouting, "Ni'tokor bak'to!" as he confronts Molor. One after another warrior takes up the challenge, but still Molor remains defeated. Then there is a moment when suddenly the crowd cheers and parts to allow the first performer to return. He has now changed his costume and wears the distinctive headdress that indicates he is now portraying Kahless. "Nok'til Kahless, Molor gik'tal!" he sings out defiantly, his voice echoing across the square. The performers move towards each other as the crowd roars out their approval. Kahless sings out that he'd rather die than live under Molor's tyranny. As the battle progresses the crowd begins to hush in anticipation and then finally the climatic moment, the costumed Kahless defeats Molor with the final killing blow of his bat'leth, and the crowd roars in admiration. =Rites of Ascension:= Klingon males follow the spirit of Kahless as soon as they are able. A Klingon is not born a warrior, being a warrior is something that must be earned. Considered an adult once able to yield a blade, when a youth becomes of age to take arms, he must be ceremoniously initiated. This ascension into adulthood is ceremoniously marked by three rites of passage. The First Rite of Ascension, peHtay: In the seventh month of a child’s ninth year he reaches the age of inclusion, peHghep. Before his family the child will pledge his intention to become a warrior by lighting the ceremonial Qo’to’vo’ candle. Qo’to’vo’ candles represent the fire within the heart of a warrior, the first step on the path to adulthood. Once pledged, the youth is presented with the traditional ghojmeHtaj, boy’s knife. Now the childhood games and stories, so familiar, will take on new meaning as the youth’s education and training increases to prepare him for the way of the warrior. This is where a young Klingon's fighting skills, stamina and knowledge of Kahless' teachings are tested. The Second Rite of Ascension, qutluchtay: This ceremonial passage is not described in most non-Klingon literature because of its offensive nature to many cultures. Marked in the seventh month of the youth’s twelfth year, this ceremony celebrates the young Klingon preparing to be a warrior by allowing him to attack an opponent and actually draw blood for the first time. The Third Rite of Ascension, nentay: During the seventh month of the young Klingon’s fifteenth year he attains the age of ascension, nenghep. On the eve of this third rite of passage a traditional celebration is held. Declared a lopno’, the youth, soon to be a man, is presented with numerous gifts, all of which are weapons or are rich in family tradition or value. The celebration itself is a test of stamina with regards to drinking, feasting, story-telling, and mu’QaDveS. A test which will continue throughout the night and marks the young Klingon’s first consumption of alcohol. As the first light of dawn breaks the horizon, those celebrants still conscious will enter the ritual chamber and stand witness to the nentay and the passage of youth into manhood using the traditional ‘oy’naQ, painsticks - unpleasant devices capable of blowing the head off a two-ton Rectyne monopod - as he proclaims his most profound feelings. Enduring massive pain is a sign of spiritual stamina. In spite of everything, the Third Rite of Ascension is often eagerly anticipated by the warrior as an opportunity for confronting death, honoring the family, and sharing an intimate moment with friends. Ascension Chant - When presented with a holodeck-formed Ascension Chamber to mark the 10th anniversary of his own part in the rite, Lieutenant Worf recited the following while enduring the blows of the painsticks: "DaHjaj SuvwI' 'e' jiH. tIqwIj Sa'angnIS. 'Iw biQtIqDaq jIjaH." (Today I am a warrior. I must show you my heart. I travel the river of blood.) "jIbechrup may' vIlos." (I / suffer / ready / battle them / wait) "HIHIvqa'." (You / attack / again) "may'pequ' moH." (Battle / you be ugly). =Order of the Bat'leth= The Order of the Bat'leth is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a Klingon Warrior, ensuring that his glorious exploits will be remembered well into the future. It is a name given to elite groups of Klingon warriors, both male and female, who have gained prominence for their courage and strength in battle. Their deeds are honored in a ritual ceremony that sees their names added to a list of the greatest Klingon warriors of the past. New members are periodically inducted into the Order at a formal ceremony in which they are presented with a medal, commemorating their valor. This ceremony is normally presided over by the Chancellor of the Empire. The night before the ceremony, it is customary for everyone to gather to celebrate in the Hall of Warriors, one of the Empires most heavily fortified installations on the planet Ty`Gokor. (More information on the Hall of Warriors can be found in the Advanced Culture Guide) In typical Klingon fashion, this celebration becomes as much a trial of endurance and stamina as it is a celebration. Racks are placed on each side of the central brazier in preparation for the forthcoming Ceremony of Commendation.