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Age
of Ascension
On
a personal level, the rite of ascension is, perhaps the most significant
of all Klingon rituals. It is only by undergoing this rite, that a Klingon
may take their place within Klingon society as a warrior.
In
many ways, the rite of ascension is comparable to the rituals which the
ancient Terran knights underwent to win their spurs. Those preparing to
be accepted into knighthood were expected to spend the night before their
investiture in vigilance, baring their soul through prayer. The Klingon
initiate is also expected to express their innermost feelings, a task made
even more challenging by the use of painstiks.
The
initiate prepares for the final rite over several days, during which, he/she
performs several minor rituals. The climax of the rite of ascension involves
the initiate making their way between two lines of warriors whose job it
is to prod them with painstiks.
As
the initiate makes their way toward a brazier marking the end of the trial,
they are expected to search their innermost feelings, and banish their
fears and doubts while reciting the following: "DaHjaj SuvwI'e'jIH.
tlgwIj Sa'angNIS. Iw bIQtIqDaq jIjaH." ("Today I am a Warrior. I must
show you my heart. I travel the river of blood.")
B'aht
Qul challenge
A
traditional Klingon game in which one contestant holds both arms forward,
while the other places his or her arms between the first, wrists touching.
The first contestant attempts to press the arms together, while the second
attempts to force them apart.
Boreth
According
to Klingon tradition, when Kahless determined that there were no more lands
left to conquer, and that his people were truly united, he decided that
the time had come for him to leave. The exact reason why he left is the
subject of much debate and conjecture amongst scholars. However, what is
known is that, when asked where he would go, he pointed to a star and said:
"Look for me there, on that point of light."
It
has been said, that Kahless was not indicating a specific place, rather
he was showing his people the way to their future amongst the stars. Others,
however, have taken Kahless' words more literally. For many Klingons, Kahless
was not only promising that he would one day return, but he was showing
them the place where this event would occur. Thus, with the advent of space
travel, a monastery has been set up on Boreth, the only habitable planet
orbiting the star which Kahless indicated.
G'now
juk Hol pajhard
Klingon
law of heredity. A son shall share in the honours or crimes of his father.
Hegh'bat
ceremony
Within
Klingon society, suicide is seen as a dishonourable death. However, there
are certain circumstances which allow for an individual to perform a type
of ritualized suicide known as the Hegh'bat ceremony.
If
a warrior is unable to stand and face his/her enemies, or has been dishonoured
in some way, he/she has the right to request that a close friend or relative
aid them in performing the Hegh'bat ceremony. It is the duty of the second
person to hold a ceremonial knife before the warrior, while indicating
the reason why he has chosen to die. The warrior then impales himself on
the knife.
It
is interesting to note, that unlike the Terran form of ritualised suicide
which was practiced in ancient Japan, the person who wishes to die never
actually touches the knife. After the warrior is dead, the person acting
as second, removes the knife and wipes it on their sleeve. In the Japanese
seppeku ritual, it is the person wishing to die who holds the knife. The
main duty of the second was to stand behind the suicide with a sword, ready
to behead them, should their courage falter.
Perhaps
the reason for this subtle but significant difference could be that in
having the second hold the knife, the act, becomes a joint, spiritual experience
which transcends the concept of suicide per se, thus making it acceptable
to a society which generally frowns upon suicide.
ja'chug
Traditionally,the
ja'chug ritual was that part of the Rite of Successsion where those seeking
to become leader of the Hight Council were expected to show their worthiness
by reciting the battles which they had won and honours which they had earned.
Although
the ja'chug is usually considered obsolete, it did play an important part
in the last Rite of Succession which saw Gowron installed as Chancellor
of the Hight Council. The ruling Chancellor, K'Mpec knew he was being poisoned.
However, he was unable to determine which of the two candidates, Duras,
or Gowron was responsible.
Thus,
Ambassador Kehyler, who was overseeing the Rite of Succession, advised
Arbiter Jean-Luc Picard to demand that the two candidates carry out the
ja'chug ritual, in order to buy more time to investigate.
Jat'yIn
Klingon
term for spiritual possession. It literally translates as "the taking of
the living by the dead."
jIH
dok/maj dok
The
Klingon marriage ceremony is a simple affair which usually entails the
two parties donning ceremonial robes, then standing before a celebrant
or witness. One of the couple (usually the female) then declares "jIH
dok" (my blood) to which the other responds "maj dok" (our blood).
Klingon
divorce is just as simple for Klingon women. In order to break the marriage
vow, the aggrieved female need only publicly declare her displeasure with
her spouse. It is also quite acceptable for her to strike him at this point.
Whether severing the nuptial bonds is as easy for males is unknown.
jinaq
Traditional
Klingon jewelled amulet, given to a daughter when she comes of age to take
a mate.
Klingon
death ritual
It
has been said, that in ancient times, when a warrior died, his/her comrades
stood vigil over their dead body to guard it from wild animals. Such reverence
for the physical remains, is no longer practiced. Once the spirit has left
the body, it is considered no more than an empty shell, and is disposed
of with little ceremony.
The
Klingon Death Ritual involves a close friend or relative prying open the
eyes of the deceased, so they may enter StoVoKor with their eyes open.
Those present then surround the body, and let out a howl which gradually
builds in intensity, and then comes to a sudden stop. The purpose of the
howl is to warn the honoured dead in Stovokor that a warrior is coming.
MajQa,
Rite of
The
Rite of MajQa involves a process which is not unlike the "sweat lodges",
employed by the Native Americans of Earth. Fasting, and meditation combine
with the heat to induce visions and revelations.
The
MajQa Rite is performed in the lava caves of No'Mat. It is said that the
most significant visions which one can have are those which involve the
acolyte's father.
Mek'ba
In
the Klingon system of justice, the portion of a trial or appeal in which
evidence was heard. The Mek'ba has strict rules for the presence of evidence
and for the conduct of both the accuser and the accused.
qa'vak
Traditional
Klingon game involving a half-meter hoop and a spear. The hoop is rolled
between various stakes planted into the ground, and the object is to throw
the spear through the center of the hoop. Upon successfully scoring in
this manner, it is traditional to shout "ka'la'!" The game is intended
to hone skill necessary for the traditional Klingon hunt.
qab
jIH nagil
Klingon
ritual challenge used during the Sonchi ceremony during the Rite of Succession.
It translates: "Face me if you dare."
Rite
of Succession
Process
whereby a new leader is chosen for the Klingon High Council following the
death of the previous leader. The rite first requires the Sonchi, in which
the previous leader was formally certified to be truly dead. Next, the
Arbiter of Succession was required to select the challengers for leadership
of the council. The two strongest challengers would then fight for the
right to lead the council.
R'ustai
Klingon
ceremony in which two individuals bond together to become brothers or sisters.
The rite itself is resplendent in Klingon custom and involves the lighting
of ceremonial candles and the wearing of warrior's sashes, concluding with
a Klingon intonation honoring their mothers.
Sonchi
ceremony
A
Klingon ritual; part of the Rite of Succession. Sonchi translates as "he
is dead." The Sonchi formally confirmed the death of a leader before his
or her successor could be chosen, and involved jabbing the body with Klingon
painstiks while issuing a verbal challenge.
Tea
Ceremony
Klingon
ritual in which two friends share a poisoned tea served on a tray decorated
with simple flowers. The ceremony is test of bravery, a chance to share
with a friend a look at one's mortality, and a reminder that death is an
experienced best shared - like the tea.