Klingon death ritual

File:KlingonDeathRitual.jpg

Klingon Death Ritual

The Klingon Death Ritual was a Klingon ritual performed during, or directly following, the death of a warrior.

The Ritual involved opening and staring into the dying individual's eyes, then howling loudly at the sky. The latter served as a warning to the dead (presumedly in Sto-vo-kor): "Beware, a Klingon warrior is about to arrive". (TNG: "Heart of Glory")

Once the Ritual was completed, the body was unceremoniously discarded. It was considered to be "only an empty shell" which should be "treated as such". (TNG: "Heart of Glory")

Korris, Konmel, and Worf performed this ritual following the death of Kunivas. It was extremely rare for non-Klingons to witness this ritual and this may have been the first such case. Worf later performed the Ritual following the death of Korris in 2364. (TNG: "Heart of Glory")

Worf performed the Ritual again in 2367, following the death of his mate, K'Ehleyr, and in 2374 for his wife, Jadzia Dax. Though, in both cases, Worf failed to open the eyes of the fallen warrior. (TNG: "Reunion"; DS9: "Tears of the Prophets")

Worf was seen performing the Ritual once again in 2375 after slaying Gowron in personal combat. (DS9: "Tacking Into the Wind")

Other Klingon death rituals

Funerals were sometimes held for Klingons, such as Dax, son of Kang, who died after being infected with a genetic virus by the Albino. The event made a lasting impression on Curzon Dax, as well as Jadzia Dax. (DS9: "Blood Oath")

Ak'voh was sometimes performed after, or perhaps, in place of The Klingon Death Ritual. (DS9: "The Ship")

See also

• Funeral
• Bajoran death chant
• Ferengi death ritual