Klingon death ritual

File:KlingonDeathRitual.jpg

Klingon Death Ritual

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

The Ritual involved opening and staring into the eyes of the dying individual, 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")

Instances

Korris, Konmel, and Worf performed this ritual following the death of Kunivas in 2364. It was extremely rare for non-Klingons to witness the Ritual and this may have been the first such case. Soon after, Worf performed the Ritual following the death of Korris (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 did not 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, the act of watching over a fallen warrior's body, was sometimes performed after or, perhaps, in place of The Klingon Death Ritual. (DS9: "The Ship")

R'uustai, or "The Bonding", is a rite of brotherhood sometimes performed after the death of an individual's parents. (TNG: "The Bonding")

Apocrypha

In Klingon for the Galactic Traveler the Klingon language translation of "death ritual" is given as "Heghtay".

See also

• Funeral
• Bajoran death chant
• Ferengi death ritual