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Age Of Ascension
Also known as the Rite of Ascension or the Klingon Rite of Passage, marking a new level of spiritual
attainment for a Klingon warrior. The first Rite must take place before the age of 13 so that a Klingon youth can declare
his intention to become a warrior. A ritual candle is lit and the rite itself involves testing one's fighting skills
with a Bat'leth and other weapons. The second Rite, usually taken between the ages of 13 to 18 involves a recitation
by the ascendee proclaiming: "Today I am a Warrior, I must show you my heart. Today I travel the river of blood."
The warrior then strides between tow lines of other Klingons who then subject him or her to painsticks. The warrior
is expected to express his or her most profound feelings while under duress. The Rite can then be undertaken every 10
years or so as a celebration to commemorate first becoming a warrior.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded version.
Dahar Master:
Highly honored title bestowed upon only the greatest of Klingon warriors. This is usually
given to those who have attained legendary status in life.
Source: Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded version. Novel "A Good Day To Die" by Keith R.A. DeCandido.
Gre'thor
The place in Klingon Mythology where the dishonored go when they die. Its the equivilent of
Hell for Humans. When the dishonored die, they do not cross into Sto-Vo-Kor but are instead intercepted by the Barge
of the where they are then transported to the Gates of Grethor down the River of Blood. The Barge is piloted
by Kortar, who according to legend was the first Klingon who (along with his mate) slew the gods that created them and turned
the heavens to ashes. For this he is eternally dammned to ferry the Barge to Grethor. Upon arrival at Grethor,
the Barge goes past the guardian, Fek'lhr, and delivers the souls for their eternal torment.
Source: Star Trek: Voyager "Barge of the Dead"
jeghpu'wI':
Quite literally "Conquered People." These are creatures or species on planets
that have come under Klingon rule. jeghpu'wI' are less than Klingon Citizens but more than just mere slaves or prisoners.
Source: Novels "Diplomatic Implausibility", "A Good Day to Die", and "Honor Bound" by Kieth
R.A. DeCandido.
Kal'Hyah
A mental and spiritual journey that a Klingon man and his friends traditionally share during the
last four nights before his wedding. The ritual was made up of six trials: deprivation, blood, pain, sacrifice, anguish,
and death. Filled with song and fellowship, the Kal'Hyah was difficult by human standards but exhilarating to Klingons.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version
Ma'Stakas
Cerimonial clubes, used in a Klingon wedding ritual. The participants in the groom's Kal'Hyah
carry Ma'Stakas with them during their journey. In a traditional Klingon wedding, after the couple are pronounced married,
they are symbolically attacked by the groomsmen, who wield Ma'Stakas. This tradition grew out of the story of "Kahless
and Lukara".
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version.
R'uustai
"The Bonding". 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.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded version
Sto-Vo-Kor
Klingon place of the afterlife for the honored dead where Kahless the Unforgettable is said to await
those who are worth of joining the Black Fleet. According to traditional Klingon beliefs, to gain entry into Sto-Vo-Kor,
a warrior must have eaten the heart of an enemy and must have died in glorious battle. Otherwise, entry might be gained
after death if a glorious victory was dedicated to the name of the fallen warrior. At the time of death in battle, those
remaining commend the warrior's spirit to Sto-Vo-Kor with the 'howl' that warns those in the afterlife that another warrior
is on their way to join them. It is said that the warrior's spirit then crosses the river of blood and joins the Black
Fleet where they then fight alongside of Kahless and all of their ancestors against their enemies for all eternity.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version; Star Trek: Klingon CD-ROM Game and Novelization;
Star Trek: I.K.S. Gorkon Novel series by Keith R.A. DeCandido.
SEE THE WARRIORS OF THE BLACK FLEET
Tawi'Yan
Klingon term meaning "Sword-Bearer." In a Klingon wedding, the Tawi'Yan is similar to the
best man in a human wedding. (Although the sword is used to either protect the couple while they wed from enemies of the House
or used to kill either the groom or bride upon order of the House Mistress should either of the two act dishonorably).
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version.
var'Hama candle
Primitive light source employing chemical combustion of animal fat; used in some Klingon ceremonies.
Var'Hama candles are often displayed by a bride-to-be to welcome the female head of her intended's house prior to the wedding.
Traditionally, to make the candles three targ are captured in the Hamar Mountains on Qo'noS and sacrificed at dawn.
The shoulders of the targ are boiled into tallow and hand-molded for two days into var'Hama candles.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version
vItHay'
Ritual challenge issued by an accused against the man doing the accusing. It proves who is
guilty or who is not. This is a fight to the death and should not be used lightly. This goes with the ancient
Klingon Tradition that the truth always has more strength than a lie and that whoever is on the side of truth, shall be victorious.
The ritual chamber has a fire in the center and the combatants are dressed in ritual fighting robes,
no armor. Those who are to bear witness form the circle in which the combatants will fight in. The accuser is
the one who has first choice of weapons. Any weapon may be used with the exception of any type of projectile or beam
weapon.
Source: Star Trek: Klingon, CD-ROM Game and Novelization.
Wedding, Klingon
During the last four days before his wedding, a Klingon groom, accompanied by his closest male friends,
traditionally experiences the mental and spiritual journey called Kal'Hyah. The Mistress of the groom's House tests
the prospective bride by having her perform several rituals, which must be accomplished in strict adherence with tradition.
The Mistress of the House often performs the actual ceremony, and she has the authority to reject the bride and call off the
wedding if she so chooses. The ceremony recounts the stirring tale of how the Klingon gods forged the first two Klingon
hearts from fire and steel and how the first couple joined forces and slew the gods. After the vows are exchanged, the
bride would present her d'ktahg to the head of the groom's family as a formal request that she be accepted into the groom's
House. Traditional Klingon weddings include a ritual targ sacrifice followed by the wedding feast. See also: Kal'Hyah, Ma'Stakas, Tawi'Yan, var'Hama candles.
"Fine! First we'll shed blood and then we'll feast!"
"The way it should be..."
--Jadzia Dax and Worf before thier wedding.
Source: The Star Trek Encyclopedia, Updated and Expanded Version
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