Grimma Waiði

General introduction

The Skaura Orohlen live in relatively egalitarian groups, with only the shaman and one or two couples with special honorary titles being an exception. One of these two titles is 'isir/isis mérjés waiðandés', meaning 'the great hunters' in Onkara Röddet (the article left of the slash is masculine, while the one on the right is feminine). This title is given to the most successful hunters in the group. Strangely enough this does not necesarily mean that both of the couple are exceptional hunters. It is sufficient, if one individual gets the title. This then is applied to him or her and his or her partner was well. The ritual, through which this title can be attained is the 'grimma waiði, the 'wild hunt'.

The grimma waiði is not bound to a certain time in the year cycle, but rather conducted whenever the position of the 'isir/isis mérjés waiðandés' is vacant. Still it does not have to be immediately after the position gets vacant, as for example in spring and early summer no hunts are being made as it is the closed season to protect the animals and their offspring that is just being born now.

Process of the event

When one of the couple holding the title of the great hunter dies, the position becomes vacant automatically, as an orphaned Skaura Orohlen can not hold a full position in Skaura Orohlen society. With the title vacant, it is the task of the shaman of the group to select the most promising members of that group to hunt a certain animal the spirits have revealed to him or her on an astral journey. Under normal circumstances two to four individuals are sent out, each one hunting their target independantly from one another. Whoever returns first and successful gets granted the title and his or her partner with him or her.

What animals are target of the hunt can differ massively. While some are to hunt down a bear, others can be tasked hunting a snake. While this might appear weird to outsiders, it must be noted, that the shaman gets revealed, what would be the most daunting task for the individuals, so a tiny snake still poses an immense challenge for someone with a phobia against those animals. One slightly disturbing aspect is, that every living being not a plant and not a mushroom or the like can be a potential target, so humans and other Len are subject to the hunt sometimes.

Cultural significance

As said, the Skaura Orohlen are mainly egalitarian, with three or five distinguished individuals sticking out and having more of a say in moots convened for decision making. One of those is the shaman, who takes a special position in every Skaura Orohlen group and two of the others are the dominant and strongest couple. The title of the great hunters may fall to anybody, making a group have a distinguished group of five, but most often, that the title of the great hunters coincides with the dominant couple.

Having shown their prowess in hunting, the great hunters main concern is the organisation of hunting and gathering, seeding and harvest, should the group practise agriculture as well as the storage and preservation of the food for periods of scarcity, like the winter or high summer. This adds a very concrete and practical aspect to the ritualistic title. Also, isir/isis mérjés waiðandés conduct sacrifices for the forest spirits and animal spirits, either before a hunt starts or at fixed times during a year, to pray for the animals survival during the winter or to wish for luck with the upbringing of the young in spring and early summer.