Naming Ceremonies

History

For many generations, the mortality rate of children was quite high among the nomadic Tauren peoples. The development of complex medical practices and healing techniques was yet to be implemented and the dangers presented to these nomadic tribes were many and diverse. In most cases, children died before they reached their second year, which although tragic, was also a way of life for many tribes. From this way of life, many of the tribes considered it bad luck or an ill omen to name a calf before that second year. Calling out the evils of the world to come against a child that had no defense against them.

As a result, many Tauren tribes took to using weening names for their children during the first two years and then consulting with the Elders of the Tribe to name the child in the light and grace of the Ancestors. Though parents often give their opinions on the names it is considered a high honor for Elders, Spirit Councilors, and Chieftains to name the next generation. Among the Skyrunner Tribe, this rite is still observed even though they have been non-nomadic for most of their history as a way to remember the time before their tribe was founded.

Execution

Three days before the ceremony is to take place the parents will seek out the Elders and Council of the Tribe and leave their calves in their care. For those three days, the children are watched and prayed over so that they may be given names that are true to their natures. Skurunners believe that names are very important things and that they can often define and shape a soul as much as a potter shapes clay. Giving a child a wrong name is considered one of the most dishonorable actions one can commit and often can be exiled for such an act if it is ever discovered.

Once the three days are over the child is left in the care of the Chieftain who is given the chosen name that the Elders, Spirit Councilors, and Parents have chosen for the youngster. Through that night the Chieftain will consider the options as well as seek the guidance of the Ancestral Spirits of the tribe, specifically the former Chieftains.

At the breaking of dawn, the tribe will gather about to hear the name of the child as they are presented by the Chieftain. There is often a reason given for the name included in the presentation. The rest of the morning the child is given gifts from the tribe that will help them through life and honors their new name while a feast is thrown in their honor.

Participants

• The Chieftain

The Chieftain gives the final say on the name of the child after the parents and the Spirit Council give their selections.

• The Parents

The parents must attend the Naming Ceremony. If the child has no parents then their adoptive parents will step in.

• The Council

It is necessary for the Council to be present for such an event as witnesses as well as voices of the spirits who assist in choosing a name for the child.

• The Tribe

This is a celebration as much as it is a solemn event in the life of both the Tribe as well as the individual. As such it is fitting that it be held before the whole tribe in order to commemorate the event though it is not necessary if the situation does not allow.

Observance

Now that the tribe is nomadic in nature this ceremony is only performed when the Tribe returns to Skyrunner Village when the child has entered their second year of life. Typically done at dawn after a night of seeking guidance from the spirits and often in the presence of all three celestial bodies that they may witness with event.

On Weening Names

Weening names are often nicknames that the parents choose to call a child before they reach their two-year mark. These names are never anything specific and often reflect ideas of concepts that the parent wishes for the child to learn. Animal names are popular as well as elements and natural ideas such as 'cloud' or 'west wind' and even 'blue-wolf'.

The Difference between Given Names and Dream Names

Given names are the formal names given to Tauren at the two-year mark. Usually, these are names that stand on their own that are close to other words representing natural ideas, elements, and animals that have been mixed in the sounds to create wholly individual names. It is very rare that a name will be a direct copy of another known name in the history of the tribe partly to avoid confusion and partly so that a soul may stand on their own merit instead of being overshadowed or lifted up by another's name.

A Dream Name is a name given to reflect the personality, nature, or accomplishments of an adult Tauren. Heavily symbolic these honorific names allow a Tauren to stand out even more as a reflection of who they are. Many times Dream Names are simply taken up one day as nicknames by those close to the individual until it becomes a formal name they take for themselves. Other times a Dream Name is given by Elders, Councilors, or Chieftains as recognition of a specific Feat of Honor. Names such as Threewinds, Freesoar, Ragehide, and Gloomstrider are good examples of symbolic Dream Names. In many cases for those that have no Dream Name, they are simply referred to by their Tribe Name.