Rites of Final Flight

A Skyrunner burial is different from many other traditional tribes of the Tauren people. Though the same ideas of using a bier, mummification, bringing offerings, and recounting the histories and deeds of the dead are all still present the unique history of the Skyrunner Tribe brings with it equally unique burial rituals.

Execution

The Death Walk starts within the village where the body is lifted on the platform of a prepared bier. The body has already been mummified and wrapped in the patterned and painted blanket describing their history. The body is carried from the village by four volunteers, usually family of the deceased. They, along with the rest of the tribe carry torches along the path to the village boundary.

This part of the journey is meant to symbolize the life of a Tauren lived on the ground, the deep connection to the land, earth, and nature that all Tauren share as one people created by the Earthmother. The torches are used to light the way of the spirit lest they are lost before proper burial can take place.

Once the village boundary is reached the bier platform is tied to four wyverns specifically trained for the task. These four wyverns are painted ritualistically and used for no other purpose within the Tribe. The rest of the tribe also mounts up on wyverns and together they fly to the White Spire where the body is then placed on the prepared legs of the bier. Offerings and items to aid the journey of the dead are placed around the bier by the tribe members one by one.

When this is done the Council members and Chieftain speak of the deeds of the dead and their importance in life and in death. They pray to the spirits to guide their brethren to the Spirit World. While this is going on a large fire stands unlit near the body and as people conclude their grieving and prayers they place their torches within the fire to symbolize rebirth and balance of energy. Often times the Elders and family will remain in vigil over the body until dawn.

Participants

• The Chieftain and Council

The Chieftain and Council members must be present at the burial of one of their own. They speak words of wisdom about the dead individual and pray to the spirits to accept the soul of their fallen dead.

• The Tribe

A tribe is never more unified than when the reminder of a mortal body is present in their lives. Tauren believe that the body is a shell for a spirit which in time can return to guide the next generations with great wisdom and strength. That idea; however, does not ease the pain of losing the physical form of someone they loved, someone that was part of their very blood and soul. They gather during such a moment to share their grief and remember.

Observance

The Final Flight ritual can be observed on any day though it is always performed at dusk. The setting of An'she over the rim of the world is used to symbolize the closing of a life and the beginning of a long slumber. This ritual can only be performed on the White Spire though the body may be prepared for their burial long beforehand so that it is not desecrated by rot while the Tribe travels back home.

On the Burial Rites of Tauren

The Tauren have developed a complex burial ritual due to their nomadic life. Graveyards of Tauren tribes often act as landmarks from their past and because the dead usually had to be left behind ritualistic mummification developed to preserve the bodies. The bodies are embalmed and tightly wrapped in perfumed and oiled cloth before being wrapped in painted and patterned blankets that detail the life and history of the dead. The head of the individual is left unwrapped so that their face is never hidden from the Earthmother that she may smile down on her child through the eyes of An'she and Mu'sha.

The body is placed on an elevated bier for two reasons. One to protect if from land-bound creatures such as hyena and mountain cats while the oils and coverings protect them from birds for a time. Secondly as a representation of ascendance. The Tauren are a people of the land and their diety is one of the sky and air. By placing a body suspended between both of these two points the ritual can symbolize a transitional journey for the spirit of the dead to ascend up to the arms and grace of the Earthmother.

To aid the dead in their journey to the spirit realm possessions of the individual and gifts from their loved ones are placed around the bier in jars, baskets, and even on the body itself. Items such as kodo bones, weapons, jewelry, animal pelts, dreamcatchers to protect the dead spirit from evil influences, honor feathers, and items of personal value shared between the dead and a close friend are most commonly seen around biers.

For more details see Tauren Burial Customs and Speculation.