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The Days of Mourning
With the death of the Eagle’s leader, it has come time for a ritual to ease the transition for both Ayar and her clan/family. The scene is one of mourning, but keep in mind death is not fearful to them, but rather considered a final transformation.
The proposed rites to follow this death are outlined below, though they are certainly open for discussion. We had thought that days 2 and 3 might be covered rapidly as extended narrative posts to advance the time frame (if everyone is agreeable). Days 1 and 4 could be dealt with in more detail. Does this sound practical for everyone?
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The day of the death:
-A small pot of water would be placed outside the tent were Ayar died.
-A high bier would be constructed outside the camp and Ayar’s body washed.
-Thorn would carry Ayar to the bier and place her on it, followed by Ráma and Narika, and then the rest of the clan.
-Narika and Ráma would arrange their mother to be comfortably facing west.
-All remaining possessions belonging to Ayar would be burned in front of her body at sunset, so that nothing might keep her from flying free of her body.
-The clan would join in songs to encourage Ayar to leave for the west, and assuring her that they will be all right.
-A smoky fire is kept near the body, for the next few days.
Day 2:
-At sunset the clan would gather again to sing this time in camp, once more encouraging Ayar to leave as well as recounting tales of her ancestors.
Day 3:
-The body is burned and the remains buried.
-At sunset again the clan would gather in camp singing about the ancestors and adding a new song about Ayar.
Day 4:
- The pot of water is symbolically upturned by family members, and the clan is now free to move on.
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