Klingon Word of the Day for Thursday, November 28, 2019 Klingon word: 'aQvoH Part of speech: noun Definition: act of watching over a fallen warrior's body Source: qep'a' 24 [2010] _______________________________________________ In 2373, Worf and Chief O'Brien performed the *ak'voh* for crewman Enrique Muniz, who had died in combat with the Jem'Hadar. (DS9 "The Ship") Ancient Klingon tradition wherein, after a warrior had died in battle, his comrades stayed with the body to keep away predators, an act which allowed the spirit to leave the body when it was ready for the long journey to Sto-Vo-Kor. (Cf. http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/Ak%27voh ) "... Ak'voh rite, a mournful song intended to keep predators, both physical and spiritual from devouring young DaqS's spirit before it could safely reach Sto-Vo-Kor." (Michael A. Martin & Andy Mangels' "Excelsior: Forged in Fire" [2007]) (Lieven, 1/02/2018): I just re-watched episode 2 of Discovery, and indeed, T'kuvma explained why they recovered their dead warriors: He explains that when a warrior dies while sleeping, he is just flesh and bones, but a warrior who dies in battle deserves his final honorable treatment. SEE ALSO: lom corpse (n) SonchIy Sonchi ceremony (n) Heghbat ritual suicide (n) Heghtay death ritual (n) -- Voragh Ca'Non Master of the Klingons