Ambassador Delenn demonstrates the Rebirth Ceremony on Babylon 5 in 2258.
The Rebirth Ceremony, or Nafak'cha is a Minbari ritual that is at its core meant to commemorate a great change that is coming or that has already come. It can also sometimes double as a marriage ceremony.[1]
Overview[]
The Ritual itself requires the participants to tell someone something that they have never told anyone before and to give up something that really matters to them. It also involved a recitation of Valen's words spoken when he brought together the nine that were to become the first Grey Council and the symbolic sharing of small pieces of red fruit. Once preparations for the ceremony have begun, it must be held within a certain amount of time. If it is not, then the ritual must be abandoned. The ceremony is a standard part of Anla'Shok training.
History[]
In 2258 Ambassador Delenn demonstrated a small part of the ceremony as part of a cross species exchange of religious ritual and belief.[1]
In 2260, Delenn called for the ceremony in the wake of such vast changes: the secession of Babylon 5 from the Earth Alliance, the breaking of the Grey Council, and the repeated wars between the members of the League of Non-Aligned Worlds. One by one, the members of the B5 command staff, the ambassadors, and even Marcus Cole declined to participate, all citing various reasons and excuses.
The ceremony was performed in the end, though much less formally, at Delenn's bedside in Medlab after her injury by the Nightwatch sniper. As part of the ceremony the B5 command staff gave up their Earthforce uniforms and everything that goes with them and each told Delenn something they had never told anyone else, even one another:[2]
- Sheridan told her how much she means to him, and while he did not know when he started to love her, he was glad it happened.
- Garibaldi told her that he's afraid all the time, not so much of what might happen to him, but of what he might do if he ever let go.
- Ivanova told her that she thinks she loved Talia.
- Franklin, the most somber of all, told her that he thinks he has a problem.
Following this display, Lennier gave the four new uniforms - symbolizing their affiliation with the Army of Light - as a token of the ceremony.
Ceremonial Recitation[]
Will you follow me into fire? Into storm? Into darkness? Into death? And the nine said, "Yes."
Then do this in testimony to the one who will follow. Who will bring death couched in the promise of new life and renewal disguised as defeat.
From birth, through death and renewal. You must put aside old things, old fears, old lives.
This is your death. The death of flesh, the death of pain. The death of yesterday. Taste of it and be not afraid. For I am with you to the end of time. Taste of it.
And so, it begins.