Minbari Rebirth Ceremony - The sci-fi series BABYLON 5/SYN/1994-98 introduced a number of new alien races including the Minbari who celebrate the Minbari Rebirth Ceremony, also  called the Nafak'Cha (it also doubles as a marriage ceremony). The ceremony commemorates a great change that is coming or that is already here. A key element of the ceremony requires each participant to reveal to another a secret that has never been told to anyone else and to give away something that is of great value to him. The closing ceremony recreates the forming of the Grey Council, (the ruling body of nine Minbari chosen from the society's three caste: Warrior, Religious, Worker). A portion of the ceremony follows [Leader of group says] "Will you follow me into fire, into storm, into darkness, into death?" [The Nine answer in the affirmative]  "Then do it in testimony to the one who will follow, who will bring death, couched in the promise of new life, and renewal, disguised as defeat. [A red fruit is  shared then the Leader continues] "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." 

"This so-called 'new religion' is nothing but a pack of weird rituals and chants, designed to take away the money of fools. Let us say the Lord's Prayer 40 times, but first, let's pass the collection plate!"
	--Reverend Lovejoy, The Simpsons

Back to Top