Koon-ut-la

The koon-ut-la is a betrothal ceremony on Vulcan, usually performed between two young Vulcans in their seventh year. The betrothal is performed by a Vulcan high priestess who joins the minds of the male and female. The telepathic link is intended, when they have reached sexual maturity, to drive the couple to plak-tow or blood fever, to completion of the bond and consummation of the marriage. However, a betrothal ceremony does not always result in a successful marriage.

It is traditional for the girl’s uncle or another male relative to perform the role of pele-ut-la, or chaperone, prior to the betrothal ceremony. Spock assumed this role for his young relative Teska prior to her koon-ut-la ceremony. It is traditional for the female to eat tono-pak berries every hour until the betrothal ceremony, as a symbol of the end of her childhood and coming womanhood. (TOS novel: Mind Meld)