The Koon-ut-kal-if-fee is a mating ritual conducted by the Vulcan people and has been part of their culture since before the time of Surak. (TOS novel: Vulcan's Soul)
Most Vulcan couples are betrothed and are linked telepathically as children during a ceremony called the Koon-ut-la. (TOS novel: “Mind Meld”) An unbonded Vulcan may make a ritual marriage proposal, the Koon-ut-so'lik, to the person of his or her choice. (Star Trek: Voyager episode: “Blood Fever”) Some couples choose to formalize their union with a bonding ceremony that takes place years before they are in pon farr.
For others, the bonding, which itself constitutes a legal marriage, takes place during the koon-ut-kal-if-fee. The male in pon farr greets his wife with the words “Parted from me and never parted, never and always touching and touched. We meet at the appointed place.“ The woman replies: “Parted from me and never parted, never and always touching and touched. I await you.” The ritual means "marriage or challenge." The telepathic link leads them to one another when they enter pon farr.
In most cases, if the female accepts the proposal made by the male's parents, and there are no other challengers the marriage ceremony will proceed without the need for combat. However, if two Vulcans desire the same mate during the pon farr, or if the female mate rejects the male's proposal (which was made during childhood by the parents), this will lead to combat. In this case the kal-if-fee is a fight of passion in which Vulcans fight over another's mate. These fights can lead to the death of one of the parties, and outsiders are not permitted to interfere during the ritual. As part of the ritual, the female can choose a defender to fight for her which can include herself, another male or even an alien. She will become the property of the victor. The kal-if-fee is the only way a female has to end the marriage. (TOS episode: "Amok Time", VOY episode: "Blood Fever")
In most instances, there is no challenge and there is a normal ceremony officiated by a Vulcan priest or priestess. (TOS novel: “Mind Meld”, ENT episode: “Home”) Several areas are set aside on Vulcan for the ritual ceremony. (TOS novel: Spock's World) The male is accompanied by his closest friends at the ceremony. During the ceremony, the male strikes a gong. The bride and her attendants enter, accompanied by the ringing of bells. The officiant says: “What you are about to witness comes down from the time of the beginning without change. This is the Vulcan heart. This is the Vulcan soul. This is our way. Kal-if-farr!” (TOS episode: “Amok Time”, TOS novel: “Vulcan's Heart”) When they bond, the bride and groom kneel to face each other, in front of the officiant, and touch their middle and index fingers. (ENT episode: “Home“) They tell each other: “I would bond with thee, ever, and always touching and touched.” (TOS novel: Spock's World) At the conclusion of the ceremony, if there has not been a challenge issued, a couple in pon farr are led to a private room, often located at a temple, where they consummate their marriage. (TOS novel: Vulcan's Heart) An attempt to sever the bond between a married couple is the greatest possible crime on Vulcan. ( TOS novel: The Vulcan Academy Murders)
External links
- Koon-ut-kal-if-fee article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.