Hrrtayyk Wookiee Initiation Ritual
When a young Wookiee reaches adulthood (usually when they are about 30 human years old) it is time for the initiation ritual, which we call the "Hrrtayyk". This is not done on an anniversary date such as a birthday. Instead, when the Wookiee feels he is ready he consults with the elders. They help determine if it is time.
The young Wookiee then selects a challenge to prove himself/herself worthy of adult status. The purpose of the initiation ritual is for a young Wook to prove his or her bravery (both to himself and to the community). Challenges vary with individuals -- but they are also selected so that they are actually difficult for the initiate to achieve. These challenges are often quite dangerous. Village elders, friends, and familty will often counsel the young Wook to help them select an appropriate challenge. And, especially for very difficult challenges, a small group of Wookiees may take the challenge as a group.
On Kashyyyk there is a reason we live in the forest canopy. It is the safest place on our planet to raise a family and build a community. As you go down through the "rings" of the forest the creatures become more dangerous. We rarely go to the surface. Anyway, the initiate will often plan a challenge that takes them down one or two levels. Armed only with a bowcaster, and frequently accompanied by an observer, the initiate goes off to complete his/her challenge. The job of the witness is not to assist in the challenge, but to observe and, if necessary, return the wounded or dead initiate to the village. Sometimes the initiate dies during the ritual. It does not happen often, but it does happen. And remember -- in many Wookiee villages there are no cloning facilities. If the Wookiee does not succeed on the first attempt, it is customary to continue trying until success has occurred.
Before setting out to fulfill the challenge, the initiate gathers his/her family and honor family (closest friends and companions) together to declare the what will be done. The Wookiee will recite their name, clan, and village of origin and tell a little about himself before stating the challenge. Following completion of the initiation ritual, the Wookiee presents himself or herself to the village as an adult. From this point on, childhood is over and the Wook is expected to live up to the responsibilities of an adult Wookiee. And of course, with responsibility comes the priviledges of adulthood.
I have found that many of the Wookiees I have met since leaving Kashyyyk either 1) left Kashyyyk before their initiations, 2) grew up in exile families that did not retain all of the Wookiee traditiions, or 3) were denied the opportunity to observe traditional Wookiee cultural practices. A number of exile Wookiees have done their initiations on their own off-world.
This was my case. Unfortunately, I had to leave Kashyyyk just before my initiation. My uncle and I were concerned that the smuggler's network might collapse and that I would miss my only chance to leave. So, I had to undertake my ritual on Corellia. I gathered my honor family at my house and gave my initiation speech. I then declared what I had chosen for my challenge. After I completed the ritual I notified them of my success and I was then an adult.