On Thu, 20 Feb 2003, Ram�n Domingo Herreras wrote:
>
> Perhaps in Dara Happa Griffins feed of the deceased`s corpses. If
> Dara Happan funerary costumes are similar to those of ancient Persia or the
> modern parsi religion, the corpses are not burned or buried so the elements
> are not corrupted and are placed in special buildings ("the towers of
> silence") for the carrion birds to eat them.
>
> Besides, nowdays the carcasses of naturally dead cattle are carried
> to places near the vulture`s colonies. Perhaps similar costumes are
> followed in Dara Happa and other places that venerate griffins. It can be
> used even as a form of making sacrifices and executing criminals.
Funeral towers sound good, but I think burning on smokeless fires is a
rather established custom. Then again, there's a rather small amount of
material on Dara Happa, and the smokeless fires bit could just be for
those colonial Yelmalians (often converted Storm worshippers
originally).
It would sound like a nice custom for a spesific class (priesthood?),
family or city of Dara Happa.
-Adept