When a member of the tribe dies the tribe will gather around that evening to sit vigil. It's during this time they'll share stories about the deceased to celebrate their life with the tribe. It's not uncommon for the deceased to be rubbed with juniper and pine needles to mask their scent. As soon as the sun rises a group of senior guardians along with one of the high rankings within the tribe will take the dead tribe-mate out of the camp away from others. It is here where they'll remove some of the cat's teeth, cleaning them off and then burying their dead tribe-mate. Ripple Tribe cats are always to be buried near a source of water so they can listen to it in the after-life.
Cats are often buried with some worldly possessions they owned or other things. It said to bring them good fortune when they find their way to the Celestials. This could be anything from shells, flowers, clay sculptures or food.
Memory Necklaces
The memory necklace is something the cats of Ripple Tribe hold very close. It's a sacred tradition that all of the tribe follow and respect. They are necklaces made of tried reed, twine and the teeth of those departed. When a tribe mate dies those closest to them will take one of their teeth and tie it onto the necklace. This is usually for family, but may extend to friendships or close bonds between a mentor and trainee. It's believed that wearing the teeth of lost loved ones keep their memory alive and spirit close. The tradition is a means of showing respect to the deceased.
If someone dies with a Memory Necklace of their own the fangs on the necklace are divided out among their mate or children. If a cat lacks any next of kin the teeth on their Memory Necklace will go down to their close friends or (former) mentor/trainee. Instead of removing and dividing out the fangs from a necklace it isn't uncommon for the necklace to be kept in tact and simply worn. This is usually only the case when they have few kin or they all come to an agreement to let one cat carry on with the Memory Necklace.
Many of the cats outside of Ripple Tribe find the practice to be barbaric as removing the teeth can be difficult. Usually they need forcefully removed. Some skilled cats will simply use their claws, others will tie reeds around a tooth and pull them out. In some instances of difficulty rocks may be used.
Tribal Crafts
Clay Sculpting & Pottery
Living so close to water the tribe never has a shortage of clay. Using a combination of their paws and control over water they'll sculpt the clay. Over countless generations the cats of Ripple Tribe have used clay to make pottery or even little figurines and sculptures. After a cat is done molding and working the clay piece it'll be set out in the sun to dry. If a cat is skilled enough in their element they may draw out the moisture for a faster process.
Pottery like bowls that will be used to hold water or other wet substance have an additional step compared once dried out. It'll need to be polished to properly seal the inside for holding things such as water. Using their paw or some other medium like moss the inside of the bowl will need to be slightly dampened. Using a smooth stone they rub it around the inside of the pottery until it's fully polished and sealed. The process can take some time so properly polished pottery is deemed much more precious to the cats.
Once the pottery or sculpt is dry enough it's placed into a pit. Sticks, leaves and other materials like dried grass are placed over the top and a fire is started. Someone is watching the fire at all times, adding to it and fanning as needed. They'll then cover the fire up with dirt and sand after it is down to coals and embers. It's left to sit and by the next day the fully fired pottery is removed from the ashes.
While still being sculpted a skilled enough in the craft may decorate the pottery or sculpt in a variety of different ways. Some use leaf or plant imprints to create others, others may use their claws. Certain design and pattern making knowledge is usually passed down from parents to their offspring as a family-held secret of the craft.
Jewelry & Decorations
Ripple Tribe is known for making jewelry and other adornments with shells, dried reeds and sometimes pieces of bone. The shells used typically come from different types of freshwater clams. They're usually gathered in the Southern portion of the territory in the shallower water. Sometimes they can be found right in the central river that divides the land when the waters are calm. Most shells are a brownish tan or cream in color, but some can have a green or pink hue to them. Ones that are greenish in color are seen as more valuable.
The shells or pieces of bone are often tied into twine to form bangles, necklaces and other accessories. For a very skilled cat they may be able to wear a hole in a shell to thread twine through it instead. The dried reeds or grass are tied with twine to form a bangle worn around the upper legs or ankles. The dried reeds will dangle down creating an exotic look the tribe is quite fond of. These bangles are more often seen on she-cats, but any gender is acceptable to wear them.
In general the cats of Ripple Tribe enjoy wearing decorations and adornments on a daily-basis. Perhaps more-so than some of the other tribes who only dress up for certain traditions. It's not uncommon to see every cat within the tribe wearing some shape of decoration at any time.
Reading Ripples
The cats of the Tribe of Ripples are known for their prowess over manipulating water. They use it for a variety of things, but one of the more uncommon things is for fortune telling. They call this process 'reading the ripples'. A cat will sit down at a still pool of water. Any water is fine, but it's said the purest water melted from the last snows of winter is to be more accurate. They may make their own shallow pit for the pool or use something as simple as a large bowl. A small pebble from the river will be dropped into the water and the cat will be able to tell another's fortune from it. Some believe the process fully, but others can be skeptical. It's primarily a skill done by elders, but it's not unheard of for a particularly skilled younger cat picking up the trade.
Bone Piercings
Adornments for the cats of the Tribe of Ripples does not stop at jewelry. They've mastered the skill of being able to pierce. Piercings are often done in the ears, but it's not unheard of for ones through the nose. Piercings through the nose are often more painful making those who do have them come off as very brave or strong. The cats will take a bone and file it down using rocks or their element of water. Once it has a sharp, need-like point they'll use it for piercing. After piercing it they'll remove the bone-needle and instead thread through the intended piece of jewelry.
The piercings themselves are made of bone too. Bones are filed down and shaped to create elaborate piercings of jewelry. A very skilled cat in the craft may even make elaborate etchings and grooves into the bone piercing. Any type of bone may be used for piercing after it's dried out in the sun completely. The leg bones of mice are most commonly used, but any type of sturdy enough bone is possible. Sometimes the piercings will have twine tied on them with shells to create quite the elaborate pieces. Painting the bone piercings is reserved for higher ranks or those seen to be deserving of it.
Paint Symbols
The tribes of the Land of Echoes have used paints to mark their fur for many generations. Each tribe has their own colors and symbols that represent certain virtues and ranks. It's said to be good fortune to be painted with symbols before battles or summonings and each symbol will bring the cat it's intended virtue. The paints are made from various things on the tribe's territories and over time has changed over the years. During battles cats are decorated with many symbols, but at summonings the paints are less detailed aside from those of higher ranking.
The Tribe of Reflecting Ripples uses clay for paint but also gets their blue paint from The Tribe of Thorned Heather. It's usually made from lapis, azurite or if desperate, blackberries.