Bax Ma’ga – Sending Loved Ones On
Bax Ma’ga – Sending Loved Ones On
INITIATION DRAFT — Ayaawx Law page describing the Tsm̱syen responsibility and spiritual work of sending loved ones on their journey after death.
Core Meaning
Bax Ma’ga refers to the cultural, spiritual, and lawful process of **sending a loved one onward** after death. This work protects:
- the dignity of the deceased,
- the honour (łoomsk) of the wilp,
- the emotional balance of the family,
- and the spiritual continuity between generations.
Bax Ma’ga is both **practical work** and **spiritual responsibility**.
Responsibilities of the Wilp
When someone passes, the matrilineal wilp carries the primary responsibility to:
- guide the family,
- prepare the ceremonial work,
- host the Soup Feast or Smoke Feast,
- coordinate grieving protocols,
- manage the headstone and grave marker,
- and ensure the deceased is sent on with dignity.
Other Houses support, but **the wilp leads.**
The Work of Sending On
Bax Ma’ga includes several layers of responsibility:
- caring for the body and belongings,
- comforting immediate family,
- preparing the funeral or memorial,
- observing mourning practices,
- raising the headstone in due time,
- honouring helpers through Gwiikxw,
- and completing all public acknowledgements before witnesses.
Each step is part of a larger law of **letting go, honouring, and healing.**
Emotional Law
Bax Ma’ga is not only ritual — it is emotional law.
Families are given:
- time to grieve,
- time to gather strength,
- time to speak openly,
- time to restore balance.
Unresolved tension, conflict, or anger **must not be present** during the sending-on work. If necessary, a Soup Feast is held to settle internal matters so the deceased’s honour is protected.
Role of the Matriarchs
The sigyidm hana̱'a̱:
- guide the grieving family,
- help with decisions on belongings,
- maintain order during gatherings,
- ensure proper conduct (wila waal),
- and preserve the dignity of the proceedings.
Their calm presence keeps the House steady.
Role of the Simgyaget and Speakers
The simgyaget:
- speaks on behalf of the House,
- expresses grief and gratitude,
- anchors the lineage connection,
- and acknowledges those who supported the family.
The sgigithanauk ensures all words are spoken clearly and correctly.
Feast Connections
Bax Ma’ga often includes:
- a Soup Feast (Smoke Feast) for preparation,
- a memorial gathering,
- or a portion of a larger li’ligit when honouring a high-ranking person.
These gatherings:
- thank the helpers,
- honour witnesses,
- reaffirm relationships,
- and complete the obligations left for the living.
Handling Personal Belongings
Under ayaawx:
- the belongings of the deceased are handled with respect,
- distributed according to the wilp’s guidance,
- and never taken for personal gain.
Improper distribution may require ha’lidzap (correction).
The Headstone Connection
The raising of the headstone is often the **final step** in Bax Ma’ga. It signals:
- the completion of mourning,
- the fulfillment of obligations,
- and the sending on of the spirit.
Witnesses acknowledge the work as complete.
Spiritual Continuity
Tsm̱syen teachings remind us:
- our loved ones travel on,
- they join the ancestors of the House,
- they watch over the living,
- and the living honour them through proper conduct.
This connection between the living and the ancestors keeps the lineage strong.
Modern Adaptations
Today Bax Ma’ga may include:
- church services,
- cemetery protocols,
- modern materials for headstones,
- English-language eulogies.
These do not replace ayaawx — they simply sit alongside it, allowing the House to honour tradition in a modern world.
When Bax Ma’ga Is Not Done Properly
If obligations are ignored or done incorrectly:
- the House may lose honour,
- tensions may deepen,
- relationships may weaken,
- or the grieving may feel incomplete.
Correction through Soup Feast, apology, or proper acknowledgement restores balance.
Notes
INITIATION DRAFT — To be expanded with teachings from matriarchs, chiefs, and grief workers across Tsm̱syen territories.