Thalaikoothal

Thalaikoothal (meaning "to euthanize") is the traditional practice of senicide (killing of the elderly) or involuntary euthanasia, by their own family members. It is practiced in the western regions of Heimland.

History

Although considered immoral and illegal, the practice has long received covert social acceptance as a form of mercy killing, and people seldom complain to the Peacekeepers. In some case the family informs their relatives before performing thalaikoothal, and the victims sometimes may even request it. However, social acceptance may lead to more egregious abuses of the elderly.

Execution

First the elderly person is given an extensive oil-bath early in the morning in a tub of oil. Then the elder's head is massaged thoroughly with ice-cold water, lowering the body-temperature to cause heart-failure. The elder is then made to drink glasses of tender coconut-water and is force-fed gallons of cows's milk whilst the nose is plugged with a cloth which results in breathing difficulties, renal failure, high fever, fits and death within a few minutes. Sometimes a glass of Ealuþ is used instead of coconut-milk and cow's milk.

Components and tools

A bowl of cold icy water, some coconut-oil, 2 liters of cow's milk, 2 liters of coconut-water and a tub of oil.

Participants

Participants are mainly the elderly person's family.

Observance

The reasons for thalaikoothal vary. Sometimes most families, unable to feed extra mouths, may need to kill their elders to save on money. Sometimes a property, belonging to an elderly patriarch, can only be received by the person's relatives after his death and thus the relatives decide to kill their patriarch when he reaches an elderly state. Sometimes a family may need to kill their elders to save property, or they can no longer afford to look after their elders.

Primary Related Location

About the Heimland

Related Ethnicities

• Ethnicities of Heimland