Adulthood Rites

Akin experiences a sense of disconnection from his sibling Tiikuchahk, considering them his “least interesting sibling” (202). He strongly opposes going to Chkahichdahk, the Oankali home ship, to the extent that he decides against saying goodbye to anyone.

The village organizes a feast for Akin and Tiikuchahk. Akin perceives a lack of respect from his elders regarding his opinions, particularly his understanding of and affection for humans. During a discussion about their futures with an older sister, the siblings express feeling distant from each other. Despite Tiikuchahk’s desire to become male—a reason not to accompany Akin—they decide to go anyway, indicating deep hurt from their separation. Akin bids farewell to Lilith, who advises him that to aid the resisters, he must learn more about the Oankali.

As Akin and Tiikuchahk journey with Dichaan on a shuttle to Chkahichdahk, Akin observes them from a human perspective. He notes that “they slowly bec[o]me alien to him, bec[o]me ugly, bec[o]me almost frightening” (218). This underscores the complex reality of Akin being caught between his two identities.

Akin and Tiikuchahk arrive on Chkahichdahk. They are guided by Dichaan through a massive tunnel of living tissue, which makes Akin feel small due to his human male size, unlike most Oankali. Along the path, they bring peculiar animals to a room furnished with resister items, where they encounter a male, female, and ooloi Oankali. This group senses the distance between Akin and Tiikuchahk. Akin desperately yearns to return to Earth.

Akin encounters an Akjai, the purest form of Oankali, initiating a learning process as it endeavors to unlock Akin’s potential and senses. Akin confides in the Akjai about his plan to transform another planet into a home for the resisters, where they won’t have to coexist with the Oankali. The Akjai agrees with Akin’s idea but emphasizes the necessity of reuniting and connecting with his sibling through an ooloi.

Akin continues to shadow the Akjai, absorbing their knowledge and experiences. Growing fond of the Akjai, he shares more about his plans for the humans on Earth. He wants to fulfill his promise to Tate by creating a new home for them.

Akin and Tiikuchahk meet the ooloi student who is meant to facilitate their connection by mating with Akin. Both Akin and the ooloi student are nervous, and the process proves uncomfortable and painful for Akin. Despite his initial reluctance, Akin eventually relents, understanding Tiikuchahk’s desperation to establish a connection. He allows the ooloi student to touch him.

Akin wakes up alone, feeling confused. Soon, the ooloi, Dehkiaht, returns. Akin discovers an unexpected desire for Dehkiaht to stay close, feeling a sense of possessiveness. However, he realizes that the mating process did not bring him closer to his sibling. Dehkiaht admits to being unable to bind the siblings. Akin is confused about his desires, feeling both a sexual attraction to the ooloi—something he hadn’t thought possible—and uncertainty about being woven into a family. He confides in Dehkiaht about his plans to establish an Akjai human society, aiming to grant them the freedom to fail.

Dehkiaht spreads the idea of Akjai humans throughout the Oankali, and to Akin’s surprise, there is little dissent. However, skepticism prevails, with doubts about whether humans could succeed; the Oankali ask, “Could Humans be given back their independent lives and allowed to ride their Contradiction to their deaths?” (247), referring to the contradiction between the humans’ combination of intelligence and hierarchical tendencies. Akin tries to convince them that humans should be given a chance. Akin’s Akjai teacher intervenes, putting him to sleep and promising to argue on his behalf.

Akin awakens with his sibling and Dehkiaht, and soon, the Akjai joins them to share the group’s decision. Akin learns that the Akjai perceive him as something deliberately created and left with the resisters to gain a profound understanding of their perspective rather than just a biological understanding. Despite considering an Akjai human group as a likely path to death, they agree with Akin’s idea. Dehkiaht agrees to assist him, and Akin, feeling sexually and emotionally bonded to them, is glad.