This article or section refers to elements from Original Dune |
A Tahaddi Challenge was a Fremen challenge to mortal combat, usually to test some primal issue, such if leadership was challenged or to test a prophecy.
Paul Atreides killed Jamis in mortal combat after Jamis invoked the Amtal Rule, and issued the Tahaddi Challenge to him.
Succession[]
In Fremen society, someone wishing to become the Naib of the tribe must "call out" the current Naib; issue the Tahaddi Challenge and fight to the death.
When Paul Atreides took the mantle of Mahdi, he changed this custom, refusing to call Stilgar out, as he did not want to weaken the Fremen before their battle against the Harkonnen. He also did not want to kill his friend. He made it extremely clear to the Fremen that no one man could stand against him in single combat, and that it was foolish for the Fremen to kill their best and wisest leaders for the sake of ritual.