BAJORANS

Humanoid civilization from planet Bajor. They appear human except for a few ridges on the bridge of their nose. The Bajorans have a two part name but the personal, or 'given', name comes last. Given names are only used between friends and it is an honour for someone to say for you to use it. Bajorans can usually be seen wearing an earing on one of their ears. This wearing of silver earrings is a direct link to the belief in the Pagh, or life force, that can be sensed by the Monks through the ear. Many scientists have taken to not wearing an earring in a break from traditions, they have developed doubts in the Pagh belief even though its predictions are very accurate most of the time. Every Bajoran wearing an earring has a unique design that can link it to the person. Often a characteristic effect or insignia is carried down through the generations of a family.

Bajoran culture flourish a half-million years ago, when humans on Earth were not yet standing erect. The Bajoran people are deeply spiritual, but their history also recorded many great architects, artists, builders, and philosophers. Bajoran culture declined seriously during decades of Cardassian occupation in the 24th century, during which most Bajorans were driven from their homeworld.

Bajoran traveled in space at least eight centuries ago, using Bajoran solar-sail vessels to explore their star system. Some ancient Bajoran space travelers even made it all the way to Cardassia. As recently as the 22nd century, Bajoran society was strictly divided into D'Jarras, or castes. A family's D'Jarra determined its status in society, as well as what occupation its workers could hold. Under Bajoran custom, a person's family name is first, followed by the given name. Most Bajorans wear ornamental earring, a symbol of their spiritual devotion.

A deeply religious people, Bajorans look to their spiritual leader, the kai, for leadership and guidance. The Bajoran religious faith was a powerful force in their society, and helped give the Bajoran People the spiritual guidance strength to survive the brutal Cardassian opression. The Bajoran religion believes that ships are safely quided through the wormhole by the Prophets and that the Celestial Temple dwells within the passage. Some conservative Bajoran religious leaders tried to suppress scientific theories of the wormhole's creation, believing that the teaching of science lessened the religious leaders' political power. In 2371, newly-elected Kai Winn began the process of healing her people's wounds with the signing of a historic peace accord with the Cardassians. The news of the treaty sent shock waves throughout the entire quadrant.

An old Bajoran saying holds that "The land and the people are one." Traditional Bajoran beliefs hold that the soul of the dead is far more important than the physical remains.
 

 

BAJOR

Bajor was claimed as Cardassian territory from about 2328. The D'Jarra castesystem was abolished in the 24th century when all Bajorans, regardless of D'Jarra, were called upon to fight Cardassian oppression. The Cardassians formally annexed Bajor in 2339, and occupied the planet until 2369, when Bajoran resistance fighters finally drove them away. A Bajoran provisional governement assumed authority for planetary governement, led by the Bajoran Chamber of Ministers, which was headed by the Bajoran First Minister. Also highly influential in governemental affairs is the religious Vedek Assembly, led by the kai. Unpon the departure of the Cardassians, the Bajoran provisional governement requested Federation assistance in operating the former Cardassian space station Terok Nor, now designated Deep Space 9. After the Cardassian occupation,the Federation Council agreed to provide the provisional governement with two industrial replicators to help them rebuild their economic base.

A wormhole, known as the Bajoran wormhole, is a subspace passaway linking the Bajor sector of the Alpha Quadrant with the Gamma Quadrant. Millenia ago, the wormhole, know to the Bajoran people as the Celestial Temple, was home to two forms of energy beings, later known as the Bajoran Prophets and the Pah-wraiths. The Pah-wraiths were banished from the wormhole to the fire caves of Bajor.
 

 

BIOLOGY
 
 Bajoran women carry their children for less than five months. Because they have a relatively short gestation period, they vasculize very quickly. Mother and child form a complex interconnecting network of blood vessels. Bajoran women often have fits of uncontrollable sneezing while pregnant. In Bajoran childbirth, relaxation of the mother is essential. Participants at the birthing ceremony play rythmic instruments to help her reach a fully
relaxed state. When the child arrives, all present verbally welcome the child into the world.
 

 

TRADITIONS

Bajoran Gratitude Festival: Annual Bajoran celebration of great importance to the Bajoran people. During the holiday, participants wrote down their problems on Renewal Scrolls, then placed them to be burned in a special brazier so that their troubles could symbolically turn to ashes. Bateret leaves were traditionally burned during the festival. The celebration was also called the Peldor Festival, and had been celebrated as far back as 20,000 years ago.

Bajoran Days of Atonement: Holy Festival

Festival of Lights: Celebration held during Ha'mara, the Bajoran holiday held on the anniversary of the Emissary's arrival.

Ha'mara: Bajoran holiday held on the anniversary of the Emissary's arrival. During Ha'mara, the Bajoran people show their gratitude to the Prophets for sending the Emissary to them, by fasting and by a Festival of Lights.

Bajor Time of Cleansing: Bajoran ritual in which the participants abstain from worldly pleasures.

Ih'tanu Ceremony: Traditional Bajoran ritual performed when a girl reached the age of 14.

Orb of the Prophets.
 

 

 WEDDING DIVORCE AND FUNERAL

Bajoran death Chant: Funeral ritual of the Bajoran people. It was reputed to be over 2 hours long.

Duranja: Bajoran ceremonial lamp for the dead; a one-meter high ornate candle holder in which a flame was kept continually lit in memory of a recently deceased loved one. Ritual prayers were said over the lamp entrating the Prophets to guide the deceased into heaven.

Weddings: Traditional Bajoran weddings are conducted in accordance with ancient texts including Horran's Seventh Prophecy, which starts, "He will come to the palace, carrying a chalice overflowing with sweet spring wine."

Rite of separation: Bajoran custom practiced by a couple who are dissolving their romantic relationship. In the custom the couple spend several days celebrating their parting. When done correctly, the rite of separation allows a friendly party with no hurt feeling or recriminations.
 

  

FOOD AND FLORA

Bateret leaves:

Bajoran lilac: Variety of floriculture indegenous to planet Bajor.

Bajoran Shrimp: small edible marine decapod indegenous to the green oceans of Bajor.

Groat cakes: Bajoran breakfast food.

Hasperat: Bajoran burrito whose filling is made with a specially prepared brine. Prepared correctly, it will make eyes water and will sear tongue.

Jumja tea: beverage brewed from the sweet sap of the Bajoran Jumja tree.

Kava juice: beverage made from squeezing the roots of Bajoran Kava plant.

Veklava: Bajoran food.

Tuwaly pie: Bajoran dessert.

Takeo herbs: Bajoran plants valued for their medicinal value.

Spring Wine: Intoxicating Bajoran beverage.

Ratamba stew: traditional Bajoran dish.

Pyrellian ginger tea: Bajoran beverage.

Palukoo: large arachnids indigenous to the Bajoran moons. They were used as a source of food by the Bajoran resistance.

Moba jam: Presserves made from the Bajoran moba fruit.

Mapa bread: Bajoran baked food made from grain meal.

Makara herbs: Native Bajoran flora, hoted for their medicinal value.

Kava roll: small Bajoran bread

Kava nut: edible fruit of Bajoran plant.

Kava juice: Beverage made from squeezing the roots of a Bajoran Kava plant.

Katterpod beans: Bajoran agricultural product which ressembles an Earth mushroom.

Alva: small pale yellow fruit indigenous to Bajor.

Barrowbug: insect life indigenous to the planet Bajor.

Groat: the grain of a cereal grass widely cultivated on Bajor and providing a flour used for baked goods such as bread and pastries.
 

 

VOCABULARY

Pagh: Bajoran word for life energy or soul.

Peldar Joy: Bajoran greeting used during the Gratitude Festival.
Balik (am): Shouted by Keeve Falor to children. Possibly "go away"or "get out of here".

(Beli) Clavian: Bajoran musical instrument. Most likely wind instrument similar to a Clarinet.

Boryhas: Bajoran term for ghosts or spirits of the dead.

D'jarras: Ancient Bajoran caste system.

Deranya: Lamp for the dead. Candle suspended by chains from four pillars.

Itanu: Cerimony carried out when a child reaches the age of fourteen.

Tessipate, Decipate, Kellipate: Bajoran measures of distance and area.

Spoon head: Racist slang term used by some Bajorans to refer to Cardassians.

Sean: Bajoran word which meant swamp.

Lita: unit of monetary exchange on Bajor.

"Ah - kay - ah. A - ya Va - suu. Ko - van - ha. E - kay - ha.": Bajoran Death Chant. Repeated over and over again for excess of 3 hours.

"Tesra Peldar Impadre Bren. Bentel Veytan Olan Sten.": Presiders address at the Gratitude Festival.

"Raka Ja Hoot. Shalla Moralla. Emma Buru Kana. Uranak Rana Non (Person's Name). Propay Va Nara Eh Suuk. Shalla Com...": Bajoran chant for recent deaths. Used with the Deranya lamp.

"Shakala tie unsyor. Tevan akares kova antana kel." - Marriage  blessing by the Emissary.
 

 

MISCELLANEOUS