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Bajorans have two names. The first is the family name, equivalent to a Terran surname. The second is a given name, equivalent to a Terran first name or Christian name. Bajorans refer to each other by their family name unless permission is given to use their given name as a form of address. For example, a Bajoran named Kenara Jor would be referred to by most people as “Kenara” and by friends and family as “Jor”. | Bajorans have two names. The first is the family name, equivalent to a Terran surname. The second is a given name, equivalent to a Terran first name or Christian name. Bajorans refer to each other by their family name unless permission is given to use their given name as a form of address. For example, a Bajoran named Kenara Jor would be referred to by most people as “Kenara” and by friends and family as “Jor”. | ||
[[Image:BajoranIdeograph.jpg|right|thumb|''Example of Bajoran script.'']] | |||
===Language=== | ===Language=== | ||
The Bajoran language is written in the form of ideographs. Key words and phrases can be found by following the links below:- | The Bajoran language is written in the form of ideographs. Key words and phrases can be found by following the links below:- | ||
Revision as of 22:14, 23 September 2009
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Bajor
Bajor is an M-Class world orbiting a star that is not dissimilar to Sol. It is the 7th planet out of 14 in its system. Its surface is 68% ocean and 32% land. Its gravity is similar to earth. Bajor has 5 moons. The Bajoran day is 26 Earth-hours long.
Bajor's location is of great strategic important in the Alpha Quadrant as it lies very close to a stable wormhole. Traffic through the Bajoran wormhole is co-ordinated by the joint Federation/Bajoran administrated space station, Deep Space Nine.
Geography
Bajor is divided into 6 main provinces that are largely contained within its main continent of Bha’hagh. These are Tozhat, Dahkur, Lonar, Hedrikspool, Musilla and Rakantha.
History
Bajoran history can be loosely split up into ages. It is worth noting that the Bajoran civilisation is among one of the oldest in the galaxy, dating back some 500,000 years. The table below contains significant dates present in Earth-Gregorian format.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| c. 27,672 B.C. | First Republic (aka First Age). Many artistic masterpieces and cultural treasures were completed during this time. |
| c. 19,672 B.C. | Second Age. During this period of time, the planet fell into a long period of civil conflicts and changes of philosophy and attitude ensued. |
| c. 18,672 B.C. | Second Republic. A period of cultural stability and enlightenment that spanned millennia. During this time the D’jarra system was in use. Considerable scientific and cultural progress was made during this time. |
| 2328 | Cardassians land on Bajor. Ill-prepared for an alien invasion, the Bajorans were easily subdued by the Cardassian people, leading to four decades of occupation. During this timeframe, the Cardassians began to strip-mine Bajor for resources needed to support their own homeworld. Resistance fighters fought the invasionary force using terrorism and guerrilla warfare. Many Bajorans were displaced from their homeworld over the course of the Occupation, mostly ending up in refugee camps. Some joined Starfleet, and a number of Bajorans serve on Starfleet ships at the present time. |
| 2369 | Cardassians withdraw from Bajor. The costs of occupying the planet due to Resistance activity resulted in the recommendation to abandon the planet being approved. Terok Nor, the mining station that orbited the planet, was renamed Deep Space Nine in an agreement with the Federation, who had been invited to assist in the station’s administration. |
| 2369 | Bajoran Wormhole discovered. The discovery of the Alpha Quadrant’s first stable wormhole in the Denorios Belt, terminating in an orbit of the Idran star in the Gamma Quadrant, placed Bajor on the intergalactic political map with a vengeance. |
| 2371 | Dominion Cold War. After the eradication of the population of New Bajor, the first Bajoran colony in the Gamma Quadrant, Bajor was drawn into a cold war with the Dominion alongside its Federation allies. Fears that Bajor could be the first victim of an invasion fleet led to the bolstering of Deep Space Nine’s defences and the assignment of the U.S.S. Defiant to the sector. |
| 2373 | The lost city of B’halla is rediscovered by Benjamin Sisko. |
| 2373 | Bajor’s application to become a member of the Federation is accepted, but on the recommendation of the Emissary of the Prophets, Kai Winn withdraws. It is expected that Bajor will re-petition to join in the near future. |
| 2373 | Dominion War. While the Federation and the Klingon Empire found themselves at war with the Dominion, Bajor, at the behest of the Emissary of the Prophets, Captain Benjamin Sisko, signed a non-aggression treaty to keep them out of the fighting. When Deep Space Nine was commandeered by Dominion forces in 2373, Major Kira Nerys of the Bajoran militia led a secret Resistance cell designed to prevent the Dominion from bringing reinforcements through the wormhole. Despite the failure of the cell, the invasionary fleet would be scuttled by the Prophets themselves after an appeal by the Emissary. |
| 2374 | The Reckoning, a battle between a Prophet and a Pagh-wraith, takes place on Deep Space Nine. If the Prophet wins, it will usher in the Golden Age of Bajor. However, the event does not run to a natural conclusion as Kai Winn bombards the location of the battle with chroniton radiation. |
| 2375 | The Dominion is defeated and the war concludes. As of this time Bajor is still not a member of the Federation. |
Politics
The Bajoran world government runs on a democratic system. Ministers are elected into power, as are the First Minister (government leader) and the Kai (Spiritual leader of Bajor).
The Bajoran Government
Initially established as a provisional entity to govern world and interstellar politics, the Bajoran Government is led by the First Minister. All day-to-day policies regarding Bajor, including the judiciary system and diplomatic assignments are co-ordinated through this organisation. The Bajoran Government is also in direct command of the Bajoran Militia. Ministers are elected through democratic means. The seat of the Government is in the Chamber of Ministers in the Bajoran capital.
The Vedek Assembly
The Vedek Assembly holds considerable sway over the planet’s legal and cultural administration. The Kai and the First Minister often consult each other, and while their jurisdiction does not often coincide it is important for both leaders to be of an agreed political standpoint as often as possible. In 2371 Kai Winn became the first leader of the Vedek Assembly to ever serve as First Minister. After the Cardassian Occupation, the Vedek Assembly was the only official organisation with any political standing left on the planet until the inauguration of the Provisional Government in 2369.
The Circle
In 2370 a xenophobic terrorist movement known as the Circle seized control of the Bajoran Provisional government under the leadership of Minister Jaro Essa. Despite the coup eventually being reversed, it had lasting repercussions on Bajor due to the election of Kai Winn, whose involvement with Minister Jaro aided her campaign a great deal. The Circle’s motto was “Bajor for the Bajorans”, reflecting the introverted nature of the Bajoran people, but amplifying it into something twisted and violent. The official political party whose motives were embraced by the Circle was known as the Alliance for Global Unity.
The Maquis
Some Bajorans have been known to show sympathy to the ideals of the Maquis due to their crusade against the Cardassians. Ro Laren was such an individual, and defected to their cause from Starfleet in 2370. On occasion, Major Kira Nerys expressed an affinity with their point of view, but never on an official basis and without actions to back up such an opinion. The Maquis were all but wiped out shortly after Cardassia joined the Dominion in 2373.
Legal System
The Bajoran judiciary system is not dissimilar to that of the Federation. Representatives are called to present their case to an arbitrator, who considers their evidence and witness depositions before making a ruling according to Bajoran law.
Commerce
Bajor enjoys healthy trade of arable crops and mineral resources with the Federation and other, smaller local powers.
Interstellar Politics
Bajor enjoys a healthy and friendly relationship with the United Federation of Planets, and it is intended that they will eventually become members after having withdrawn from an approved membership arrangement in 2373 on the advice of Captain Benjamin Sisko.
Bajor’s relationship with Cardassia was repaired in 2371 following a treaty signed by Kai Winn after much of the diplomatic groundwork was laid out by Vedek Bareil. Bareil died during the negotiation proceedings despite efforts by Lieutenant Julian Bashir, Chief Medical Officer of Deep Space Nine.
Bajoran
| Intelligent Lifeform Index |
|---|
| Canreb/Canreb temp work page | |
|---|---|
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| Four Letter Code | BJRN |
| Federation Status | Allied |
| Planet of Origin | Bajor |
| Encountered | TNG: Ensign Ro, (and throughout the DS9 series) |
| T/E Rating | T0/E0 |
| Current Tech Level | K+ |
| List of Named Canreb/Canreb temp work pages | |
| |
Full ILI Gallery • Permitted Species Gallery | |
Physiology
Bajorans physically resemble many of the other humanoid species of the galaxy, bearing a strong resemblance to Terrans and Betazoids. Their most distinguishing feature is a series of around five horizontal ridges on the bridge of the nose. Other key physiological differences include a heart that is mirrored along a horizontal axis rather than the vertical axis seen in the Terran heart, and a gestation period for Bajoran infants of only five months, accompanied by frenetic and uncontrollable sneezing rather than morning sickness.
Psychology
Originally peaceful and introverted, the Bajoran people were somewhat uninterested in contact with other species. Despite one of their solar sailing craft arriving in Cardassian space as a result of tachyon winds near the Denorios Belt, Bajorans made little attempt to explore and colonise worlds further than their own system. They were neither friendly nor unfriendly with other species, instead showing courteous hospitality to those met. However, after 40 years of occupation under the Cardassian Union, the mindset of a large proportion of the Bajoran people has significantly altered. Most tend towards being courteous and hospitable, but there are many whose attitude reflects the violation that their people suffered, leaving them quick to anger, stubborn and impulsive. Bajorans share an extremely strong bond with their homeworld. It is written in an ancient proverb that “The Land and the People are One.”
Culture and Society
The Bajoran culture is widely regarded as one of the richest in the galaxy, having had around half a million years to evolve and prosper.
Earrings
Bajoran earrings are an indication of their faith in the Prophets. They also served other purposes, for example it has been assumed that they served to signify the d’jarra of the wearer. Many Bajorans have personalised their own earrings, indeed Kira Nerys was able to identify the earring of Li Nalas after it was delivered to Deep Space Nine by the Boslic freighter captain Rionoj early in 2370.
Food
Bajorans enjoy a variety of different foodstuffs, the most popular of which are hasperat (a spicy wrapped dish resembling a Terran burrito), kava juice, and Spring Wine, a blue-hued alcoholic beverage brewed from kava.
Art & Music
Art is held in high regard in Bajoran culture, and children are taught from as young as four years old. Artists often held a high position within the d’jarra system. A popular musical instrument on Bajor is the belaklavion, which is not dissimilar to a Terran clarinet in appearance. Its timbre, however is more akin to terran panpipes. The Jalanda Forum was a popular location for musical performances and dramatic entertainment up until the Occupation. Bajoran music is largely based on quartal harmony, giving it a spacious and meditational feel.
Names
Bajorans have two names. The first is the family name, equivalent to a Terran surname. The second is a given name, equivalent to a Terran first name or Christian name. Bajorans refer to each other by their family name unless permission is given to use their given name as a form of address. For example, a Bajoran named Kenara Jor would be referred to by most people as “Kenara” and by friends and family as “Jor”.
Language
The Bajoran language is written in the form of ideographs. Key words and phrases can be found by following the links below:-
Database of commonly used Bajoran words and phrases An analysis of the Bajoran language created by Deranged Nasat
D’jarras
D’jarra refers to a caste system that was in operation on Bajor during the Second Republic. Bajorans held different standings in the community based on their professions, and artists and other culturalists were held in high regard by most citizens. There is evidence to support that earrings were a symbol of d’jarra, although this is not conclusive.
Religion and Spirituality
The Bajoran spirit is referred to as the pagh, which Bajorans believe is housed within the left ear. Bajoran spiritualists are known to be able to measure the strength of a pagh by gripping the ear with their hand. Bajorans are raised to follow the will of the Prophets, who promote selfless and altruistic actions. A feature of Bajoran religion is the characteristic earring, a set of two clasps connected by a chain, worn on the right ear.
Religious Heirarchy
The Kai is the head of the Bajoran faith, and is elected by democratic means whenever circumstances require. Vedeks serve as well-regarded spiritual leaders, and form a religious assembly that advises the Kai in important religious matters. Vedeks also have access to Orbs. Prylars and Ranjens are lower-ranked monks who often work in servitude of the Kai or of Vedeks, and also maintain the sacred libraries of the Bajoran spiritual texts. The Emissary of the Prophets, while technically not a part of this religious hierarchy, is held in extremely high reverence by the Bajoran populace, and arguably has almost the same power in the Bajoran faith as does the Kai.
| Religious Titles |
|---|
| Kai |
| Vedek |
| Prylar |
| Ranjen |
The Prophets
Residing within the Celestial Temple, known to outsiders as the Bajoran wormhole, the Prophets experience time as a non-linear event. They are able to possess humanoid life-forms, and have described themselves as being “of Bajor”. The Bajoran people do not view the Prophets as aliens, rather as gods that guide their way of life. One of the Prophets possessed and guided Sara, a human, into a relationship with Joseph Sisko, resulting in the conception of Benjamin Sisko, who later became the Emissary of the Prophets after discovering the Bajoran Wormhole.
The Emissary
On discovering the Bajoran Wormhole along with Lieutenant-Commander Jadzia Dax in the Denorios Belt in 2369, Captain Benjamin Sisko was declared the Emissary of the Prophets by the Bajoran people. Despite developing a strong positive relationship with Kai Opaka, the contemporary leader of the Bajoran faith, Sisko initially was unwilling to embrace his role of Emissary. It was not until his belief in his position was challenged by the Prophets themselves that he began to accept his role. However, he has always acted in the best interests of the Bajoran people. While Kai Opaka embraced Sisko in his role of Emissary, her successor, Kai Winn, often treated him with jealousy and mistrust. In turn, Sisko never fully trusted Kai Winn, who eventually denounced the Prophets and aided Gul Dukat in releasing the Pagh Wraiths of the Fire Caves.
Prophecies
Zocal’s 3rd Prophecy stated that only someone touched by the Prophets could find the ruins of B’halla. A prophecy subsequently translated from a tablet found in B’halla itself triggered the Reckoning, a cataclysmic battle between a Prophet and a Pagh wraith. It was written that, if the Prophet was victorious, Bajor would enter a golden age. The Reckoning never came to a conclusion however, as Kai Winn flooded the Promenade of Deep Space Nine, aboard which the conflict was taking place with chroniton radiation, which drove the Prophet and Pagh wraith out of their host bodies and forced them to abandon their duel.
Orbs
The Bajoran people revere artefacts that were sent to them by the Prophets, known as Orbs, or Tears of the Prophets. Many of these were lost or plundered by the Cardassians during the Occupation, however those that have been recovered are stored in shrines across Bajor, or in the Bajoran Shrine aboard Deep Space Nine. Those known to be in the possession of the Bajorans are detailed below.
| The Bajoran Orbs |
|---|
| Orb of Prophecy & Change |
| Orb of Time |
| Orb of Wisdom |
| Orb of Contemplation |
| Orb of the Emissary |
The Pagh Wraiths
The chronicled enemies of the Prophets, the Pagh Wraiths (Bajoran: Kosst Amogen), inhabit the fire caves of Bajor. The sacred texts explain that they once resided within the Celestial Temple, but were cast out by the Prophets due to their evil tendencies. A minority of Bajorans worship the Pagh Wraiths as the true prophets of Bajor, denoted by an inverted Bajoran religious icon or a red earring which is worn on the left ear. In 2375, the Pagh Wraiths selected Cardassian Gul Dukat, the former prefect of Bajor during the Cardassian occupation, as their Emissary. During a battle with the Emissary of the Prophets, Dukat and the Pagh Wraiths were sealed inside the fire caves along with the only known means of releasing them.
Religious Festivals
-Days of Atonement – a time to atone for past misdemeanours through chanting, meditation and prayer. -Gratitude Festival (aka Peldor Festival) – a time to give thanks to the Prophets. Renewal scrolls are burned and Bajorans celebrate for a period of three days. -Ha’mara – a day to celebrate the arrival of the Emissary of the Prophets. -Time of Cleansing – a period of one month where Bajorans fast and abstain from worldy pleasures.
Burial Customs
The Bajorans are less concerned with interring the remains of the deceased than they are with guiding their pagh into the afterlife. A Bajoran death chant can last up to two hours to allow for the recitation of the sacred text. In addition a duranja, or funerial candle, can be lit to act as a memorial for a loved one or friend.
Militia
The Bajoran military hierarchy runs as follows, from lowest ranked to highest:-
| Militia Ranks |
|---|
| General |
| Colonel |
| Field Colonel |
| Major |
| Captain |
| 1st Lieutenant |
| 2nd Lieutenant |
The militia operates in divisions, denoted by different coloured uniforms. Command-branch officers wear terracotta and red; security wear tan and brown; engineering and ops wear grey and either green or mauve, science wear purple and brown, and medical wear blue and copper.
| Command | Security | Engineering | Science | Medical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
File:BajoranScientist.jpg | 
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| Name | Name | Name | Name | Name |
Ships
Bajoran ships fall under three main specifications.
Assault Vessels
Assault vessels are well-armed craft designed for the defense of the planet. Members of the Circle used these craft to threaten Deep Space Nine in 2370.
Interceptors
Interceptors are smaller craft that are highly manoeuvrable and capable of atmospheric flight. Kira Nerys commanded a blockade made up of Bajoran Interceptors to prevent the Romulans from installing weapons in an alleged medical facility in the Bajoran system in 2375.
Freighters
Freighters are optimised for cargo transportation, although the government authorises off-world cargo ships to assist with commercial operations. Kassidy Yates and her ship Zosa were enlisted in the Bajoran Ministry of Transport.
Other
In addition, smaller sub-light vessels were widely used during the occupation, most often holding only 2 crewmen.