Bajoran/Religion
- See also: The Pah-wraiths
Residing within the Celestial Temple (the Bajoran wormhole), 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 a human into a relationship to result in the conception of Benjamin Sisko, who later became the Emissary of the Prophets after discovering the Bajoran wormhole.
Religious Hierarchy
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 Emissary
On discovering the Bajoran Wormhole in the MA: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 was initially 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 Pah-wraiths.
Pagh
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.
Prophecies
Zocal’s 3rd Prophecy stated that only someone touched by the Prophets could find the ruins of B’hala. A prophecy subsequently translated from a tablet found in B’hala itself triggered the Reckoning, a cataclysmic battle between a Prophets and a Pah-wraith. It was written that, if the Prophets 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 Prophets and Pah-wraiths out of their host bodies and forced them to abandon their duel.
Orbs
The Bajoran people revere artifacts 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 |
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 worldly pleasures.