XENOLOGY: BAJORAN

Humanoid civilization from the planet Bajor. Bajoran culture flourished 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. Bajorans 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. SEE:First Republic. 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 members could hold. Under Bajoran custom, a person's family name is first, followed by the given name. Most Bajorans wear an ornamental earring, a symbol of their spiritual devotion. SEE:Ro Laren. Bajoran women carry their children for less than five months. Because they have a relatively short gestation period, they vascularize 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 child birth, relaxation of the mother is essential. Participants at the birthing ceremony play rhythmic instruments to help her reach a fully relaxed state. When the child arrives, all present verbally welcome the child into the world. Bajor was claimed as Cardassian territory from about 2328. The D'jarra caste system 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 government assumed authority for planetary government, led by the Bajoran Chamber of Ministers, which was headed by the Bajoran First Minister. Also highly influential in governmental affairs is the religious Vedek Assembly, led by the kai. Upon the departure of the Cardassians, the Bajoran provisional government 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 government with two industrial replicatorsto help them rebuild their economic base. 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 strength to survive the brutal Cardassian oppression. The Bajoran religion believes that ships are safely guided through the wormhole by the Prophets and that the Celestial Temple dwells within the passage. SEE: Orb. Some conservative Bajoran religious leaders, notably Winn, 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." Major Kira Nerys mentioned this to Commander Sisko regarding the dispute between the Bajoran factions, the Paqu and the Navot. Traditional Bajoran beliefs hold that the soul of the dead is far more important than the physical remains. (In an alternate quantum reality, the Bajorans overpowered the neighboring Cardassians, and became increasingly hostile towards the Federation as well. In this alternate reality, a Bajoran ship fired upon the Enterprise-D as it was investigating a quantum fissure the crew discovered in 2370. The energy discharge caused the fissure to destabilize and allow incursions from other quantum realities into that one.)