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Geography
The Bajoran System
The system is made up of fourteen planets revolving around a central star Bajor-B'hava'el. There are eight M-Class worlds, three gas giants, and three ice/rock worlds. the system has occasional appearances by both within the inner system, visible from Bajor, the fifth planet of the system. the system is home to a few outposts and monitoring stations that have been established on some of the uninhabited planets and moons by the resistance during the occupation. These stations, often hidden & frequently automated still function in many cases & and have been supplemented with subspace devices, emergency beacons, & starfleet equipment, in some cases. the Cardassians had set up deuterium-fueling operations around the gas giants, but were removed.
Bajor itself continues with its rebuilding efforts following the end of
the occupation. The temporary retreat by Starfleet had limited impact on
the rebuilding, particularly in the areas of distribution of materials.
the primary effect was on the station , since the focus on the Cardassian/Dominion
offensive was DS9. Currently, replicator and agricultural technology
continues to flow into Bajor from Federation centers,
The Planet bajor
Kendra Valley
Population: 17,525,000,000.
Birth Rate: 14 Births/1,000 Population (2372)
Death Rate: 12 Deaths/1,000 Population (2372)
Life Expectancy at Birth: 128 years male, 130 years female
Total Fertility Rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2372)
Species Divisions: Bajoran 89% Non-Bajoran Humanoid 8% Other 2%
Religion: Bajoran 94% other 2% none 4%
Language: Predominately Bajoran, sizable minorities speaking Federation
Standard English, smaller minorities speaking Cardassi, and Ferengi. Universal
Translators virtually eliminate most language barriers.
Labor Force: Approximately 7,360,500,000
Natural Resources: silicon, iron, carbon, nickel.
Planetary Use: Agricultural 12% Inhabited 11% Industrial 21% Unused/Unuseable
56%
Bajor is renown for it's beauty & natural resources. The planet is abundant in minerals & vegetation. It was these assets that originally drew the Cardassians. With their planet's resources depleted, the Cardassian spent more than half a century pillaging the Bajoran planet & her people.
now after all that time, Bajor is healing from the devastation wrought during the occupation. Vast efforts have been made with soil reclaimators, industrial replicators & much work on the part of a very determined populace & Federation aid.
places of note
physiology
Bajoran physiology is similar to Terran, with a few noteable exceptions. The distinguishing feature on Bajorans is a set of nasal ridges. The internal systems differ dramatically only in gestation. A pregnant Bajoran woman has sneezing fits rather than morning sickness. Also, after some time the mother & child become inseperable due to a vast interconnected vascular system. Bajorans have a slightly shorter gestation perion than their Terran counterparts.
Customs
& Occasions
Bantaca Spire - Stone pillar located at the centre of all ancient Bajoran
cities. Around 11m high and made of hundreds of closely interlocked stones
it marks the city's location in the cosmos. The Emissary determined that
this is done by
reference
to certain stars at a particular time of night.
Betrothal Bracelet - Traditional jewelry given by a man to his betrothed.
The item can be passed on through generations, some bracelets from the
ancient families are now priceless artifacts.
Burial Ritual - Bajoran belief is that the dead body is but a shell
now that the pagh has left so do not have elaborate burial customs like
many races,
Childbirth - Traditional Bajoran childbirth requires the mother to
achieve a completely relaxed state through breathing
exercises, ritual
music and incense. This usually takes about an hour and any men in attendance
wear knotted neck scarves. The child is born into the world with the following
greeting :
"Awake child, we await you with love and welcome you into the world."
Clapping - Bajorans are distinguished from many other species in
that they show appreciation by clapping with the palm of one hand against
the back of the other,
Days of Atonement - Modern Bajoran holiday where the people remember
the Occupation and atone for the actions they did during that dark period.
Death Chant - This ritual chant is repeated continuously for over
two hours long. [The Next Phase] The words written phonetically are
given below.
"Ah kay ah, Ah yah va su, Ko van ha."
D'jarras - Ancient caste system used on Bajor. Everyone was born
into a caste or d'jarra dependent on their family line. Their d'jarra dictated
their profession for life. The d'jarras had a ranking order and people
had to pay respect to people
with a higher
ranking d'jarra, for example the Tenari d'jarra is lesser than the Ih'valla,
or artist, d'jarra. Breaking your d'jarra to pursue another role
was punishable by law resulting in exile or even death. The lowest d'jarra
is the unclean, who are responsible for preparing the dead for burial.
Akorem Laan tried to restore the d'jarra system during his brief role as
Emissary in 2372. This caused many problems amongst the Bajoran populace
and would have also precluded Federation membership, as caste-based discrimination
goes against the Federation charter.
Duranja - Ceremonial lamp used to mourn a recent death. Consists
of a candle suspended from four arms by lengths of chain.
Earrings - Traditional jewelry worn by most Bajorans. The
intricacy of the design is linked to the religious and social status
of the wearer. The 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. military figures tending to have the simplest designs.
Some scientists have taken to abandon this custom and not wear one
in a break from traditions, they have developed doubts in the Pagh belief
even though its predictions are very accurate most of the time. through
the ear. The 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. [The Alternate] Many are made from diamide-laced birithium.
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.
Eating Ritual - Many Bajorans say a small prayer before each meal.
The eyes are closed and hands held up palms
facing
out while the person recites a silent prayer of thankfulness.
flag -The Bajoran flag is mostly used during holidays, celebrations
or simply by the Bajoran people to decorate the homes. It is the known
Bajoran sign plus a circular inscription on it:
"May the Prophets guide Bajor towards peace, freedom, unity and happiness."
Gratitude Festival - Bajoran religious holiday. One of the biggest
events in the Bajoran year. Involves the ceremonial burning
of renewal scrolls inscribed with personal problems. Ceremony on DS9 presided
over by Major
Kira Nerys in
2371. The traditional greeting of the festival is "Peldar Joi" and the
Presider's speech is given below. They are written phonetically and
should be spoken in turn as the sacred flame is lit, this is usually done
using a mixture of chemicals. The Presider also has the honour of placing
the first scroll in the fire.
"Tesra Peldar Impadre Bren. Bentel Veytan Olan Sten."
"As the scrolls burn, may our troubles turn to ashes with them."
ha'mara - Bajoran religious holiday to celebrate the arrival of
the Emissary. A day of fasting following a festival of lights the night
before.
Itanu Ceremony - Coming of age ceremony performed on Bajoran children
when they reach fourteen.
Pledge Bracelet - Similar to a Betrothal Bracelet, but not as binding.
Given to lovers and very close friends.
Peldor Festival - Ancient Bajoran religious festival. On the eve of
the festival the temple chimes are sounded and the smell of burning bateret
leaves and incense fills the air.
Naming Rules - The Bajorans are fairly unique amongst the known
major races in that they 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. Bajoran
names themselves are usually short and have a soft sound, characteristic
of the Bajoran language in general. There are not many apostrophes or double
barreled names amongst true born Bajorans. When married the mans family
name changes to the woman's, this is the opposite of Terran as Bajor is
traditionally a Matriarchal society. Many men nowadays retain their
name when in senior positions and especially if dealing regularly with
foreign organizations.
Rite of Separation - Old Bajoran custom for the separation of a couple
to pursue new relationships. Unlike many other races it does not involve
any recriminations or accusations. The couple spend a few days together
celebrating the event leading to a small ceremony involving a clay bowl
of wine, a witness and the following dialogue.
Female : "Our paths have grown apart." ( drinks )
Male : "What was one is now two." ( drinks )
Female : "The time for sharing is over." ( smashes bowl ) "May the
Prophets guide you towards the path of happiness."
Male : "And may they walk with you always." ( couple face each
other then turn heads to the side )
Story of the Dal'Rok - Tale told by Sirah of Bajoran village to focus
villagers and drive away Dal'Rok energy being. The traditional version
is given below.
"The Dal'Rok wakes, but we are ready. In the shadow of the
night he hungers,
with the hatred of the ancients he rages, from the twisted pit of
chaos he
approaches. The Dal'Rok's anger is like a wave crashing down
upon the village.
The weight of its fury threatens to crush us all. The Dal'Rok thinks
the village
is powerless to defend itself, but it is mistaken. The village is
strong, much stronger
than the Dal'Rok can ever imagine. With our strength, our unity, we shall
drive the
Dal'Rok away. The village shall not be destroyed. Despite our
fears we shall stand
our ground and face the Dal'Rok. The village is strong, more powerful
than the
Dal'Rok, together we will use that power to drive it away. The Dal'Rok
is defeated,
the village is safe."
Time of Cleansing - Month long ritual when all faithful Bajorans abstain
from the pleasures of life.
Victory Prayer - Said by the Kai and a number of followers to the
vessel of the Prophets at the time of the Reckoning.
Kai : "Teradak embra ensahelm ran embra."
All : "Daran tareen."
Wedding Ceremony - Bajorans prefer a simple ceremony, where the bride
and groom take turns drinking from a bowl while the priest says the following
blessings.
"Bore ah pre arrow key. Toll ah ta en para boresh. Pre ah
( groom ), pre ah ( bride ). Abrem. Varo ay tem."
links
http://www.shakaar.demon.co.uk/
- The Shakaar Society
