Bajorans are humanoid in form and function with the exception of a ridged nose. Slight deviations from Terran human physiology can be discerned through different reactions to body change. During pregnancy, Bajoran females do not nauseate, instead they react by sneezing. Bajoran fetuses are also irremovable due to the high degree of vascularization in the placental/uterine interface.



Society and Religion

Bajoran culture flourished for 500,000 years. In time, the Bajorans became a race of master artisans, architects, and scholars whose lives are centered around their faith. Their deeply religious culture honor the "Prophets" who guide the Bajorans. They believe in guidance from the prophecies revealed to ancient religious men much in the same way as the Greeks believed in Delphi Oracles. Within the religious texts of Bajoran faith, safe passage through the Bajoran wormhole is seen as the blessing of the Prophets who reside within in the Celestial Temple.

Prophets:
The Prophets are the central figures of the Bajoran faith, transcendent entities who exist in a non-linear time frame. Bajoran faith believes the Prophets to be the embodiment of truth, who reveals their wisdom through visions given by the Orbs. The Prophets are also the ones who replenish the life force of Bajorans, the "Pagh" that allows existence.

Orbs:
Approximately 10,000 years ago. The first Orb, with eight others to follow, appeared in the skies of Bajor. Taken as a gift from the Prophets to endow their followers with wisdom and insight, the Orbs were traditionally housed in sacred shrines at temples and monasteries around Bajor. Each Orb has a different function. After the Occupation, only one from the original nine Orbs remained. Through the years, three have been recovered and are currently in the hands of the Bajoran people.

The four Orbs are:
The Ninth Orb Green energy form. It places the user into a vivid distant memory.

The Third Orb Blue energy form. It is also known as the Orb of Prophesy and Change. It presents the user with a surrealist projection of the future, open to interpretation but usually correct in some way.

The Orb of Wisdom Pink energy form. Grand Nagus Zek was responsible for the restoration of this Orb to Bajorans in 2371. It forces overseen knowledge into the user's attention.

The Orb of Time Purple energy form. It can transfer users back or forwards in time.

Emissary:
The title given to the person who would discover the Celestial Temple and speak with the Prophets, then unify the Bajoran people. Commander Benjamin Sisko was announced as the Emissary by Kai Opaka when he had just arrived at the Station. Akorem Laan briefly succeeded Sisko as the Emissary in 2372 when he was transported two centuries from his lifetime into the 24nd century by the Prophets. After reinstating the unpopular D'jarra caste system, Sisko challenged Akorem, and was ultimately vindicated by the Prophets themselves. Captain Sisko is now firmly established as the Emissary of Bajor. The one upon whom the hopes of a whole world fall upon.

D'jarra Caste:
Ancient Bajorans lived their lives according to the d'jarra caste system. A Bajoran's social status and vocation was dictated by the d'jarra at birth and usually indicated in part within the design of the earring. Passed on for generations, the system was abandoned during the Occupation, when every Bajoran became subservient of the Cardassian Guls.

Earring:
The identity of Bajorans is intrinsically connected to their earring. The designs is often deeply connected to family lineage and the archaic d'jarra, but some religious figures and Militia officers are known to change their earrings to better adapt to their line of work. The earring is most often worn on the right ear, and is usually diamide-laced birithium in substance.

Name:
Bajoran custom places the family name before an individual name. Major Kira Nerys is therefor correctly addressed as Major Kira while her actual name is Nerys. The titles of Bajoran rank also are tied to their religious rank. The Kai is the spiritual leader of Bajoran faithful, and a new Kai is named only when the preceding Kai dies or is incapacitated. The Vedek assembly of 112 influential spiritual leaders is lower than the Kai and acts as assistant and preacher to the masses. The political leadership of Bajor is given to the First Minister, who can be any Bajoran national chosen by democratic election. The current Provisional Government has been in place since the withdrawal of Cardassian forces.

Planetary Information can be found here and here.

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Information about the Bajoran Wormhole can be found here.