Bajoran - Culture and Traditions

Culture and Traditions

Bajoran tradition places the family name before the given name; thus, 'Kira Nerys' is properly addressed as 'Major Kira', not 'Major Nerys'. During the series, emphasis was placed on the Bajoran's spiritual life, centering around the Orbs—objects of an alien origin believed to have been sent by the Prophets (Bajor's gods), each of which possess a unique ability (such as the 'Orb of Time', which allows those viewing it to revisit past events).

The Bajoran people were originally divided into castes, called d'jaras, that dictated a person's place in Bajoran society; members of a lower-ranking d'jara were expected to defer to those of a higher caste. When the Occupation began, the d'jara system was abolished and most of the planet's population became slave laborers.

Bajorans wear large, chained earrings and ear cuffs called d'ja pagh on their right ears, as symbols of their religious faith. Before the war against Cardassian occupation, the earring also symbolized one's d'jara.