Bajorans

Bajorans are a 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.  Bajor was claimed as Cardassian territiry from about 2328.  The Cardassian formally annexed Bajor in 2339, and occupied the planet until 2369, when Bajoran resistance fighters finally drove them away.  Upon the departure of the Cardassians, the Bajoran provisional government requested Federation assistance in operating the former Cardassian space station, now designated Deep Space 9.  Under Bajoran custom, a person's family name is first, followed by a given name.  Most Bajorans wear an ornamental earring on their right ear.

A deeply religious people, the Bajorans look to their spiritual leader, the Kai, for leadership and guidance.  The Bajoran religion believes that ships are safely guided through the wormhole by the Prophets and that the Celestial Temple dwells within the passage.  Some conservative Bajoran religious leaders, notable Vedek Winn, tried to suppress scientific theories of the wormhole's creation, believing tha tthe teaching of science lessened the religious leaders' political power.  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.  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.