Editing Hirogen (section)

==Society and Culture==

Hirogen society centers around "the hunt", which they regard with a reverence that borders on spiritual awe. Elements of their culture, such as social rituals and beliefs, are based on the hunt. One of the rituals surrounding the hunt involves hunters applying paint to their faces and helmets for both the hunt and the kill. Even with no face paint available, the Hunter being forced to fight in the Tsunkatse matches still went through the ritual of running his finger over his face as if applying it. (VOY: "Hunters", "Tsunkatse") Hirogen culture requires a hunter to study his prey to understand its abilities, believing that such study is essential to prevent a hunter from becoming the hunted. Choosing the most appropriate weapon to make the kill is considered important: a scythe-like knife seems to be the preferred method for close range. There is great importance placed upon the moment of the kill and it is believed that the way a creature behaves when it is wounded is the key to its destruction. (VOY: "Prey") They express disappointment when the species they choose to hunt proves to be unchallenging. (VOY: "Hunters") The Hirogen rarely see other humanoids as equals because they rarely see non-Hirogen as hunters. As a result being called "worthy prey" by a Hirogen is meant as a great compliment. The Hirogen believe "you must never sympathize with your prey"; however, they do bestow a rather unique non-human compassion towards their prey, believing that they should never let their prey suffer. (VOY: "Tsunkatse")

Most Hirogen vessels travel alone, sometimes with a crew as small as just two. One such vessel was known to have spanned a radius of 1,000 light years in just five years; it had also visited as many as 90 star systems in a single year. (VOY: "Prey") Occasionally, however, Hirogen vessels are encountered in groups or packs. This is more common if they are hunting a challenging and resilient prey. The Hirogen social structure is organized into packs of male hunters, each led by a Hirogen known as the Alpha. (VOY: "The Killing Game, Part II") The second-in-command is the Beta – if the Alpha dies, the Beta becomes the Alpha. (VOY: "Flesh and Blood")


After the Hirogen catch their prey, they remove the skeletal system, muscles, internal organs, ligaments and tendons by a surgical procedure known as an osteotomy. These items are kept as relics of the hunt. Unusual relics bring envy from other Hirogen males, and Hirogen females desire a male who has such unusual relics. These items cannot be taken before the moment of the kill. Status is determined by possession of prizes from hunts, often body parts or technology obtained from their prey. These prizes, called "trophies" or "relics", are displayed in nets hanging from the ceilings or walls of their vessels. In the case of skulls, they are often mounted as a wall display. (VOY: "Hunters")