Editing Bajoran

The [[Bajoran]]s are a humanoid species native to the planet [[Bajor]] in the [[Alpha Quadrant]]. The Bajorans have one of the oldest and richest cultures in the quadrant, though in recent history they have suffered greatly at the hands of the [[Cardassian Union]]. With their liberation from the Cardassians and the discovery of the [[Bajoran Wormhole]], the Bajorans are taking a new place as major players on the interstellar stage.

Bajorans resemble [[Human]]s in appearance, and are distinguished by a series of four to seven creases across their noses. The Bajoran heart is mirrored along a horizontal axis, unlike the human heart, which is mirrored along a vertical axis. A puncture in the lower ventricle of the heart will cause instantaneous death. Bajoran women gestate for only five months, forming an intricate network of blood vessels between the mother and the fetus. During the pregnancy, Bajoran women are frequently afflicted by bouts of uncontrollable sneezing.

Following the Cardassian withdrawal from Bajor, the interim [[Bajoran Provisional Government]] was set up to administer the planet and its various colonies. Bajoran politics is balanced between the secular [[Chamber of Ministers]], led by the First Minister, and the religious [[Vedek Assembly]], led by the [[Kai]]. It is possible for one individual to be both the Kai and the first minister simultaneously, as Winn Adami almost was in 2371. In 2374, the Bajorans applied for membership in the [[Federation]], and were admitted in 2380. However, they have since seceded since the start of the [[Federation Civil War]].

The [[Bajoran Religion]] is a major unifying force on the planet; the spiritual leader, or [[Kai]], wields a great deal of moral and political authority, advising and influencing the planet's political leader, the First Minister. The Kai is chosen from a council of [[Vedek]]s, the title given to Bajoran religious leaders. Other religious titles are [[Ranjen]]s and [[Prylar]]s. The Bajoran religion is based upon the revelations of the [[Prophets]], who come to be known as the timeless beings residing in the [[Bajoran Wormhole]], or as it is called by the Bajorans, the [[Bajoran Wormhole|Celestial Temple]]. Since [[Starfleet]] officer Benjamin Sisko was the first to make contact with them, he is acclaimed by the Bajoran spiritual leadership as the [[Emissary]] of the Prophets. Part of the Bajoran religion involves the use of the [[Tears of the Prophets]], reality-distorting energy orbs produced by the Prophets. Several of these were stolen by the Cardassians during the Occupation, though most have been recovered.

Bajoran custom places the surname (or family name) before the given name (Similar to the Chinese naming customs of [[Earth]]). Therefore, [[Rank|Captain]] [[Remae Ktell]] would properly be addressed as Captain Remae, not Captain Ktell.