Iridonia
According to recent research:
Iridonia is ill-suited to support humanoid life, with most of the farm-able land located in canyons through which strong winds race, sometimes reaching over 200 kilometers per hour. Seas of acidic liquid swirl up into acid spouts that soar hundreds of kilometers before splashing down onto highland villages and fields perched atop the sea cliffs. Worse, gigantic predators occasionally emerge from the depths of the acid seas to swallow ships whole or destroy settlements.
The harshness of their world forged in the Zabrak an iron will to survive. Driven to escape their world they saw the glittering lights in the night sky as an escape. Their civilization was eventually completely dominated by the urge to first scale the highest peaks, then to fly, then to obtain space flight.
The Zabrak colonies were settled by the most independent of the strong-willed people, so each of them considered itself a sovereign system. However, each colony, and the Zabrak itself, saw the value of Republic membership from the start. For millennia, the Zabrak-settled worlds marked a
galactic frontier.
No one knows how Zabrak came to be on Iridonia. There are myths of the gods bringing the Zabrak to Iridonia, implying that we actually began somewhere else. We have a very warlike history, and for many generations clan wars raged until we realized that we needed to have peace in order to survive on our planet.
Iridonia is very inhospitable, and as soon as our people discovered spaceflight, there were many waves of explorers who left. The descendants of
these explorers make up the majority of Zabrak alive today. Several colonies were formed first on the planets near Iridonia, then eventually spreading out to the edges of the galaxy. There are also numerous Zabrak space stations. These grew in size, and most Zabrak identify themselves
with the colony or station their people are from, rather than having any ties to Iridonia. Each colony at first considered itself a sovereign state, however when the Republic was formed the Zabrak colonies were among the first to send delegates to the new Senate.
There are a large number of Zabrak who are descendants of those who made their way to the Outer Rim or other planetary systems. The largest colonies of this type were on Talus and Corellia. Most of these Zabrak that I have met have only the simplest knowledge of traditional Iridonian customs, such as the facial tattoo. There are some with no knowledge of clan, or who have clan surnames that were passed along by parents
or obtained through marriage.
With the coming of the Empire, garrisons were placed on all Zabrak-settled worlds. These were greeted in a variety of ways, from sullen acceptance to active armed rebellion. The Empire reacted by placing heavy taxes on Zabrak worlds and trade routes, crushing revolts, and generally making an example of Zabrak populations.
Iridonia is ill-suited to support humanoid life, with most of the farm-able land located in canyons through which strong winds race, sometimes reaching over 200 kilometers per hour. Seas of acidic liquid swirl up into acid spouts that soar hundreds of kilometers before splashing down onto highland villages and fields perched atop the sea cliffs. Worse, gigantic predators occasionally emerge from the depths of the acid seas to swallow ships whole or destroy settlements.
The harshness of their world forged in the Zabrak an iron will to survive. Driven to escape their world they saw the glittering lights in the night sky as an escape. Their civilization was eventually completely dominated by the urge to first scale the highest peaks, then to fly, then to obtain space flight.
The Zabrak colonies were settled by the most independent of the strong-willed people, so each of them considered itself a sovereign system. However, each colony, and the Zabrak itself, saw the value of Republic membership from the start. For millennia, the Zabrak-settled worlds marked a
galactic frontier.
No one knows how Zabrak came to be on Iridonia. There are myths of the gods bringing the Zabrak to Iridonia, implying that we actually began somewhere else. We have a very warlike history, and for many generations clan wars raged until we realized that we needed to have peace in order to survive on our planet.
Iridonia is very inhospitable, and as soon as our people discovered spaceflight, there were many waves of explorers who left. The descendants of
these explorers make up the majority of Zabrak alive today. Several colonies were formed first on the planets near Iridonia, then eventually spreading out to the edges of the galaxy. There are also numerous Zabrak space stations. These grew in size, and most Zabrak identify themselves
with the colony or station their people are from, rather than having any ties to Iridonia. Each colony at first considered itself a sovereign state, however when the Republic was formed the Zabrak colonies were among the first to send delegates to the new Senate.
There are a large number of Zabrak who are descendants of those who made their way to the Outer Rim or other planetary systems. The largest colonies of this type were on Talus and Corellia. Most of these Zabrak that I have met have only the simplest knowledge of traditional Iridonian customs, such as the facial tattoo. There are some with no knowledge of clan, or who have clan surnames that were passed along by parents
or obtained through marriage.
With the coming of the Empire, garrisons were placed on all Zabrak-settled worlds. These were greeted in a variety of ways, from sullen acceptance to active armed rebellion. The Empire reacted by placing heavy taxes on Zabrak worlds and trade routes, crushing revolts, and generally making an example of Zabrak populations.
Traditions
Greetings, I am Professor E'th Keldar, dedicated historian of our people, and this is a not so brief history surrounding Zabrak tradition and culture: The Zabrak, also known as Iridonians, are a humanoid species native to the inhospitable world of Iridonia in the Mid Rim - a world of dangerous stalking predators, deep canyons, fierce winds, and acidic seas. Zabrak resemble humans, though their heads are crowned with varying patterns of vestigial horns. For both males and females, horns begin to grow at puberty, and signal the time that their rite of passage is near. Like humans, Zabrak have different skin colors, but these hues are a result of genetic dominance. The variety of colors include a peachy white, tan, brown, and black, with many tonal standings. Zabrak can also grow hair or be completely bald, depending on subspecies. Horn patterns are often linked with hair growth (or lack thereof). Hair colors are similar to those of humans, although Zabrak do not have eyelashes, eyebrows, or any other facial hair. Zabrak eye colors are also analogous to human, though yellow, purple, red, and orange are also seen on occasion.
Zabrak wear facial tattoos made up of thin lines that they receive during their rite of passage. These tattoos can be symbolic of many things, such as family lineage or where they came from, or a personal design of their own.
Zabrak are a self-assured people, confident that they can attain any goal they set out to achieve. To some they seem single-minded, being usually focused on one given idea, concept, or task at a time--with the conviction to accomplish their goal successfully. While with others such confidence might lead to proud superiority, it isn't within a Zabrak's nature to denigrate other species. All Zabrak demonstrate great pride in their home colony, and while there is some competition among these colonies, verbal abuse or fighting are not common occurrences without extreme provocation. On the contrary, most Zabrak are proud of their species.
The Diaspora, believing that their varied colonies and experiences add to their species' overall value to the galaxy as a whole. The motivation to make a contribution to the greater good is a driving force for many Zabrak.
Zabrak wear facial tattoos made up of thin lines that they receive during their rite of passage. These tattoos can be symbolic of many things, such as family lineage or where they came from, or a personal design of their own.
Zabrak are a self-assured people, confident that they can attain any goal they set out to achieve. To some they seem single-minded, being usually focused on one given idea, concept, or task at a time--with the conviction to accomplish their goal successfully. While with others such confidence might lead to proud superiority, it isn't within a Zabrak's nature to denigrate other species. All Zabrak demonstrate great pride in their home colony, and while there is some competition among these colonies, verbal abuse or fighting are not common occurrences without extreme provocation. On the contrary, most Zabrak are proud of their species.
The Diaspora, believing that their varied colonies and experiences add to their species' overall value to the galaxy as a whole. The motivation to make a contribution to the greater good is a driving force for many Zabrak.
Iridonian Weaponry and Military Traditions
I am Pu, Commodore (Semi-Retired). I am here today to speak on the aforementioned header topic of Weaponry and Military traditions. Now listen up!
The Iridonian double-bladed quarterstaff, known in the Zabrak language as the Zhaboka, was first developed before the Mandalorian Wars from the scavenging of wooden sticks and metal scraps of shipwrecks. Over the centuries, the Zhaboka evolved into a well-balanced, two-meter-long staff that was tipped at each end with a tempered durasteel blade, allowing it to deal slashing or piercing wounds. The central half-meter of the staff was wrapped in leather to provide better grip. Its original use was for killing the predators found on Iridonia, although many modern Zhaboka were ceremonial weapons. The entire weapon could be unlocked at the grip and stored in a scabbard for easier transport. The use of the Zhaboka--The Zhaboka is a 2 meter long ceremonial pike with double-edged blades on either end. It used to be used in warfare, but now is seen at most special occasions such as weddings, funerals, diplomatic meetings, etc, and the Rising Festival.
Iridonian traditions:
Since there are many different races and peoples on Iridonia, there is no one set of traditions that Iridonians follow. However, there are a few traditions that most Iridonian Zabrak have in common:
The Rising Festival -- the yearly festival ending with the ritual tattooing of children entering the clan as adults after passing their Selenoren. During the Rising Festival there is food, entertainment, debates, contests, and hunts using the Zhaboka.
The Law of Hospitality -- any stranger who comes to your home and who you offer hospitality to becomes your responsibility while he or she is under your roof. You must protect the visitor by any means necessary, including giving
one's life. The offering of hospitality is marked by the host offering a gift to the visitor, and by the visitor's acceptance of the gift. Once the visitor leaves the home there is no further requirement of protection.