| Cardassian uniforms are characterized by thick leather
armor (infused with energy dissipating circuitry to protect against
energy weapons).
Cardassians value family and relations above all else, shunning
orphans while considering households with several generations living
together an honorable establishment. The education system implemented on
Cardassia dictates that intellectual pursuits begin at the young age of
3 or 4, with a full range of treatment in art, literature, and music
that is the pride of Cardassian society. Every Cardassian is raised with
an appreciation of fine arts and culture, though the government may not
have always been like-minded in its policies. Educational attainment is
regarded as a major source of social status and the source of creativity
in Cardassian society. The Cardassians are known for their photographic
memories and the ability to resist a Vulcan mind meld. They pride
themselves on resourcefulness and often say of themselves:
There is no dilemma that cannot be solved by a
disciplined Cardassian mind.
Men and women share equal status in Cardassia, and the openness of
education for both sexes have contributed to the marvelous scientific
and cultural achievements. In fact, Cardassian females consider
themselves superior at logical and scientific fields than males.
Acceptable social behavior dictates that men and women court with
outward irritability, and the deceased are honored with elaborate rites
that do not permit offworlders to view the body.
When the military dictatorship ended in a coup on Cardassia, the
civilian Detapa Council ruled the Cardassian Union before its entrance
into the Dominion. The Council legally administered to the Cardassian
Central Command and the Obsidian Order, Cardassia's secret intelligence
agency. However, the Central Command and the Obsidian Order functioned
autonomously and do not report to the Detapa Council. The Central
Command had the firmest grip on power in Cardassia. Cardassian society
has the most rigid of all legal systems. All suspects are guilty before
even appearing in court, an emphatic display of the futility of crime in
Cardassia.
History
Cardassians used to be spiritual pacifists. Their homeworld Cardassia
was in ancient times a legendary civilization whose ruins are considered
as some of the most remarkable in the galaxy. However, Cardassia was
poor in resources, and millions died in the famine before the military
takeover. The treasured relics of the past were plundered by starving
Cardassians and by the Cardassian military alike. The new leaders who
rose to power after the takeover discovered that taking forcefully what
they wanted was easier and more efficient than long-winded negotiations.
Soon, the military state conquered worlds and replenished their
resources by this new approach towards interstellar politics.
In the course of continuing military conquests, Cardassian military
forces descended upon Bajor. Promising help and support to the peaceful
Bajorans, the Cardassians instead annexed the peaceful planet in 2328
that began the 50 years of Cardassian Occupation. To stripmine the
wealth of Iridium nearby, Cardassia built a mining station, Terok Nor,
in Bajor's orbit for the purpose of ore mining and processing. They
established a presence upon the planet and instigated an occupational
government through the ruling Guls. Many Bajorans were forced to
resettle on other worlds and their religion was later banned. Those
among the Bajorans who were not content to rely on the assistance of the
Prophets to end the Occupation gathered to form resistance cells in the
mountains of Bajor. They utilized guerrilla tactics, running through
rough terrain, then shooting as the Cardassian soldiers caught up. The
relentless violence against the invading rulers would slowly change the
stance of the Central Command back on Cardassia Prime. |
