Bolians

This article is about Bolian people and the planet Bolarus IX. To see a list of Bolian characters, go to the Bolians Category.

= Physiology =
 * Bolians have two stomachs.
 * Some Bolians have eyebrows. Many shave them off.
 * A common fear response in Bolians is slowed breathing. Extreme fear can cause a torpor-like lack of consciousness.
 * Bolian digestive systems and metabolism are more robust than most Federation peoples', and can handle substances that would be toxic or even deadly to other species. This also affects how they metabolize medicines and other drugs, sometimes requiring significantly higher doses to achieve the same affects.
 * Bolian children have some black hair on their heads.

= History = In 2322 a supernova anticipated for a 1000 years was celebrated aboard the Shim-Den Bolian space station with a huge multi-cultural festival known commonly as the Supernova Festival. People from all over the quadrant from scores of planets came.

= Culture = Bolian culture is centered on family, hospitality, and collectivism. The primary focus of a Bolian's life is oriented towards the prosperity of their community and their identity is closely intertwined with their family clan. Bolians are generally seen by other species as remarkably jovial and cooperative.

It is somewhat uncommon for Bolians to join Starfleet due to difficulty maintaining family ties, but it is considered by most Bolians to be a noble endeavor, a commitment to a larger galactic clan.

Bolar Tanteba
A very similar concept of the Earth ancient Greek's 'xenia', a sacred guest-host relationship. It is a foundation of all Bolian cultures in some degree, and the basis for the entire species reputation of hospitality.

Related: Bolian cultural norms require everyone to accept food when offered and provide food when requested.

Related: A gharesh is a type of mythical hungry spirit who comes to haunt a community if Bolar tanteba is broken. It can only be sent on its way if it's fed enough. Otherwise it causes mischief and bad luck.

Bolar Tanulpa
The idea that the strength of the individual is intrinsic to the strength of the clan. Under this ideal, an individual does not succeed or fail on their own effort, but rather by the influence both direct and indirect of the clan.

Rhutatanni
When one violates values and norms dictating different kinds of sacred relationships, one has bad rhutatanni. When one is in good standing in all of their relationships, one has good rhutatanni. In both the philosophical and practical sense, the better rhutatanni one has, the better life their family will have.

Clans
Bolian society is defined by large family groups mostly aptly described as clans. There are thousands of clans and each clan has thousands of members who are not always biologically related but considered family. Clans function both as tribe and political units. Because individual family units within a clan are large, the need for many granular names for family members is less pronounced. Everyone's a cousin whether or not they're blood related. It is common for children to be raised by extended family groups rather than just their parents. Perhaps in contrast to this structure, it's important for a Bolian to know their lineage and all the branching family lines.

Justice
The Bolian justice system is based on communal responsibility. A common way to amend anti-social behavior is for the clan of the offender to support the offender in offering restitution to the wronged, through grand and frequent acts of hospitality and service. The types of favors and the duration of this condition vary.

A particular ceremony includes the offender's clan serving a large meal to the family of the wronged party, with particular moments for one mother to offer a cup to the other mother. It all hinges on the wronged accepting the apology and restitution. 

Incarceration and corporal punishment are not part of Bolian culture, typically.

Language

 * basha bo Moz yarish: A way to swear to the truth or promise on the reputation of one's extended family clan. In this example 'Moz' is the clan's name.
 * fredrik : Obscenity.
 * kantennelli tekush: Old Bolian meaning "dying stars are lucky"
 * kopsi: 'cheers' or 'salud'. Shortened from Old Bolian for 'chin up'
 * mell: A canine-like companion animal native to Bolarus IX
 * ochi: Old man, sometimes affectionate but can be derogatory.
 * macha: Respectful term for non-related woman.
 * tomitopi: prize chicken
 * bizzi: Eating alone is for bizzies.

Sayings

 * "Even beetles have families."
 * "Hospitality can be measured by its 'ins' as well as 'outs'."

Greetings and Farewells
The most common Bolian language has a complex systems of greeting and farewells, dependent on whether the speaker or object are the one arriving or departing, and the number of people in either category, and the duration of how long the arriver or departure will be staying or be away, and if the social situation calls for formal or informal modes. This results in a couple dozen possible ways to say hello and good-bye.

Gestures

 * Ear-flicking: Flicking one's own ear is an offensive gesture, akin to some human cultures' middle finger.

Food

 * chinchin: Bolian dumplings, filled with sweet or savory bean paste. The word means 'little eggs'.

Traditions
There is a widely-celebrated winter solstice tradition centered on the messenger of the god of fate and surprises who delivers gifts to children. There are songs.

Reproduction
Bolians always return to Bolarus IX to give birth. Babies are cared for by the whole family.

= References =