Jaffa
From Stargate Wiki
| Jaffa | |
|---|---|
| |
| Societal information | |
| Species |
Jaffa |
| Distinctions |
Humanoid appearance, increased strength and vitality, stronger immune system, extended lifespan |
| Homeworld | |
| Language | |
| Form of government |
Free Jaffa Nation (present) System Lords (past) |
| Alliances | |
| Status |
Alive |
| Out of universe information | |
| First appearance | |
- "The Jaffa number in the millions spread across the vastness of the galaxy. Your backgrounds are diverse and rich in a history of warfare with each other."
- — Ba'al
The Jaffa are a race of genetically-modified humans created by the Goa'uld to incubate their symbiotes and serve as their armies.
Contents |
Overview
Physiology
Jaffa are almost identical to humans but with an abdominal pouch where the infant symbiote resides. Jaffa provide a perfect incubation area for young symbiotes giving the Jaffa excess strength, agility, perfect health - capable of resisting disease and even radiation - and longevity - reaching over 100 years of age. However the Jaffa require a symbiote and are unable to live for very long without one and receive a new symbiote every seven years or so as theirs matures. When a Jaffa reaches the age of "Prata" their body naturally loses its own immune system and require a symbiote in order to live. Jaffa do not require sleep but must perform Kelno'reem, a deep meditative state, in order to allow their symbiote to heal any injuries the Jaffa sustained. Jaffa are also able to mentally communicate with their symbiotes during Kelno'reem. Many Jaffa have begin taking Tretonin as opposed to retaining a symbiote which has proven to be more effective in extending the lives of the Jaffa, even though they must continue to take it. (SG1: "Children of the Gods", "Bloodlines", "Crystal Skull", "Birthright", "Crossroads", "Cure", "Unending")
Culture
The Jaffa have a feudal culture which centers around the belief that the Goa'uld were gods and maintained a religious aspect in all facets of their lives, even having a belief in an afterlife and a reverence for those who they believe to have achieved a higher level of existence such as ascended beings. They served as the armies of the Goa'uld, allowing themselves to be branded on their foreheads with the mark of their god. Their culture prizes honor and strength so much that they have appropriated the same word for weakness as the one for death. When a dispute that cannot be solved arises between a Jaffa couple, they can request a pledge break to the other, but if this fails then they usually take part in some type of battle, possibly to the death. (SG1: "Children of the Gods", "Maternal Instinct", "Babylon", "Orpheus", "Affinity")
Social Structure
Jaffa have a wide social structure. Many of them males served in armies of the System Lords, the highest rank was the First Prime who led the armies and carried out personal missions of their gods, following this was the personal guard of the System Lords who provided security for their god. Other male Jaffa served as priests and record keepers. The females are expected to be wives and mothers, but also receive training in order to protect their homes when the males are off fighting. (SG1: "Children of the Gods", "Threshold", "Bloodlines", "Family", "Birthright")
Technology
The Jaffa used much of the technology of the Goa'uld, particularly their weapons. Some technology such as the Goa'uld Healing device can be used by the Jaffa, but it is very uncommon. Jaffa are trained to pilot the death gliders, Al'kesh, cargo ships and the Ha'tak as well a repair some of its systems, however much of the information about Goa'uld technology is not known by the Jaffa, initially under the belief that the technology was "magic" and was forbidden by them to be known. After the fall of the Goa'uld, the Jaffa appropriated much of their technology. (SG1: "Children of the Gods", "Bloodlines", "Enemies", "The Enemy Within", "Avalon, Part 1")
History
Creation
The Goa'uld created the Jaffa many thousands of years ago on Dakara, implanting the first symbiote and bringing their armies into existence, as such Dakara became a holy site among the Jaffa. For thousands of years the Jaffa served as soldiers for the System Lords with unwavering loyalty and belief that that Goa'uld were gods. (SG1: "Reckoning, Part 1", "Babylon")
Defiance
About five thousand years ago, a group of Jaffa known as the Sodan killed their master, Ishkur, and freed themselves. Other Jaffa continued to serve their masters until 1997 when Teal'c, First Prime of Apophis defied his god, killed his fellow Jaffa and freed some Tau'ri. This led to other Jaffa to question their gods and eventually lead to groups of Jaffa to stop believing that the Goa'uld were gods and leave their service. A fifth column also developed inside the Jaffa armies who undermined the actions of the Goa'uld as well as large amounts of them leaving and joining with the Jaffa Rebellion. (SG1: "Babylon", "Children of the Gods", "Bloodlines", "The Serpent's Lair", "Birthright", "Reckoning, Part 2")
Freedom
When the Replicators started attacking the System Lords, the Jaffa rebellion took the opportunity to take Dakara and show all Jaffa that the Goa'uld were not gods. With most of the Jaffa having left the service of the Goa'uld, they started to build a capital for all Jaffa on Dakara and absorbed all of the technology, outposts and ships that that Goa'uld had. The Jaffa attempted to create a democratic government but interference from former System Lords and the invasion of the Ori forces, who destroyed Dakara, led to disarray among the Jaffa population. When the Ori were finally defeated, the Jaffa were able to rebuild. (SG1: "Reckoning, Part 1", "Reckoning, Part 2", "Threads", "Avalon, Part 1", "Counterstrike", "Talion")
Known Jaffa
- See: List of Jaffa
Alternate Realities
- In an alternate reality visited by Daniel Jackson, Teal'c, and possibly other Jaffa, did not rebel against the Goa'uld and took part in an invasion on Earth. (SG1: "There But for the Grace of God")
- In an alternate reality visited by SG-1, Teal'c did not rebel against the Goa'uld and took part in an invasion on Earth. (SG1: "Point of View")
Alternate Timelines
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- In an alternate timeline, the Goa'uld had been almost completely wiped out by the Aschen and so there were few symbiotes available for implantation, meaning that many Jaffa would die. (SG1: "2010")
- In an alternate timeline created by Ba'al, the Jaffa were still in service but they all served under Ba'al or one of his regents. (Stargate: Continuum)
