Cygnans
While remarkably similar to Humans in general body strucure, Cygnans
as a race share a pale, milky-white skin coloring without the color
variations seen in humans, resembling albinos save that their eyes are
jet black, with no discernable whites or pupils. The Cygnan sun
(known as ``Shresha'') is an old one, with a lower [...]
Cygnus is the name given to the inhabitants of the planet by the
Federation - their name for their land is Seranaya, for themselves
simply A'Trana which translates as ``The People''.
Society
Today, Cygnan families echo those of humans, with the parents taking
an equal role in the rearing of the children. Families revolve around
a ``Y'Ghara'', or homestead, where several generations will live
together under the same roof. Arranged marriages between members of
distant Y'Gharas are common. A young couple is supported by others in
the Y'Ghara until the children are old enough to attend the State
School, at which time both the parents return to work.
Religion
The Cygnan world has only one major continent, and therefore does not
see the multitude of religious beliefs present in both the Human and
Andorian belief patterns. Several religions are seen to have combined
over the centuries, yielding their one present day faith: that of the
god Y'Ghan. (This also translates in their tongue to the concept of
Father and is seen more as a protective overseer than a participant in
their day-to-day lives.) This is a very personal religion, and the
Cygnan crew members will not be seen as particularly outspoken about
their religion even if they are very devout.
Politics
The Seranaya Gathering is responsible for the laws which govern the
one continent on Cygnus. Each City State has its own local government
which in turn elects an Elder to join the Seranaya Gathering.
The Cygnans are extremely adept at all forms of technological
endeavors, considering them to be forms of art. There are numerous
systems and components now in standard use throughout the Federation
which are the direct result of shared Cygnan research and
technology.
It is said that one in every hundred thousand births yields a Chosen
artist, an individual who can create the most amazingly beautiful
artwork in the Universe. Tapestries and paintings, sculpture and
lightscenes, all are immediately distinctive and show their Cygnan
authenticity by the way in which they seem diaphanous when viewed from
certain angles. Perhaps the most famous of these are the Presilliach
Tapestries, reknowned for their beauty and prized by the richest
families in the Federation. An example hangs in the sumptuous offices
of Tumball Massi, Federation archivist.
Prehistory
The Cygnans hold a firm belief that they are the descendants of an
extremely advanced, space-faring race. THeir religions are centered
around the numerous half-remembered myths and legends about the lost
Sky Fathers and their gifts and teachings. The gifts are remembered
as ones of science and technology; the teachings are remembered as
ones enjoining them to explore and share those gifts. The Sky Fathers
are thought to have moved on from the Cygnan homeworld millenia ago,
but the collective racial memory of their brief presence has left the
Cygnan race profoundly inclined toward the advancement of technology
and the need to roam the stars and share their knowledge with others.
Just as the Sky Fathers came from the stars with fire and steel to
light the Cygnan's way to a more advanced society, so too do the
Cygnans feel the urge to enlighten the less advanced peoples that they
might encounter through space. As a result, the Seranaya are the
Federation's most vocally opposed members on the subject of
Non-Interference and the Prime Directive. More than one illicit
Seranaya ``Mission'' has been established on pre-starflight worlds by
Cygnan adherents to The Way of the Fathers.
Modern History
John H. Kim <jhkim-at-darkshire-dot-net>
Last modified: Thu Sep 28 18:21:46 1995