Ligonians
The Ligonians are the humanoid inhabitants of the planet Ligon II. Although they possess transporter technology, they are extremely antiquated in other ways and are not as technologically advanced as the Federation. They have a highly structured society and are an extremely proud race. They value their honor above all else, and as such live by strict codes of honor. They also value patience highly. Ligonians have always been apprehensive about strangers.
History of the Ligonian society has some similarities to that of Earth history.
Society
The necklace of the ruler of Ligon II.
In Ligonian society, the females own all the property and land. When a man marries a woman, he gains control of her wealth, and it passes to him when she dies. A man may take a number of wives, and similarly a woman a number of husbands. The favoured spouse is referred to as the "first one". If a man wishes to take a new first one, the current first one has the right to challenge the newcomer in a fight to the death, although this is rare.
Many Ligonian males wear necklaces consiting of a golden strap and a red jewel. Lutan's necklace contained a hidden transporter device. When pressing the red jewel, he would be beamed away by a Ligonian transporter beam. He used the device to escape from the USS Enterprise-D with Tasha Yar as his hostage. The necklace also had a cermonial meaning. When Yareena, Lutan's first one, was killed (and later revived) in the fight between her and Tasha Yar, her mating agreement with Lutan had dissolved. She chose Hagon as her new mate instead and gave him the necklace, thereby stripping Lutan of all his powers and making Hagon the new ruler of Ligon II.
Ligonians applauding.
Ligonians tap together two carved ivory-like sticks to signal applause or approval.
- The Wadi have a similar practice, they use sticks called klon peags.
The standard Ligonian greeting consists of both parties raising their hands to reveal that they are not concealing a weapon. (TNG: "Code of Honor")
While Jean-Luc Picard was a cadet at Starfleet Academy, he once wrestled a Ligonian and caught him "with a reverse body lift and pinned him down in the first 14 seconds of the match", according to gardener Boothby, who was very much surprised by the feat at that time. Picard stated that it "was all in the legs, from all the running [he] used to do." (TNG: "The First Duty")
Technology
- See: Heglenian shift
People
- See: List of Ligonians