Ferengi

The **Ferengi** (Borg designation **Species 180**) were a greedy, warp-capable species of humanoids from the planet Ferenginar, whose civilization was built around free enterprise. The governing body, the Ferengi Alliance, was built up over ten thousand cycles -- following the establishment of currency. Unlike many other species, the Ferengi did not develop warp technology, they purchased it.

## Physiology

Ferengi, on average, were shorter than humans with orange-brown colored skin, blue-fingernails and no hair. They had wrinkled noses and sharp teeth. They had four-lobed brains contained within enlarged skulls. These brains could not be read or interpreted by telepathic abilities -- similar to the Dopoterians, who were a distant cousin species. Ferengi brains also made them unaffected by many illnesses, such as the aphasia virus. They were also resistant to many other diseases due to a very strong immune system -- however, both of these factors also made them incapable of using translator microbes. A healthy Ferengi could live for well over one hundred cycles.

Ferengi had ascending ribs, and four lungs -- an upper pair and a lower pair. They also had remarkably high blood pressure, compared to many other humanoid races. Ferengi blood contained cells known as pyrocytes.

A frightened or distressed Ferengi was likely to emit a high pitched scream, or to hiss almost like a cat.

The most notable feature of the Ferengi was, of course, their enormous ears. Males had bigger ears than females, which was one of the distinguishing factors between the genders. These ears -- which they most commonly call "lobes" -- were highly sensitive, both to pleasure and pain. The sexual practice of oo-mox was manual stimulation of the lobes. These ears were also prone to infections, particularly the tympanic membrane. Nevertheless, they provided the Ferengi with highly sensitive hearing, heightened enough to detect even atmospheric changes, and to detect someone's gender or species even through spatial or electronic distortions.

## Culture

Ferengi culture developed around the concept of greed and profit earning. Despite this, the Ferengi managed to avoid some of the worst hallmarks of other developing cultures -- such as slavery or genocide. Businessmen were the pillars of Ferengi culture, rather than the warriors or politicians of other cultures. These facts allowed the Ferengi to feel morally superior to other races -- despite the fact that women were slaves in all but name for the majority of Ferengi history.

Ferengi culture was governed by the Rules of Acquisition, advice which all good Ferengi followed in order to lead a profitable life. They also recognized the Five Stages of Acquisition. They recognized these traits in other species -- holding the history of Earth's Wall Street in near religious regard. The governing body of the Ferengi, the Ferengi Alliance, was led by the Grand Nagus.

The education of young Ferengi was done through work-study programs, rather than through formal schooling.

The drive for personal profit led to the creation of several inventions that became popular throughout the Milky Way. These include holosuites, synthehol, and Slug-o-Cola.

Not all Ferengi were full of the desire for personal wealth. Some had other motivators. For instance, some were motivated by the thrill found in killing. These Ferengi usually become Enforcers.

Ferengi traditionally ate the slugs and insects native to Ferenginar, though they had disdain for any insects from other planets. Some Ferengi also engaged in the "beetle snuff" habit. Ferengi were also quite interested in cosmetics, spending money on teeth sharpeners and cosmetic surgery to increase the size of their lobes.

### Role of Women

Ferengi culture had been highly misogynistic, with laws entrenching the patriarchal rule for most of their existence. Ferengi women, often referred to as little more than "females", were forbidden from engaging in many aspects of Ferengi society. Females were prevented from so much as wearing clothes and could not travel outside of their homes unescorted by a male. Any female who was caught earning profits was forced to return all their wealth gained and sign a confession admitting to having done wrong -- or face indentured servitude.

Under Ferengi law, marriages were a business deal between a father and the groom. The marriage would be a contract, specifying a length of time, during which the wife would be expected to bear a son. The agreed-upon fee would be paid upon the birth of that son. Ferengi law considered pregnancies to be rentals.

Females were expected to teach their children the Rules of Acquisition, and to soften the food for their sons by chewing it for them. This role as caregiver was strictly defined. It often led to Ferengi men being highly protective of their mothers -- a tradition which even entered the Rules of Acquistion as Rule 31: "Never make fun of a Ferengi's mother."

At the start of the 34th century, the Ferengi population was 53.5% female. Many Ferengi began to realize that allowing the females to participate in society would allow for even greater profits. Grand Nagus Zek began liberating women, though this was largely controversial. Under Rom, this movement continued.

### Rituals & Traditions

Ferengi culture had several rituals and ceremonies dictated by tradition. Ferengi males were introduced into society on their Naming Day -- one of the very few occasions when a Ferengi received free gifts. Later in a Ferengi's life, he would celebrate the Ferengi Attainment Ceremony -- marking when they are old enough to make decisions for themselves. At this ceremony, a Ferengi might auction off their belongings to gain capital for their first business venture.

A common Ferengi greeting -- similar in use the human custom of shaking hands -- was to place their wrists together, with hands apart and fingers curled. If this gesture was accompanied with a slight bow while leaving the face up, it signified submission or subservience. Open palms represented an obscene gesture to Ferengi. When striking a deal with another Ferengi, they touched the back of their hands against each other and then quickly slide their hands to the side.

Entering another Ferengi's home required a fee be paid of one slip of latinum. The owner of the home would say "My home is my home" and the visitor would respond by saying "As are its contents." Most Ferengi would have visitors sign a waiver, acknowledging the guest's responsibility should any of their host's belongings disappear.

Ferengi also had a legal tradition known as "plea bargaining", which allowed a Ferengi to acquire items of importance if they had been taken by another Ferengi through trade.

### Language

Most Ferengi pronounced the word "human" as "hew-mon".

The Ferengi language had 178 words for different kinds of rain, but no word meaning "crisp".

The written language of the Ferengi appeared to be be a complex flow chart based around a central hexagon -- though they also had a code based on patterns of light and dark called B'Zal.

## Notable Ferengi

* Nog
* Quark
* Rom

## Source

The Ferengi are derived from *Star Trek*. For canon information, please visit:

* Memory Alpha