Gor - Dictionary

Revision as of 18:37, 28 June 2010

A glossary of some terms found in the Chronicles of Gor series of science fiction books written by John Norman, in alphabetical order (a number of them are used by real-world Gorean lifestylers to describe their practices, and a few have been taken up in general BDSM use):

Bina

Gorean-language term for "slave beads", i.e. cheap glass or painted wooden beads considered appropriate for slave adornment, generally worn around the neck.

Camisk

A common Gorean garment for female slaves (the simplest and cheapest garment which provides some degree of coverage at both top and bottom). In its basic form, it is a simple rectangle of cloth, about 18 inches wide and up to six feet long, with a hole in the centre. The kajira's head goes through the hole, and the cloth is worn as a sideless poncho, generally belted at the waist by a tied cord, and often falling a little above the knees in front and back (sometimes shorter). Making a camisk requires no tailoring or seaming skills (though the cut edges of the fabric are often stitched to prevent unraveling). A kajira in a camisk would generally wear nothing besides the camisk, her collar, the cord or strap wrapped once or twice around her waist and tied "snugly" above a hip to provide a belt, often also a string or ribbon to tie back her hair (since the hair of kajirae is often full and long, but elaborate hairstyles tend to be considered inappropriate for them), and possible restraints and adornments (though occasionally she might be allowed to wear low heel-less slippers). Undergarments are not worn, due to the prohibition against a "nether closure" (see the entry for Tunic below). A version of this was the main slave attire seen in the first release of a Japanese fan's efforts to illustrate Gor book #19 (an early, influential, use of Poser software for Gorean fan-art).

Dina

The "slave flower", an alternative symbol to the kef for a female slave.

Iron belt

Chastity belt for female.

Kajira

Word for female slave in the Gorean language (Latinesque plural is kajirae). A less commonly-used metaphorical synonym is Sa-Fora (which most literally means "daughter of the chain" in the Gorean language). Other synonyms used in certain contexts are "bondmaid", "property girl" etc. A woman who is enslaved loses all legal status (citizenship etc.) and cannot own anything (but is herself owned). Under Gorean law, a slave is the absolute property of her or his owner, and has no rights or protections. A slave of either sex (kajira or kajirus) must render perfect obedience to an owner of either sex (master or mistress) or suffer the consequences — but many on Gor believe that the situation of a male master owning a female slave is most in accord with the basic natures of the two sexes.

Kajirus

Word for male slave in the Gorean language (Latinesque plural is kajiri). There are far fewer kajiri than kajirae on Gor, since Gorean men can only rarely be effectively "tamed", so that most male slaves are considered inherently slightly dangerous, and have little value other than as unskilled heavy labor which must often be kept under armed guard. Men conquered in war who are not left free are more often killed than enslaved, while women in the same situation are almost always enslaved (since kajirae are a readily-negotiable commodity, among other reasons).

Kef

Letter of the fictional Gorean alphabet (slightly resembling a Latin-alphabet "k"), which is commonly used as a symbol for a slave (since it writes the first sound of the words Kajira/Kajirus). The kef symbol is the most common slave brand on the planet Gor (though other marks are sometimes used). In the case of a female slave, it is most commonly placed high on the side of the left thigh below the hip in a stylized cursive form, called the "staff and fronds" (a plain vertical line denoting authority, and to its right two upwards-curling quasi-floral curves which join together near the base of the vertical line to denote vulnerably open femininity in submission to authority, or "beauty under discipline"). Kajiri (male slaves) seem to be less often branded, but a simple block script form of the letter kef can be used to designate a male slave. Both the kajira and kajirus forms of the Kef can be used as artistic symbols (as well slave brands) on Gor, in which case they are often painted in red.

Kirtle

In the cool climate of Torvaldsland, the common kajira garments of more southern latitudes are not practical during much of the year, so that the main kajira garment there is the "kirtle", or long ankle-length white wool gown (of thin wool in summer, and presumably of thick wool in winter). However, it is sleeveless, has a plunging neckline ("slit to the belly"), and is worn without underwear, to clearly indicate that it is a slave garment. If this makes doing a task easier and is allowed by the weather (or if the master orders it), then the kirtle is often hitched up so that its hemline is some inches off the ground.

Ko-lar (Collar)

The collar is an important symbol of Gorean slavery; the brand (usually the Kef or Dina) symbolizes general slave status, while the collar proclaims ownership by a particular Master or Mistress. Many different types of collars can be worn in different circumstances or cultures, but the type most commonly worn by kajirae in the northern temperate zone city-states is a thin cylindrical metal locking collar (which usually fits closely enough to leave only the width of a finger or two in space between the inside of the collar and the neck), with the lock worn at the back of the neck. Collars worn by slaves under a long-term ownership and/or who go out in public generally have an emblem or inscription which identifies the slave's owner, and thus indicates whom the slave should be returned to if lost, stolen, or runaway. (By contrast, in a closed environment such as a slaver's establishment, a collar can sometimes be just a plain narrow bar of iron bent around the neck.) A collar is sometimes inscribed with the name of the slave who wears it, but this is not always feasible, since slaves have no permanent names, but are only given names for the convenience of their owners (who can change them or remove them at will). Occasionally a slave is named by her collar — that is, if a collar of the correct size happens to be available for a kajira to wear, and this collar has previously been inscribed with a name, then the kajira might be given that name simply to match the collar.

Kurt

Gorean-language term for a five-strap flogger ("five-stranded Gorean slave lash") or "slave whip", described as typically having an eighteen-inch long handle (suitable for either one- or two-handed use, and about an inch and a quarter to an inch and a half in diameter) from which hang five relatively soft and flexible flat lashes, each an inch-and-a-half wide and two-and-a-half to three feet long. It is intended to effectively discipline female slaves without real risk of injury or scarring. Gorean kajirae are fairly often required to kiss the whip, or to fetch the whip to the master (carrying it gripped in their teeth while crawling on their hands and knees across a room), in order to remind them of their status, and what the consequences can be if they fail in a kajira's duty of being "absolutely obedient" and "perfectly pleasing".

La kajira

A sentence meaning "I am a slave girl" in the Gorean language (the main lingua franca of the northern temperate zone city-states). In some cases, a free woman who utters this sentence becomes legally enslaved. This is one of the few Gorean-language sentences given in the books. The Gorean language appears to have sex-specific first person pronominal forms (the corresponding masculine being Lo).

Nadu

Gorean name for classic sexual submission kneeling position, with torso over heels and knees widely separated. (This position was described in the Story of O, though the name "Nadu" is Norman's, used by him only in Gor book 13 Explorers.) By default, the hands rest on the thighs. Also called "the position of the pleasure slave, that of a woman who is of interest to men". (See Gorean slave positions for a more detailed description, and further Gorean cultural context.)

Panther girls

Some women who are dissatisfied with the relatively narrow roles allocated to free women in Gorean societies, or who have run afoul of the laws of their native city-state or community, run away to the northern forests of Gor, joined there by some successfully-escaped kajirae. Such women are known as "panther girls" (from the panther-skins they wear as clothing) or "forest girls". Since they are outlaws (not under the protection of any Gorean home stone), they can be legitimately enslaved by anyone they meet, so they group together into roaming bands for mutual protection, and generally avoid men except in a few specific contexts (tense barter encounters, surprise ambushes to acquire captives, and occasional temporary bandit alliances). Some panther girls are very skilled with bows and arrows, but they're not real warriors (Norman thinks that a woman warrior is a contradiction in terms). Their only real military tactic is to try to arrange a suprise ambush to capture isolated individuals or small groups in the forest; if they fail to achieve a suprise ambush, or take on a group which they do not outnumber, then they very often lose and are captured and enslaved. They wear panther skins instead of cloth partly because they try to be self-sufficient, making do with resources available in the forests, in order to keep potentially dangerous encounters to a minimum. However, they do periodically barter captives and stolen objects for a few items which they greatly need or desire, but which they can't make for themselves — knives and arrowpoints of hard metal forged to a sharp edge, and the occasional block of hard sugar candy. Panther girls are often contemptuous of women who are not suited to the panther-girl way of life, and show little compunction about making use of their male and female captives (including sometimes raping male captives) while usually trying to quickly trade them for weapons and candy.

Pierced-ear girl

Traditionally in the "northern civilized cities of known Gor", piercing a woman's ears was usually done with the serious intention of permanently marking her as a particularly low slave, who should never be freed, and who should never even be made a "high slave" — since according to Gorean interpretations, a woman wearing ear-rings has an overwhelming sexual symbolism in which "the penetrability of her sweet flesh is brazenly advertised upon her very body, a proclamation of her ready vulnerability". (The use and meaning of ear-piercing described in Norman's Gor books was presumably influenced by Bible verses Exodus 21:6 and Deuteronomy 15:17.) After the fall of the southern-hemisphere city of Turia described in book 4 Nomads, ear-piercing became more common in the north, often done simply to attempt to increase a kajira's price, but pierced ears still retain connotations of brazen sexuality and permanent status as a low slave ("in Gorean eyes, [earrings] fasten a woman's degradation helplessly upon her"). By contrast, septum-piercing and the wearing of nose-rings is considered to be a simple kajira adornment (also practiced by free women in some cultures on Gor), without any strong symbolic significance.

Red silk

Non-virgin (especially of a female slave), one who has been "opened for the uses of men".

Rep-cloth

A relatively cheap and durable fabric which the majority of ordinary kajira garments are made from in the zone of the "northern civilized cities" (though that's not its only use); it is often dyed or printed with floral designs. The basic plant fibers are soft, but the type of cloth used for slave garments is often rather coarsely woven. Some serving slaves owned by free women wear tunics of closely-woven rep cloth starched to stiffness, which can be relatively modest (as slave garments go). However, kajirae more often wear unstarched clothing of rather thin rep-cloth which is closely clinging and not very concealing (quite revealing when wet). Male slaves (kajiri) more often wear garments of wool than rep-cloth.

Sign of the looped binding fiber

In the arctic zone of the northern hemisphere of the planet Gor, it is not practical for kajirae to wear skimpy attire, so that kajirae wear the same basic clothing as free women. However, every single garment worn by a female slave there (whether an inner garment or outer garment) must have a distinctive pattern of stitching which represents a looped binding fiber (such as is often used to tie up kajirae). The design, sewn into the clothes with red-dyed sinew, appears on the left shoulder of upper-body garments, and on the left hip of some lower-body garments.

Silk slave

Male slave kept by a woman owner for bedroom duties (most male slaves on Gor are used for hard labor in work gangs). When a free woman makes use of a kajirus sexually, he is often chained so that he is unable to hold her in his arms — since allowing this would be considered to add a note of male domination to the lovemaking. Some free women carefully avoid kissing a kajirus when making sexual use of him, since they would consider it degrading to soil their lips by touching them to the body of a mere slave. Note that only a small minority of rich free women on Gor own silk slaves, and (in contrast to the usual situation with free men and kajirae) it is often not very easy or convenient for a free woman to obtain the sexual use of a kajirus whom she does not personally own (in the city of Ar it is strictly forbidden by law).

Sirik

A set of linked chains and attached locking circlets intended to thoroughly restrain a woman's movements, but without needing to fasten her to anything, and while still allowing her to stand, to walk with mincing steps, and to kneel in the tower or nadu positions. The main chain (about five feet long) hangs down from a locking collar (sometimes a loose Turian collar which can be slipped over a regular slave collar); a bracelet chain (connecting two locking wrist manacles that are usually about 6-12 inches apart) is attached to the main chain roughly two feet below the collar, or at the "lower belly", while an anklet chain (connecting two locking fetters that are usually about a foot to a foot-and-a-half apart) is attached to the end of the main chain. The chain lengths can ideally be adjusted to taste; Norman suggests that best results are obtained when the main vertical chain (collar chain) is long enough to rest on the floor for several inches when the woman is standing straight (alternatively, the collar chain can be slightly shorter, and end in a small ring, through which the anklet chain is allowed free play). The chains should be light enough not to be too burdensome or uncomfortable when worn for hours.

Slave bells

Small bells worn by a kajira to make her more conscious of her body movements and/or to make it easier for masters to track her whereabouts, while providing a pleasant background of sound (the "music of bondage"). Such bells can be worn in many forms, but the most classic method is as five bells attached to a locking slave anklet (this is worn by state slaves of Ar, etc.).

Slave bracelets

A pair of locking wrist manacles connected by a light chain often about five inches in length. Can be used to confine a kajira's hands in front of or behind her body (more often the latter, as indicated by the "Bracelets!" command).

Slave livery

Term which usually refers to a specific type of basic slave tunic when this becomes a conventional kajira uniform in certain contexts. Thus "state slaves" owned by the government of the city of Ar wear standardized grey tunics. Also, in some Gorean cities during certain periods it was customary for kajirae to wear tunics with one or several diagonal stripes of color across the front. If in a household or establishment with multiple slaves, the kajirae are generally required to wear the same standardized attire most of the time, that's the "livery of the house".

Slave silks

Sheer or diaphanous garments with some similarity to earthly lingerie, but generally respecting the Gorean "no nether closure" rule; also known as "pleasure silks". Note that kajira clothing is more often brief, open, and loose than tight-fitting, thus allowing fairly free access to the kajira's body without the need to remove her clothing first (though kajira garments are sometimes tightly belted at the waist); for this reason, bra and panties or bikini type garments are not particularly Gorean. Also, slave silks are not underwear (since kajira clothing rarely has more than one layer).

Minimal slave strip, with one narrow rectangle of cloth

Slave strip(s)

A garment which consists of a cord tied around a kajira's body at the belly (usually fastened by an easily-untied slip-knot or bow at the left hip), sometimes with two rectangles or strips of cloth folded over the cord (one in front and one in back), but often with only one rectangle folded over the cord, in front.

Slave wine

Semi-permanent female contraceptive, usually taken by drinking an unsweetened bitter liquid. This is a medical refinement of the naturally-growing "sip-root" (traditionally used as a short-term contraceptive in some Gorean cultures); its effects can be reversed by administering a dose of a "releaser".

Southern hemisphere slave garments

In the southern hemisphere of the planet Gor (south of the equatorial jungles and west or south of the Tahari desert), there are some cultural practices different from those prevailing in the zone of the main northern hemisphere cities (or "northern civilized cities of known Gor"). Thus in the largest southern-hemisphere city of Turia, piercing the ears of kajirae, and having kajirae wear ear-rings, was traditionally done much more often than in the northern hemisphere (and without the special meaning assigned to ear-piercing in the northern hemisphere). The loose-fitting toroidal Turian collar is also favored over the close-fitting cylindrical collar of the northern hemisphere. Another difference between the two hemispheres is that in southern hemisphere cultures, kajira clothing often violates the "no nether closure" rule of the northern hemisphere. So among the Wagon Peoples of the Plains of Turia, standard kajira attire consists of the following four items: the Curla, a red cord knotted tightly around the waist and fastened above the left hip with an easily-untied slip knot (i.e. shoelace knot); the Chatka, a strip of black leather about six inches wide and four to five feet long, which is slipped over the Curla in front, passed between the legs, and slipped over the Curla from the inside in back, so that it is tight-fitting in the middle, while the loose ends fall freely in front and back; the Kalmak, a short sleeveless vest of black leather open in the front; and finally the Koora, a strip of red cloth (matching the Curla) used to tie back the hair (note that kajirae of the Wagon Peoples are not allowed to confine their hair in any other way). In addition to the "no nether closure" principle, this also violates the northern hemisphere preference that kajirae should not usually wear leather (which is considered too "masculine" for them), but rather soft clinging fabrics such as silk and rep-cloth. In the city of Turia itself, the most common kajira attire is the "Turian camisk" or piece of cloth cut in the shape of an inverted "T": the foot of the "T" is fastened at the neck and goes down the front of the body, between the legs, and up to the lower back where it meets the crossbar; the two ends of the crossbar are brought around to the front of the body and fastened there.

Stabilization serum

Immortality potion. (Slave wine and stabilization serums combine to contribute to certain apparently intentionally unrealistic aspects of the Gor books.)

Ta-Teera

The Gorean-language term for a "slave rag", that is, an irregular and generally somewhat fragmentary garment which does not fit the definition of any of the standard types of kajira clothing styles (tunic, camisk, etc.). Ta-teeras are often customized with strategic rips and gaps to be rather scanty and revealing. The minimum coverage requirement for a ta-teera would seem to be that if the kajira stands still, then her crotch will be covered from the view of anyone directly in front of her (but it might become visible from other angles and/or when she is in motion, as is the case to varying degrees with the majority of Gorean slave garments).

Tower slave

Female slave whose duties do not prominently include sexual services, also known as a "house slave" or "serving slave" (derogatory variant: "kettle slave"). Opposite is "pleasure slave" or "silk girl". Of course, the manner in which a kajira serves is decided solely by her owner.

Tower slave position

Like nadu, but with knees together (indicating a less sexual submission). Also called "the position of the house slave". When the hands are not occupied with some task, they generally rest loosely in front, with wrists crossed. Gorean free women commonly use a similar position to simply sit on the floor or the ground (without expressing any submission), but in less revealing garments than kajirae, and never with wrists crossed.

Tunic

Standard garment worn by men on Gor whose occupations demand physical effort and freedom of movement (such as warriors) — and also (in a rather different form) by female slaves. Tunics worn by kajirae are sleeveless and commonly rather short (with the hemline always above the knees, and usually only coming down to the upper thighs). Those slave tunics worn by pleasure slaves (as opposed to tower slaves) often have a deeply-plunging neckline, which can be slit in front down to the navel, and are often modified so that they can be removed with a simple pull on a "disrobing loop" attached to the left shoulder-strap, or by unfastening a clasp or loosening an easily-untied slip-knot or bow at the left shoulder strap. Unlike several other types of kajira attire, a slave tunic usually covers the most common kajira branding site (high on the side of the left thigh, under the hip). However, tunics can be slit at the sides in various ways, in order to be more revealing, and this can allow the brand to become visible. The tunics of the house livery worn by the kajirae of Miles of Argentum are "slit at the sides to the rib cage", so that the back and front are joined only for a few inches below the armpit (of course, if a tunic is slit completely, so that the back and front are not joined at the sides at all, then it becomes a camisk). In the northern temperate zone city-states, all of a kajira's garments are generally required to be open at the bottom (allowing an open-air path to her privates), to symbolize and facilitate her constant sexual availability and accessibility to her master (i.e. a "nether closure" is forbidden), so that no undergarments are worn.

Walking chain

Light locking ankle fetters connected by a light chain a foot or more long, when worn without other restraints, are likely mainly intended to keep a woman's stride length below some maximum considered aesthetic, rather than to confine a slave as such. Free women in some regions of Gor sometimes use an analogous "silken thong" as a beauty aid for the same reason, or occasionally even wear chains (as may have also sometimes been done in Biblical times — see Isaiah 3:16).

White silk

Virgin (especially of a female slave). Among Gorean men, virginity in a kajira is more often considered a negative (i.e. a sign of awkward inexperience) than a positive (though in some contexts it can have a certain commercial value on Gor).

See also

• Gor
• Gorean slave positions
• Turian collar
• Supplicant
• Kneeling

External links

• Gorean dictionary part A on SM-201 (There are also several other parts; this is a glossary of all terms connected with the fictional planet Gor, not just ones relevant to BDSM. )