The Jaffa are a race of humans genetically altered to serve as incubators for the Goa'uld larva and as foot soldiers.
They have sacs in their abdomens wich carry the Goa'uld symbiotes. While carrying a Goa'uld symbiote a jaffa recieve long live and health.
Unfortunately they cannot survive without the Goa'uld because the symbiote itself serves as a jaffa's immune system, fighting off most diseases and healing wounds aflicted in battle. Recently the jaffa have been given the choice to survive without Goa'uld symbiotes and use a drug called Tretonin. The Tretonin acts like a symbiote in many ways.
Slaves of the Goa'uld, the Jaffa are humans from many different worlds, most of whom have been implanted with larval Goa'uld symbiotes. Jaffa have a great sense of honor and nobility backing their oppressed history. Due to their oppression by the Goa'uld, many have become strong and self-sufficient on the battlefield.
At the time of implantation (typically around 10 years of age), the Jaffa who are "honored" enough and possess a sufficient community status are granted the ceremony of the prim'tah, when the Goa'uld symbiote is implanted within a young warrior, granting him great strength and long life. Because of their genetic manipulation by the Goa'uld, Jaffa are forced to receive a symbiote upon reaching the Age of Prata (puberty), or die from a failing immune system. Without a symbiote, an adult Jaffa cannot survive more than a few hours.
In recent years, since the Jaffa Teal'c betrayed his master Apophis and became shol'vah, many Jaffa have begun to question their beliefs that the Goa'uld are gods. Many have been severely punished for going against the Goa'uld, but many have survived to continue to bring others to the rebel cause -- the Jaffa Resistance, and the Hak'tyl resistance. But the vast majority of Jaffa societies, scattered on different planets throughout the galaxy and in the service of different Goa'uld masters, refuse to question their Goa'uld-imposed religious beliefs.
Though they are not especially superstitious, Jaffa are governed by strong religious beliefs. All believe in some form of afterlife. Goa'uld-serving Jaffa believe they will be greatly honored for their deeds in the afterlife. Rebel Jaffa believe their souls will be sent to Kheb, far beyond Goa'uld oppression, where their kalach (souls) will live without the prim'tah.
But, unfortunately, the Jaffa cannot yet survive without Goa'uld symbiotes. It is a cruel and enslaving link that has yet to be broken. If the Jaffa will ever be free, they must first find a way to free themselves from the need of the larval symbiote.
Text by Jeff Spickler
|
       |
|