Ref: Kajir Lecture 3

Karian, Notes Section 05C

The kajir as property, an animal, a meaningless slut

To the Gorean Master, the kajir is property. In particular, the kajir is *his* property. The kajir belongs to the Master, much as his sword, or his kailla, or riding beast, or his hunting sleen. This means that the Master will treat the kajir appropriately. That doesn't mean that the kajir is typically abused in any way, shape or form. Rather, it means that the kajir is used, cared for, maintained. The kajir, if found pleasing to the Master, may also be embellished, even garnished, with clothing, jewelry, especial lessons which improve the kajir's service to the Master, and overall value. The Master *cares* for his property, and would no more abuse a kajir than he would kick his hunting beast for the fun of it. If the kajir merits punishment, the kajir can expect to recieve it, indisputably. It doesn't mean that the Master no longer likes his property, rather, it means that he cares enough to improve it.

The kajir is often referred to as an animal, and it is true that the kajir is certainly held as property, just as an animal is. However, the real sense that the Gorean Master means when he calls the kajir an animal is that the kajir is *human*. Goreans see humans as an intrinsic part of nature, and Goreans have a tremendous amount of respect for nature, violating nature and the natural order of things is almost inconcievable to the Gorean, and a heinous crime. Humans, as a part of nature, are animals too, just as the sleen and the larl and tarn and the urt are all a part of nature, and animals as well. While the Master is quite likely to refer to a kajir as an animal, never does the Master take offense when he too, is called an animal. In fact, when a kajir calls the Master a 'beast', he is usually rather smugly proud of that fact, and acknowledges it fully. The Master too, is a human animal, and calling him a beast is confirmation of his nature as an animal, and of his humanity.

It is often the case that a kajira may be called a 'meaningless slut', or simply referred to as 'meaningless'. Like thier Earthen counterparts, Goreans do not like to consider themselves to be overly materialistic, or 'enslaved' to greed, or thier own desires. To demonstrate that in public, a Master may call even his most beloved kajira 'meaningless', when in fact, he would risk his very life to save her from danger. A slut is one who is both well used, and is bound by thier own carnal desires. The term is quite apt for the kajira.


The nature of Free Women, priceless

The Gorean Free Woman resides in a place of great honour, and respect, in Gorean society. She is treated with courtesy and even, to some degree in public, deference. Gorean Men tend to put thier Free Women on the highest of pedistals until the Free Woman proves that she does not deserve it. Remember, these women are the Gorean Man's mothers, his sisters, his spouse or Free Companion. A contract of Free Companionship is not lifelong, it expires and must periodically be renewed. If either party fails to appear for renewal, it automatically lapses. Such an institution precludes a mate from taking the Free Companion for granted or levying abuse, and getting away with it indefinitely. To the Gorean Man, the Free Woman is priceless.

Bear in mind that this applies to the Free Women who are of the Free Man's Homestone, his City and his family. To a lesser degree, the Gorean Man gives the assumption of basic courtesy and respect to all Free Women, unless he is on a raid or trying Chain Luck in another City, in which case the women of that other place are both prey, and prize to be captured. It is a basic ritual for a young Warrior to gather his first honours in the capture of a Free Woman of another City, and bear her home to be made kajir. In his home, the women of his family, his mother and sisters, will bathe and prepare the woman in silks to be presented to the young man that night, the glorious proof of his manhood and worthiness to be a Warrior. Even in capture and defeat, even as she is transitioning from Free Woman to kajira, she has great value to the Free Man.

A point to consider from the Books; in spite of the far larger scope given to kajirae, Free Women on Gor outnumber kajirae in the average Gorean city by a ratio of 40 to 1. This is not all surprising, when one stops to think about it. Truly, it would be difficult for it to be otherwise. Only a Free Woman can bear a Free Child... And Gor honours it's Free Women.

As kajir, you will quickly learn that most Free Women, particularly those who are not of Gor, will dislike you, even loathe and despise you. Not all Free Women will take this attitude towards kajir, in ircGor particularly, it is uncommon for a number of reasons, primary because most FW have been, or are planning on being again, kajira, but also because this is irc, and feelings on irc, while deep enough in thier way, do not compare to real life.

It is said that in every kajira, there is something of the free woman, and in every free woman, there is something of the kajira. This is very true in 95% of the cases out there. However, like all general statements, there are of course, exceptions to the rule. Women who are wholly Free Women and will never understand, or be able to be, kajira, and kajirae who are wholly kajira, and will never understand, or able to be, Free Women. On ircGor, it is usually unacceptible for women to be 'switches', that is, moving back and forth between Free Woman and kajira. In Gor of the Books, it is extremely rare that a kajira became Free, but common enough for a Free Woman to become kajira. In real life... most women truly do have both sides within them, and are natural switches. It is up to the Master, and the circumstances of the society and the relationship, which determines how much of the Free Woman is permitted to come out.


Slavery is in the belly, slave heat, oil, and juicing

The Gorean kajira feels her slavery in her belly. Why this is so, I have absolutely no idea. I am a Master, and, in spite of having asked this question of kajirae who do feel thier slavery in thier belly, have still not recieved a satisfactory answer. It may be that it is something which needs to be discovered and realized, before it is understood. I can say this, however.... as the Books have said it, and from what kajirae have spoken in regards to the matter, it appears to be true. That they feel thier slavery deep in thier belly, at times almost a physical need that can be so extreme as to cause cramping and pain. They are kajira, and that need is answered by a Master's presence, acknowledgement, and firm handling of the girl.

Often, you will see kajirae referring to "slave heat". What this refers to is not the firey need of the girl's slavery, which is felt in the belly, or also sometimes very strongly in love, in her heart, but rather slave heat refers to the heat between her thighs. The heat generated by her arousal, and, sometimes, the moisture beading about the crotch area from this.

The flow of vaginal lubrication caused by arousal is referred to as "juicing", or "oiling", in Gorean terms. The liquid itself is called the "oil of submission".

A kajira is defined by her devotion, and her needs. By what she gives, and what she craves.


Pride, and honour, in a kajir

It is often said that a slave should not be proud, and that no kajir can have honour, that honour is a thing for Free People only. The nature of honour defies absolute definition, and I will not try to constrain honour here, but will say that the honour amongst kajir is not the same as the honour amongst Free People.

However... the actions of a kajir can certainly reflect honour on the place they are in, on the one who holds thier collar. Some may try to deny this, but if a kajira serves poorly, a Free Person has to wonder about not only the quality of her training, but who it was who trained her, and at the Master who would permit such a sad creature to wear his collar about her neck. Is he such a poor Master that such a sad creature is all he can afford, or attract? Such a poor Master that he doesn't even know when he has a sub-standard kajira? Is he such a poor Master that he is incapable of training a kajira to decent standards?

On the other hand, if the kajira serves well, the Free Person will look upon the Master with approval and perhaps even envy. The Free Person will think, "This kajira has been exquisitely trained, she must be a dream to her Master, what a lucky fellow he is!". The Free Person will be interested in knowing who trained such a kajira, and if such training might be made available to his own kajira one day. Who then, is being honoured? The kajira's Master, first... the kajira's trainer, second... and last, to an extent, the kajira herself recieves praise in the form of the acknowledgement of her ability to learn, and be pleasing.

As for pride.... The Gorean slave girl is expected to be proud of her skills and talent, her capacity for love and devotion, of how much pleasure she can bring to her Master, and how pleasing he finds her. A 13:193 kajira should be proud of her sensuousness, and her passion, as well, for these are things which she places at her Master's discretion and disposition, for his pleasure.


Courtesy and respect

It may seem redundant to say this, but having seen that too many times a would-be kajir fails miserably in this single, basic regard, it is important to cover this aspect. A kajir must ALWAYS behave with the utmost in courtesy and respect to all Free People, no matter what the provocation to behave otherwise. There is very little that is more disgusting than seeing a kajir break from this fundimental behavior and act more like an Earth sub, being discourteous and disrespectful to a Free Person who may or may not have given the kajir cause to do so. Bear in mind that what is sufficient cause for another Free Person to behave without courtesy and respect is in no way sufficient cause for a kajir to the same. There is no excuse, ever, and failure in this regard is taken very seriously. Forgiveness for lapsing in courtesy and respect is not easy to obtain, if it is even possible.

Even in dealings with other kajir, courtesy and mutual respect will get the kajir much further than being unpleasant. Other kajir can be of inestimable help to one another, but if they are at odds with a kajir, they can easily be that kajir's downfall. Thus, if there is no interest in being decent towards one's chain brothers and sisters, at least let self-interest be the motivation.

A kajir should not expect to be respected in the least regard by Free People. If a kajir desires to be respected, and that is of paramount importance to the kajir, then the kajir should have been a Free Person, and not a slave. A kajir is property, and any consideration for the kajir comes from the kajir's Owner, and that Owner's discretion. It is good if others respect the property rights of the Owner as well, but that is not the same as respecting the kajir for him or herself


Free People can say, 'please' and 'thank you' to kajir

When dealing with a kajir, it is not uncommon for Free People who are of civilized, urban regions to use the words "please", or "thank you", or similar courtesies, when speaking with the kajir. Do not make the terrible mistake of assuming that this means an option has been laid before you. It has not. From a Free Person, even a request carries the full weight and freight of the most harshly given command. The Free Person is not being courteous out of respect for the kajir, but rather, the Free Person is being courteous because it pleases them to be so, and to create a more relaxed atmosphere.


Meanings of the Serving Placements

When the kajir serves food or drink to the Free Person, the crux of the serve is at the very end, when the kajir is presenting it, and him/ herself to the Free Person. This is sometimes also called 'the denoument' of the serve. What follows are the meanings behind each of placements of the offering, each should be shown during the course of the denoument, so that the discerning Free Person can see the intent and desire of the kajir who is serving.

1) Placed between the knees, at knee level - Sign of humility and supplication before the Master.
2) Placed before the sex - Acknowledgement of her womanhood and it's complete surrender to the Master, recognition of her sexual needs.
3) Placed before her belly - Recognition and acceptance of her nature as kajira, the belly as the wellspring of her slavery.
4) Placed between her breasts, near her heart, for a count of three heartbeats - Recognition of her love and devotion, and all of her hopes and desires. The three counts of the heart are for, 1} Love, 2} Devotion, and 3} Obedience. Note the correlation to the three moons of Gor, which are known to have a profound effect on female sexuality (refer: Talunas).
5) Pressed to her lips - Sign of obeisance to the Master
6) Kissing the cup with lips and tongue, tiny sip/taste of the contents from her palm - Though still afar, it is as the kiss of something which the Master's lips may touch, further sign of her devotion, love, and needs. It also serves to show that she is willing to chance dying for the Master, as she is also checking for poison, that it may strike her instead of Him. Furthermore, it serves to allow her to certify and accept full responsibility for the quality, fitness, and proper preparation of the offering, for she has tasted of it herself.


A Free Person is always right, or by definition, never wrong.

This is concerns one of the facets of the Gorean Way which many consider to be unfair, somehow, sometimes. Perhaps that is the case, by Earth definitions. By Gorean definition, the Master is in absolute control, the kajir subject to his every slightest whim. The Master can be wrong in relation to other Free People, but never wrong in relation to the kajir. The kajir is, after all, his property, and Gorean Law recognizes the right of the Owner to do as he pleases with that which belongs to him.

Thus it is said, in regards to any argument which may occur between kajir and Free Person, "The kajir always has the last words when arguing with the Free Person, and the last words are "Yes Master".


Nature of abuse, misuse, neglect

The kajir belongs to the Owner, property. Can one be wrong in regards to a chair, or a cup? No. One can misuse or abuse property, that is true, but if the property belongs to the Free Person, in theory it is his right to do so.

Abuse, misuse, neglect of property... Obviously such behavior shows poor managerial skills on the part of the Owner, not to mention that the Owner is revealed as being one who cannot be trusted to take care of what is owned, how can the Owner be trusted with that which belongs to someone else?! It also shows that the Owner may not comprehind the nature of the property... The kajir is property, yes, absolutely... But the kajir is *human* property. Just as the Owner would not toss a porcelin cup across the room and into the sink the way one might toss a plastic cup, or leave a painting outside in the rain and the snow, the Owner takes into account the nature of his property and treats it accordingly. The kajir is human property, and as such, has human sensibilities and human needs. This does not mean that the kajir's sensibilities and needs come first. It means that the Master takes them into account, and acts to take care of his property, fulfilling his property when and where and as needed, giving all due consideration for the property's well-being and growth in the direction that the Master chooses, in order to make his property as good as he or she can be.

What defines abuse, misuse, or neglect? This is a much thornier issue, and the result of numerous recurring discussions amongst all Goreans, each has thier own idea on the matter. Each Master or Mistress is different, and unique, just as each kajir is unique. In general, as a rule of thumb, if the needs of either the Master or Mistress, or the kajir, are not being met, then we have a case of neglect as a minimum.

If the kajir is being used improperly, that is, if the kajir is being used as other than a kajir, that constitutes misuse.

The hardest circumstance to be clear on is that of abuse. What the kajir considers abuse may not be what the Master or Mistress consider to be abuse. The very nature of the relationship means that the Master or Mistress is in the right. At times, the Owner may impose something that is unpleasant or distasteful upon the kajir as discipline or punishment, and that is not necessarily abuse. However, if the situation continues in such a fashion for an extended period of time, a case may be made for actual abuse.

In ircGor, the recourse is straight forward. The kajir must simply claim abuse, misuse, or neglect, before other Free People, and to the Owner, request release from their collar. The Owner may then consider the option of outright release of the kajir. After all, what Owner would want to keep a kajir who would request release? Should the Owner decide not to release the kajir, the request starts a clock to begin to count down. After a set period of time, a period sufficient for the Owner to attempt to sway the kajir's mind, thus ensuring that the kajir is absolutely certain about desiring release, the kajir is automatically free, by ircGorean Law, and the collar may be removed. This is done with the knowledge of third-party Free People, that the count of the clock may be assured to be accurate.

The countdown from request to release varies widely across ircGor. In most places, the convention is 30 days, or one month. In some channels, the period is as short as 14 days, or two weeks. The shorter period of two weeks is the standard used in Port Kar, based upon two factors. First, it is felt that in ircGor, time runs slowly on a subjective level, and there is no need to drag the proceedings out further. If the Owner cannot rectify the situation in two weeks, an additional two weeks is not likely to make much of a difference. And second, the two week period is one which was agreed upon by a Council of Gorean Channels, the Gorean Council at the time, where over 12 channels voted to make that the standard period of time for release. Port Kar agreed to comply with that consensus decision.

In real life, there is no governing Gorean Council, no Gorean Law, no ircGorean convention that holds any sway whatsoever. Thus, the matter is wholly at the discretion of the kajir and the Owner.... There is nothing that can be said here which will force the situation one way or the other, real life has it's own priorities and needs and dangers. All that can be advised to the Owner is that few countries have legal systems which support slavery of any kind, and so the Owner should take that into consideration. To the slave, know yourself before you go into it, and know the Owner as well. A hasty decision can have very serious repercussions. A truly abusive Owner can do an enormous amount of damage, and an untrustworthy slave can wreck an Owner's life. A great deal of integrity is called for, let your conciences be your guide.


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