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This article was written by Diebeq5b. Please do not add to it without the writer's permission.
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| Bukgu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Species | |
| Powers |
Use of Kanohi
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| Status |
Active
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| Location | |
| Pronunciation |
BUKU
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The Bukgu are one of the six main species created by Mata Nui, former residents of Mazra Nui, and current residents of Xianori.
History[]
The Bukgu are one of the main species created by Mata Nui as part of a collection of six species. However, they were also manipulated by the Great Beings, shaping their destiny and influencing their development.
Settling on the island of Mazra Nui, the Bukgu established the highly successful trade center known as the Port of Mazra Nui. They negotiated advantageous rates and policies with other regions of the universe, eventually forming privileged trade treaties with Metru Nui and Xia. The Port of Mazra Nui became a dominant force in trade and ruthlessly suppressed opposition, solidifying its position as a powerful cartel.
When Carapar, a member of the Bukgu species, became one of the Barraki, it was not the preferred outcome for the elite of Mazra Nui, who believed a yellow-eyed member, the most prestigious in their society, should have been chosen. Nonetheless, they accepted the reality.
During the League of Six Kingdoms' attempt to impose control over Mazra Nui, the Bukgu declared war on Carapar, whom they considered a traitor. Carapar deceived the Bukgu by offering them poisoned food, weakening them and allowing the Barraki to conquer the island. However, Mazra Nui regained its independence after the Barraki disappeared.
When the Toa Mazra, who were appointed as protectors of Mazra Nui, proclaimed themselves as rulers of the island, the Bukgu opposed them. A group of Bukgu rebels created the Nui Stone in an attempt to rebel against the Toa's rule. Eventually, the Toa team dissolved from within, and the Bukgu regained control of the island.
After the Reign of Shadows, the surviving Bukgu migrated to Spherus Magna but refused to join the unified society led by the Spherus Magna Council. Instead, they, along with the Vortixx, founded their own kingdom called Xianori. Over time, Xianori came under the governance of a Bukgu, Canrum.
Kapokhed, a pariah of the Bukgu species, became the destined user of the legendary Kanohi Gebuk and the Savior of Spherus Magna. This event led to a shift in power dynamics, with the Bukgu elite losing control over the lower class. Inspired by Kapokhed's story, the lower-class Bukgu began to question their circumstances. Kapokhed seized the opportunity to initiate the Xianori Rebellion, which aimed to dismantle the Bukgu caste system and bring about social change. The Rebellion devastated the Xianori nobility, permanently altering Bukgu society.
Abilities and Traits[]
Female (left) and Male (right) Bukgu.
The Bukgu are a race of reptilian-insectoid beings, slightly shorter than the average Toa. They possess heavily plated armor that is exceptionally durable and practically indestructible. The natural color of their armor typically falls within gunmetal to silver, although some Bukgu may choose to customize it to their preferred color.
A distinctive feature of the Bukgu is their large, prominent eyes. Eye color has traditionally held great significance in their society, with different colors denoting social class or status.
In terms of abilities, the Bukgu are capable of accessing the powers of Great Kanohi masks. However, wearing masks or any form of headwear is generally frowned upon within their culture. This is because masks could potentially be utilized to conceal or alter the color of their eyes, which holds particular importance in Bukgu society.
Society[]
The Bukgu's society was organized under a strict caste system, where each individual's role and place in society were predetermined based on the color of their eyes. This system further reinforced the societal divisions and contributed to the notion of wealth and power being concentrated in the hands of the elite few.
The strict division of roles and privileges based on eye color perpetuated socioeconomic disparities within Bukgu society, with the elite benefiting greatly from the labor and resources controlled by the lower castes. This system, coupled with the Bukgu's inclination towards wealth accumulation and questionable business practices, reinforced the stereotype of greed and corruption associated with the species.
The different eye colors were directly associated with specific privileges, responsibilities, and purposes within Bukgu society:
| Bukgu Castes | ||
|---|---|---|
| Eye color | Rank | Description |
| Yellow | Royalty | Yellow-eyed Bukgu were the highest caste, comparable to royalty. They typically held positions as rulers or occupied the highest ranks in businesses. Yellow-eyed individuals were extremely rare, and their status bestowed them with great authority and prestige. |
| Red | Nobility | Red-eyed Bukgu belonged to the nobility. They served as members of the "court" of yellow-eyed Bukgu, held managerial positions in businesses, or worked as agents of the law. The red caste held considerable influence and were seen as the elite class just below the royalty. |
| Blue | Citizens | Blue-eyed Bukgu were considered ordinary citizens. They had the opportunity to obtain paid jobs and comprised the majority of the population. Blue-eyed individuals were the most common among the different eye colors and were often found in various professions, including the military. |
| Green | Servitude | Green-eyed Bukgu belonged to the servitude caste. They were essentially unpaid servants for the higher castes, resembling a form of slavery. They were expected to be submissive, obedient, and serve the needs of their masters. Green-eyed Bukgu were primarily engaged in domestic tasks such as being a scribe, bodyguard, or handmaiden. Their owners were prohibited from using them as cheap labor in businesses, ensuring that the privileges and positions of the blue-eyed Bukgu were protected. Green-eyed individuals were seen as status symbols and could be given away as presents at the owner's discretion. |
It is interesting to note the existence of Bukgu with eye colors outside of the traditional caste system, such as orange or white. These individuals were considered casteless and faced significant challenges in Bukgu society. Forced to live on the fringes, they often resorted to criminal activities for survival or chose to distance themselves from their kind altogether. Mutants or individuals with deformities also fell into the casteless category by default.
The Bukgu elite's obsession with status and appearance fueled a culture of over-indulgence and competition. They believed that anything they could appropriate was theirs by right, leading to a willingness to engage in any means necessary to surpass rival aristocrats, as long as they avoided getting caught. This atmosphere of cutthroat competition resulted in a court filled with murders, betrayals, and intricate political intrigues. Despite their internal rivalries, the Bukgu nobility would unite to quash acts of rebellion, viewing them as threats to their authority. Advancement within the hierarchy relied on accumulating wealth, gaining the support of fellow nobles, and often involved employing subterfuge and manipulation.
The Bukgu, despite their questionable ethics and ruthless nature, displayed a deep respect for nature and its aesthetics. They valued the beauty of plants and gardens and, if they had the means, surrounded their homes with lush greenery. Many noble Bukgu employed Bo-Matoran to care for the plants in their properties.
Theft was considered a severe crime in Bukgu society, carrying the penalty of capital punishment. Additionally, the use of eye filters to change one's eye color was also illegal, to maintain the rigid caste system and prevent individuals from disguising or altering their social standing.
Examples[]
Trivia[]
- Diebeq based many aspects of Bukgu society on the Homeworld Gems of Steven Universe, the Neimodians of Star Wars, and the Gran Orlesian Game of Dragon Age.