First of all, to decide if being a kajira is a possibility in the modern world, one must compile a list of what makes a kajira, and what makes them stand apart from mainstream ‘slaves’.
This can, on the surface, be relatively easily summed up, with one simple quote: “Absolute obedience and exquisite beauty.” But those terms are never the same for two men, or even two women, each has their own idea of what this actually means. What I think is beautiful, isn’t necessarily what others think is beautiful.
So, perhaps the term ‘kajira’ can be broken down in other ways.
In my mind, there are eight ideals that together make up the essence of ‘a kajira’. Not one can ‘stand alone’, and without all elements, I don’t believe one can claim the title of kajira. I’m sure people will disagree with me, and that’s their right, but these are my beliefs.
A woman who claims the title ‘kajira’ should:
• Be deeply submissive/subservient
Perhaps self explanatory, but then, I think all of these points are! A kajira is a Gorean’s slave. Plain and simple. How can one be a slave, if one isn’t deeply submissive? This is the real world, and slavery was abolished in most western societies many years ago. People cannot be forced to serve someone else, so those who classify themselves as ‘kajira’ must be deeply submissive.
This doesn’t mean that the individual must be subservient to every man that walks past her down the local high street. It means she must be subservient to the man she is with, and all those that man deems ‘worthy’ and ‘honourable’.
• Be feminine, without many (if any) masculine traits
Gorean women, specifically slaves, are supposed to be women. And how is a woman a woman, if she’s got all the traits and characteristics of a man? She’s not. Femininity is a requirement on Gor. Slaves are supposed to be graceful and well-mannered.
This also, I believe, goes for looks as well. In our world, short hair, jeans, baggy jumpers and tracksuits are considered ‘normal’ for women, but what is feminine about looking like that? Traditionally, women have long hair and wore dresses and skirts. They were feminine, they had grace and poise. It’s not a hard requirement to fulfil - dress well, and as a woman. Don’t burp the alphabet along with the men. Simple, obvious things, that so many ‘kajira’ forget. They also forget, that women who dress like men are laughed at in the books. Gorean men find it a joke.
• Naturally need to give up control, not just want to
The difference between BDSM submissives, and Gorean submissives, is that those in BDSM think they want to give up control for a while. Gorean women need to give up control. Totally. Not just think they do, or want to. They do.
One cannot be taught this, it must be a natural instinct. Alright, there is always the chance of that instinct being repressed and being buried beneath the superficial masks of the 20th century - but that instinct is always there, that need is always there. Gorean women need to give up control like camels need water - they can go without, and survive, but in the end they need it.
• Have been a woman from birth, and not wish to ‘change’
I mean no offence to those who are transgendered, or who are going through ‘changes’ in their lives. But there is no such thing as a ‘transgendered Gorean slave’… If anyone can disprove this fact, and point it out to me in a book - please do!
The Gorean lifestyle revolves around the point of ‘the order of nature’, and what is natural about someone wishing to change their gender? In my mind; nothing!
• Be exquisitely beautiful
Beauty isn’t limited to looks. Although I’ve yet to read about the ‘ugly, 600lb kajira’ in the books. The women vary, but all are healthy. Petite, slim, toned, curvy - but all ‘healthy’! That is something that seems to be lost in the real life Gorean communities. Size doesn’t matter, as long as it doesn’t impact on health, or service.
That being said, Gorean men can see the potential in a woman, not just the outer shell. If they can see the potential, they are very likely to help with health issues, weight issues, or any other issue.
Beauty also extends to inner beauty. This is hard to fake, and cannot be concealed with make-up or clothes. And it goes back to the idea of being feminine and being graceful. Inner beauty, for a Gorean woman, is centred about being well mannered, polite, and respectful. This is hard to fake for long periods of time, as habits are hard to break.
• Be obedient
Simple. Gorean slaves are obedient. No, they aren’t obedient to every man, woman and child that comes along. But they are obedient to real life Gorean men. This doesn’t mean they will do anything they are asked, by any man who claims the title ‘Gorean Master’. It means that once the man has proved themselves honourable, without an angle, and Gorean - then they should be obeyed within the confines of the slaves Masters rules. No honourable man, would expect a woman to go against the Gorean philosophies and even less would try to ‘control’ or ‘manipulate’ an owned girl.
• Have a knowledge of the Gorean books, and more importantly, the philosophies and protocols contained within them
For a long time, I’ve always claimed the slave doesn’t necessarily need to read the books, and understand. That a real Gorean man can teach all she needs to know. But, having read the series myself, and having realised the impact they had on me, and how they affected what I did/do.. I think I’ll change my answer! The books are important, not because the slave can learn about the boats, or the flowers, or the animals of Gor; but because there are small snippets of slave psychology and awareness that riddle the books. A teacher can only teach so much, and even then not necessarily in a way that the pupil can understand.
Reading the Gor books and trying to decipher the philosophies and key elements of the Gorean lifestyle gave me a new perspective on it. I can now see the difference between a man who knows what he’s read about and a man that knows what he’s living. I’m even getting better at ‘seeing’ submissiveness... although that’s an art I’ve yet to perfect!
I don’t think women need to read every single Gorean book fifty times, I just think that they should have read at least the majority of them, so that they have a grasp of what it is that is expected of them. And what it is that makes Goreans stand apart from other lifestyles.
• Be owned by a Gorean man
One of the more… controversial… on the list. But the literal meaning of ‘kajira’ is purely ‘slave’ in the made up language of ‘Gorean’. How can one be a ‘kajira’ if one is not owned by a Gorean man? That’s like a woman being owned by sadist, but calling herself an ‘adult baby’.. doesn’t really match up!!
~
Some people will claim they are a ‘kajira’ without having read the books, or without being owned by a Gorean man. But in my mind, this doesn’t make them a kajira; it just makes them interested in the Gorean lifestyle, and a follower of the ideals.
I believe the term ‘kajira’ is banded about too freely these days, as many part-time ‘play’ slaves feel the need to label themselves ‘pet, toy, slut, and kajira’, this, is because the reality of a kajira is far more real and consistent than most other forms of slavery. A well trained kajira is often seen as ‘better’ or ‘more pleasing’ than a part-time play slave - and with good reason. One cannot just read a quote online and be a kajira; there is a lot of hard work that goes in before that.
So, is the life of a kajira just a fantasy dream like so many try to claim? Not in my mind. There is nothing ‘fantasy’ about being true to the natural, animalistic instincts we all have. There is nothing ‘fantasy’ about taking care of your body and to strive for perfection in everything. To anyone who claims differently, I ask you this, who are you trying to convince - me, or yourself?
~I wish you well~
~kamira, slave of Asmodeus~