Episodes and their episode numbers regularly mentioned in this article:
[#15 Jetrel], [#42 and #43 Basics], [#54 Macrocosm] [#61 Rise], [#55 Fair Trade], [#80 Mortal Coil], [#169 Homestead].

TALAXIANS : Page 7

TALAXIAN CULTURE AND SPIRITUAL BELIEFS Talaxians believe that upon death, they enter the Great Forest. At the centre of the Great Forest stands the Guiding Tree where a close family member will lead the soul to meet the rest of its ancestors.

The Guiding Tree as envisaged in Naomi Wildman's dream. [Mortal Coil]

The Talaxian culture places importance on family connections. The annual holiday of Prixin, which lasts more than one day (as reference in tv dialogue is to "the first night of Prixin") celebrates family togetherness. The traditional salutation is: "We do not stand alone. We are in the arms of family: father, mother, sister, brother, father's father, father's mother, father's brother, mother's brother, fa-.... Tuvok interrupted the list to comment: 'Suffice it to say the list is extensive.' We gather this day to extol the warmth and joy of those unshakable bonds. Without them we could not call ourselves complete. On this day we are thankful to be together. We do not stand alone." A page of pictures of Voyager's crew celebrating Prixin are at SHIP USS VOYAGER: Detailed Interior Tour: Messhall: Page 3

Food served at Prixin aboard USS Voyager in 2374. [Mortal Coil]

A common Talaxian axiom is "the dream dreams the dreamer" [#124 Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy]

Jirex, considered to be one of the greatest writers in the Talaxian canon, authored many widely-read parables. Neelix reads one from 'The Selected Works of Jirex' every night before going to sleep [#92 Demon].

[Demon]

Despite the occupation of their homeworld, Talaxians maintain their own cultural identity. If the example of the asteroid colony encountered by USS Voyager in late 2377, in [Homestead], is anything to judge by, many Talaxians left Talax to seek a free and peaceful existence elsewhere.

It is tradition in Talaxian society to share the history of a meal before eating. It was seen as a way of enhancing the culinary experience. [#44 Flashback]. See the section below TALAXIAN FOOD.

Neelix's species is recognised by the Vaadwaur male called Gedrin. [Dragon's Teeth]

Eldaxon was an authority on Talaxian folk tales. The second edition of Eldaxon's 'Collected Folklore,' published in 5012, contains stories such as 'The Demon With The Golden Voice', 'The Tale of the Deadly Stranger', 'The Boy Who Lost His Head' and 'The Tale of the Bloody Hand'. The content of the stories gave Neelix a clue about the real history and nature of the Vaadwaur when USS Voyager encountered the race in 2376. [Dragon's Teeth]

TALAXIAN FOOD Neelix introduces Talaxian foods to Voyager's crew once he appoints himself to the role of ship's cook in early 2375 [Phage].

[Phage]

Talaxian dishes prepared by Neelix for the ship's crew include Talaxian Stew, containing Talaxian worm root and Talaxian spices [Caretaker]. He uses Talaxian worm root in a dish he prepares for Gar, a Dralian trader detained in Voyager's bridge, in 2377. Gar's bad reaction to the Talaxian worm root encourages him to provide the information that Tuvok has been unsuccessfully interrogating him for, namely the whereabouts of the Doctor's program that Gar stole during a previous visit to the ship. [#151 Critical Care].

Gar relishes his meal, unaware that in a moment he will feel very ill, thanks to Talaxian worm root. [Critical Care]

[The Gift]

Neelix brought on board USS Voyager Talaxian moon-ripened champagne which he opened to share a toast to "the adventure!" with Kes in [#70 The Gift] (they last sipped it three years previously).

Other foodstuffs include Talaxian tomatoes and Talaxian champagne (best when moon-ripened) which Neelix and Kes share in early 2374 shortly before her permanent departure from the ship [The Gift]. In 2372, while stranded with Chakotay on a planet apparently for the rest of their lives, Janeway plants Talaxian tomato seeds in a garden hoping to grow vine ripened Talaxian tomatoes [#41 Resolutions]

Janeway rests after planting Talaxian tomatoes. [#41 Resolutions]

Chadre-kab is considered a delicacy among the Talaxians. It can be baked, boiled, stir-fried or roasted. Neelix serves it steamed as Seven's first meal in 2374 [The Raven] and she serves it roasted at the gourmet meal that she cooks for certain senior staff in 2377 - Neelix announces, "For our third course, Luhvian quail in truffle sauce served with roasted chadre kab." [#161 The Void].

[#74 The Raven]

Close-up of chadre-kab. [#74 The Raven]

[#161 The Void]

In early 2373 Neelix tried to introduce to Tuvok the Talaxian custom of providing meal preparation narrative, to appreciate the source of the food, but Tuvok interrupted to say that he does not wish to hear the life history of his breakfast. [#44 Flashback]

Amber spice is a Talaxian delicacy. Neelix obtains it in 2376 from a Kartelan freighter that obtained it from Sector 492, inhabitants who have a Talaxian heritage. [#130 The Voyager Conspiracy].

The consignment of amber spice in Voyager's cargo bay. [The Voyager Conspiracy]

[Homestead]

Taga cake is a Talaxian pudding. Neelix serves his family's recipe for taga cake to Dexa when she visits USS Voyager in late 2377. She has not eaten the confection for years. After tasting it she tells him, "You're a good cook."