A Media Link

During our meeting at the library on Wednesday, we discussed the way that the Runa, while seen by the Jesuit team as beautiful and exotic creatures, are used as domesticated pets by the other races on Rakhat (Russell 330). This reminded me of a race called the Unas on Stargate: SG1.

The Unas are an ancient race of greenish reptile-like creatures who have their own language and society, even art. 

One of the main characters, archaeologist Daniel Jackson, is kidnapped by an Unas called Chaka. While imprisoned, he acts as anthropologist, trying to figure out the Unas' customs, language and lifestyle. He succeeds enough to befriend Chaka (episode 4x08, 'The First Ones').

In a later episode, (5x07, 'Beast of Burden') Chaka is taken by a group of Unas traders who use one of the oldest races in the galaxy as slaves and endentured servants.

The following is a transcript from 'Beast of Burden', since I couldn't find a suitable video link:

[The Stargate on the planet kawooshes, and SG-1 come through.]

CARTER
The UAV shows the nearest of the surrounding towns to be three clicks in that direction. Evidence of a substantial population, lots of cultivated fields.

DANIEL
Farmers?

O'NEILL
Farmers with staff weapons.

[SG-1 reach a vantage point from where they can see a village. Daniel looks through his binoculars, and sees an Unas pulling a log. A man follows the Unas, with a whip.]

DANIEL
Domestication.

O'NEILL
Yeah.
(To Carter)
We'll check things out down there. Carter, you and Teal'c hang back, cover us in case these folks don't like visitors.
(To Daniel)
Any ideas?

DANIEL
Well, let's see how far honesty gets us.

O'NEILL
Okay.

...

[An auction is in progress.]

BURROCK
This animal comes from an excellent bloodline. He can press grain at the stone mill from first light to day's end. He can haul any cart with any load, any distance.

[A man strikes the Unas, who growls.]

BURROCK
And he has spirit.

[The Unas is hit again. He growls more loudly.]

MALE VILLAGER #1
He’s probably inbred.

http://www.stargate-sg1-solutions.com/wiki/5.07_%22Beast_Of_Burden%22_Transcript

We know that the Runa were bred quite a lot by the Jana'ata and at one point Emilio is even forced to eat some Runa flesh, which suggests it is either used as a punishment due to its taste, or that it is a normal staple of the Rakhat diet, much as Earthlings view cows. The only difference between cows and the Runa or the Unas is that cows don't (as far as we know) have any language, nor do they have a self-sufficient lifestyle.

On the other hand, cows are seen as stupid creatures, which is the way the Runa are viewed by just about everyone. The Unas, similarly, are viewed as beasts of burden because of their ability to work hard, and because of their growling language. Here is a clip of the Unas' who are held prisoner in 'Beast of Burden' communicating with Chaka, planning their escape.

By Meaghan Duncan