This violent race was Voyagers first true enemy in the Delta Quadrant. The Kazon are a nomadic race composed of various sects that traded food, water, ore and other valuables amongst themselves, often in a very violent fashion.
Outcasts from a Kazon sect are known as goven, and are rejected by all sects, who will cut off a finger of the outcast's and send him on his way.
Young warriors of a sect must earn their sect name by an act of bravery in battle. A name can be earned even if the Kazon dies in battle, and those that die with no sect name are considered cowards.
The Kazon once shared their homeworld with a race known as the Trabe. In 2346 the Kazon revolted and took control of the planet. This revolt was led by Jal Sankur, who was the last Kazon to unite the sects in a common cause. Prior to this revolt the Trabe had controlled most of the planet's resources and shared little with the Kazon. The rich and powerful Trabe had used their power to manipulate information such that few off-worlders knew much of the Kazon, who were kept in restricted areas and taught to fight amongst themselves in order to prevent them from attacking the Trabe.
Territory among the Kazon sects also varies, making distinct territorial lines nearly impossible for outsiders to determine. The Kazon are known to defend their territory rigorously, rarely allowing trespassers to escape their pursuit.
The number of sects is never fixed, but instead varies on a daily basis. In early 2372 there were 18 sects recognized by the Kazon. Known Kazon sects include the following:
Kazon-Hobii: As of 2372, the Hobii were led by First Maje Jal Loran. In late 2372, Maje Loran, along with other Kazon leaders, was invited to a peace conference on planet Sobras organized by Captain Janeway and the Trabe leader Mabus. The meeting proved to be a trap devised by Mabus to exterminate the Kazons. Although no lives were lost, the assassination attempt deepened Kazon hatred against both Trabe and Federation forces.
Kazon-Mostral: As of 2372, the Mostral were lead by First Maje Jal Surat.
Kazon-Nistrim: The second sect encountered by USS Voyager, the Nistrim are known as one of the most violent sects in the Kazon Collective. As of 2373 they were led by First Maje Culluh, who made was almost successful in taking control of Voyager in late 2372. The Nimstrim were sworn enemies of the Kazon-Relora.
Kazon-Ogla: The first sect encountered by Voyager in 2371 were the Kazon-Ogla, who were mining cormaline on the homeworld of the Ocampa.
Kazon-Oglamar: AS of 2372, the Oglarmar were led by First Maje Jal Valek.
Kazon-Pommar: As of 2372 the Pommar, led by First Maje Jal Minnis, maintained a settlement on Sobras.
Kazon-Relora: In 2372 the Relora were led by First Maje Jal Haron until stardate 49208 when Haron was killed by Jal Cullah. The Relora are blood enemies of the Nistrim. The Relora had many ships and were considered one of the most powerful of the Kazon sects. The Relora did not attend the disastrous peace conference of 2372 arranged by the Trabe leader Mabus.
The BORG designated the Kazon Species 329. They were deemed unworthy of assimilatation