The Vori are a race in a ten year war with another race on the planet known as the Kradin. The Vori routinely use other species as soldiers for their army. The unsuspecting species is usually forced to land on the planet, and is then subjected to a very complicated technique of brainwashing by where the alien is taught to hate the Kradin race and will attempt to kill them on sight.
Commander Chakotay was subjected to their brainwashing and internment after his shuttle was shot down during a scouting mission. Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, with the help of the Kradin, was able to rescue Commander Chakotay.
The Vori have a belief in the proper burial of the dead. The individual is placed on the ground facing down so that his soul will be allowed to go on the the Hereafter. It is believed to be a descreation of the dead when they are left facing up to the sky. The Vori portrayed the Kradin as evil because they would stake the dead with their faces pointed up to the sky following a battle.