Matriarchy
The Abbai are ruled by a Natar (a title roughly translated to Empress-Mother). The current Natar is Yrisha and she will reign until her death, at which time a daughter of her family will take the position. Though supreme authority rests with the Natar, a representative body known as the Marti heavily advises her. The Marti has some 200 members from all walks of life who are chosen by the populace once every 3 years. Women hold all positions of power both the public and private sectors of Abbai society. This form of government has been in existence for over 4,000 Earth years.

The Abbai have 16 different religions, the most popular being Oulai, which is the worship of wind and water. Abbai do not worship a divine being, but rather hold natural elements as sacred. There are religions, which worship stone, sand, plants, mountains etc. The only exception is Kolai, which is the worship of logic and knowledge. Religion is prized on Ssumssha and there is no rivalry between the various forms of worship.

Abbai society is a model of tolerance and respect. Their civilization is over 6,000 years old and has eradicated poverty and inequity in all areas. Women outnumber men by a ratio of five to one. Despite the dominance of the females, males are not considered in any way inferior and can participate freely in all areas of society, with the exception of the Matriarchy itself. However most Abbai males prefer academic, scientific or artistic pursuits over politics.

Cities are scarce on both Ssumssha and Tavita. There are only ten large cities on the Abbai homeworld. Most Abbai prefer to live in small villages. Most such villages are built in or around water. Strictly aquatic communities are frequent.

The Abbai have had interstellar flight capability for over 800 years, making them the one of the most advanced of the Younger Races, second only to the Minbari. They are especially skilled in the fields of agriculture, medicine, communication systems, and computer software. Because the Abbai have been dedicated to peace throughout most of the run of their civilization, all of the effort another race might dedicate to warfare has instead been channeled to non-violent means of defense, such as the Abbai force shield. Though they have joined the Interstellar Alliance, they have declined to share their shield technology, citing concerns that the technology could inspire much violence and death in the wrong hands.

The Abbai do not believe in violence or conquest and are the most gentle of all the known races. They do however have formidable defensive capabilities, mainly built around non-lethal weaponry. The Abbai have many interplanetary alliances through which they can call upon for aid in case of an attack. They have occasionally hired mercenaries as well. They are also adept at fouling or intercepting communications. When directly threatened, the Abbai can deploy a defense system unique among the Younger Races: Their ships and cities are capable of generating powerful force shields, which can withstand most assaults. Thus protected, the Abbai become extremely difficult to fight effectively.

It is rare for a race to attack the Abbai. It is even rarer to see an Abbai ship fighting outside their star system. The last time Abbai ships participated in an outside battle was in 2231, During the Dilgar War. In early 2230, the Dilgar attacked and took the Abbai Tavita colony. The Dilgar probably hoped to learn how the Abbai Force shield worked. What the Dilgar did to the Abbai colonists is unknown but it was extreme enough to shock the Abbai into joining the other non-aligned worlds in fighting the Dilgar. Natar Yrisha, who had been elevated to Natar the previous year, was quoted as saying, "I cannot stand by and watch the Dilgar commit atrocities." Once the Dilgar were expelled from the territory they had taken from the Non-Aligned Worlds, however, the Abbai were ordered home. When Natar announced the withdrawal of Abbai ships, she said, "…Just as the Abbai could not allow the Dilgar to kill and torture our allies, we cannot now be party to a war of revenge. Not even against those same Dilgar."