Zabrak are one of the most widespread species in the galaxy, but of course they did not start this way. The Zabrak originated on their homeworld of Iridonia, this being the only planet they knew in the beginning. The world was ravaged by war between differing Zabrak clans for many generations, but eventually the clans agreed that there had to be peace in order to survive on Iridonia.

The harshness of the planet caused many Zabrak to dream of leaving their homeworld behind. These driven Zabrak quickly began to develop their own technology, and as soon as they were able to, they set out into space to explore the galaxy, making them one of the very first space-faring species.

Large numbers of Zabrak emigrated from Iridonia to escape the harsh environment. They set up many colonies on more hospitable planets, beginning with nearby worlds and expanding to planets across the galaxy. By the time they were discovered by the Duros, another group of early space travelers, the Zabrak had already settled and colonized five star systems (with a total of eight colonies). The largest Zabrak colonies can be found on worlds such as Corellia and Talus, and there are also many Zabrak space stations.

The colonies were established and led by the strongest, most independent Zabrak. Each colony considered itself its own sovereign system, but they all saw that there would be benefits in belonging to a Galactic Republic. When the Republic was formed, the Zabrak colonies were among the first to send delegates to the Congress.

Zabrak history went smoothly during the majority of the Republic's existance, without any major wars or developments. The colonies continued to grow and flourish on their own, which unfortunately meant that all of the previously-united Iridonian Zabrak were now estranged from each other.

Though the Iridonians were, and remain, a very traditional people, those who broke from the rest and formed their own colonies did not often practice these traditions once leaving, nor did they put much emphasis on teaching their children and descendents of their prior culture. Over the years, much of this knowledge was lost, to the point where many off-world Zabrak leaned toward galactic standards, having no real culture to speak of.

When the Empire took over the Republic, most Zabrak resisted Imperial control, but were soon forced to give in as their worlds, and the rest of the galaxy, were Imperialized and their revolts were crushed. Imperial garrisons were placed on all their worlds and heavy taxes were placed upon the Zabrak, forcing them into poverty and disease that wiped out two of their colonies.

Mistreating the Zabrak and forcing them to bow to the Empire was meant to serve as an example to the rest of the galaxy: that no matter how strong-willed or independent, there was no point in resisting Emperor Palpatine; everyone would soon give in.

Although Darth Sidious had once trained a Zabrak apprentice, his Empire's discrimination against non-humanoids extended to Zabrak in many people's minds, and the species was met with unjust racism and even hatred from some Imperial believers.

The Empire's oppression reunited the Zabrak, whose many colonies had so long been separated. They joined together to form underground resistance movements, and soon all Zabrak began to emphasize once again that they were all of the same roots and had many similarities.

Once joining the New Republic after the Empire's end, the Zabrak sent Kaysil Verwood of Iridonia to the Congress as their sole representative, signifying that all their colonies were now considered one.

They had finally found the reunion they needed, but unfortunately it still did not give most off-world Zabrak any ties to Iridonia, and these emigrants' descendents had already lost most knowledge of their true culture.