Ithorian

Ithorians, commonly referred to as hammerheads or as leathernecks as an insult, were a sentient species from the planet Ithor. Ithorians had two mouths on the opposite sides of their necks, giving them a deep, rumbling voice. Most Ithorians were peaceful and revered nature. The species' pacifism was so strong that they exiled violent individuals from their homeworld of Ithor. Notable Ithorians include Dok-Ondar, a collector on Batuu, and Momaw Nadon, an Ithorian gardener who was exiled from his homeworld.

Biology and appearance

OncaBulduga-Db — Onca (left) and Bulduga (right), Ithorian bounty hunters and brothers

Ithorians, commonly referred to as "hammerheads," were a sentient species from the planet Ithor.^[11] Living in the forests or jungles,^[14] Ithorians had a unique set of twin mouths on opposite sides of their necks^[1] with four throats, making them speak in stereo^[13] with deep, rumbling voices.^[1] They had two stomachs.^[16] Their unique throat structure prevented them from speaking Galactic Basic Standard, although this was mitigated by a number of devices, such as the translator collar, which allowed translation from Ithorese into Basic.^[17] They could be Force-sensitive.^[3]

Ithorians were called "leathernecks" as an insult by Imperial stormtroopers.^[18] The Ottegan species were a genetic offshoot of the Ithorians, and had a similar physiology, possessing only one mouth instead of two.^[2]

Society and culture

Most Ithorians were peaceful and revered nature. The species' pacifism was so strong that they exiled violent individuals from their homeworld of Ithor. They considered Ithor sacred and strictly prohibited hunting on the planet's surface.^[19] Though Ithorians tended to their forest gardens on Ithor,^[14] a majority of the planet's surface was covered with the Mother Jungle, a vast rainforest that the Ithorians considered sacred, forbidding anyone from setting foot within.^[20]

The Ithorians were organized into herds, extended tribes connected by tradition and intermarriage.^[21]

Ithorian culture valued nature, handcrafting several spiritual objects. Ithorian totems were hand-carved from stone and marked an Ithorian's grave, giving it a deep spiritual meaning on Ithor. Ithorian Weather Chimes were handcrafted and prayed to for fertile soil and good weather for gardening.^[22]

History

The Ithorians, who worshiped Mother Jungle, long ago vowed to keep their homeworld of Ithor pristine. They moved their herds into great floating cities in the skies of Ithor, and eventually out into space.^[21]

Ithorians in the galaxy

Ithorians could be found spread across the galaxy on planets such as Coruscant^[23] and in at least one settlement on the planet Takobo, known as Hammertown.^[6] They could even be found in places almost completely devoid of vegetation such as Momaw Nadon's hidden garden on Tatooine.^[24] Though Ithorians were best known as peaceful horticulturists, many Ithorians put their gardening past behind them as they spread throughout the galaxy.^[22]

Multiple Ithorians could be found on the planet Tatooine.^[13]^[25] Momaw Nadon was an Ithorian male who was exiled off his homeworld for revealing the agricultural secrets of his species to the Galactic Empire in order to protect the planet. He would later live on the planet Tatooine and could often be seen in Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina in the city Mos Eisley.^[13] Mok Shaiz was an Ithorian male who served as mayor of the city Mos Espa on Tatooine during Boba Fett's takeover of Jabba's palace during the New Republic Era.^[25]

Dok-Ondar was a famous Ithorian collector who resided in Dok-Ondar's Den of Antiquities on the planet Batuu. At over 240 years old, Ondar was the most infamous resident of Black Spire Outpost, hosting a collection of rare and unique items.^[12] Multiple Ithorians were members of the Jedi Order including the Jedi Initiate Byph,^[3] Jedi Knight Mikkel Sutmani,^[26] and Jedi Roron Corobb.^[5]

Though Ithorians were stereotyped as peaceful gardeners and philosophers, not all Ithorians matched those descriptions. Bulduga and Onca were cunning Ithorian bounty hunters^[27]^[9] while Baron Boolan,^[28] who in his youth was a Little within the Path of the Open Hand cult,^[29] was an amoral scientist who became infamous^[28] and joined the Nihil at the invitation of Eye Marchion Ro himself,^[30] a descendant of Boolan's^[31] Path caretaker^[29] Marda Ro.^[31]