The Star Wars universe is an old one and many societies have been aware of each other for
millennia, trading technologies and cultures leading to a large suffusion of styles. One
thing that still stands out as unmistakably Mandalorian however, is the sight of a full
suit of Mandalore armour. Hi, Ric here and today we’re looking into the culture of
the Mando’ade, known to the galaxy at large as some of the fiercest warriors in the Galaxy.
This video will be looking mostly into the canon history of this culture as opposed to
its ancient times or legends material, but I will include some minor legends materials
to flesh out some unexplored areas. First distinction to make, the Mandalorians likely
were originally a single species however they adopted newer members overtime and in the
contemporary Star Wars galaxy they have become a multispecies organization, sharing beliefs
and a creed. The majority of the species are human, or near human, but others are welcome.
So, one joins the Mandalorians in one of two ways. They are either born into the culture
from parents within the clans or adopted as a “foundling” or a young outsider, usually
orphaned, that was bought into the fold. Despite this fairly consistent method of recruitment,
the actual governance of the Mandalorian people has undergone several radical shifts in the
last few decades. The homeworld of the Mando’ade is appropriately
named Mandalore. The planet is located in Mandalorian space, a not insubstantial area
in the outer rim. The world as it is now is rather barren and desolate, having been subjected
to the ravages of numerous battles and most of its ecosystem has been destroyed leaving
behind a barely breathable atmosphere and expansive desert plains. The populous reside
in sealed cities of geometric cubic designs. The planet had a single unique export that
for a long time was the backbone of the Mandalorian’s success and business that was Beskar, also
known as Mandalorian Iron, a rare material found nowhere else in the galaxy, so far.
So just a quick background on their origin, it seems likely that they originated from
a species known as the Taung in the early years of history. Whoever the original founders,
the Mandalorian culture is one based on conflict and martial skill as an individual and a society.
The earliest Mandalorians earned respect throughout the galaxy as a warrior caste, often in their
opposition to the Jedi. Their culture existed before the Old Republic
and their expansion into the surrounding systems of Mandalore began in this era. At the time,
they were known as the Crusaders and seized several planets to which they still own going
into the time of the Galactic Empire. Their pressing into the Inner Rim however, brought
them into conflict wit the Jedi order as they attempted to restore peace to these systems.
The conflict with the Jedi taught the Mandalorians to become even more resourceful as this was
their first clash with an order who wielded the Force in combat. Their success in countering
the Jedi is what led to the construction of numerous Mandalorian staples such as the Jetpack
and Flamethrower. The jetpack was in answer to the advanced mobility of the Jedi as was
the grappler cable and the flamethrower was in answer to the lightsabre as a torrent of
flame cannot be deflected like blaster bolts. Their biggest answer to the Jedi was their
Beskar Armour which was a material even resistant to the burning of a lightsabre strike. Their
success against the Jedi, for a non-force sensitive army did much to bolster their reputation.
The Mandalorian people too remembered the conflicts and often were the subject of artwork
and stories, a point of pride for the people. And still a source of some anti-Jedi resentment.
The Mandalorians are divided first up into families related by blood and the foundlings,
it’s also worth noting that a Foundling could be returned to its people if it did
not pursue the Mandalorian lifestyle. These families are then grouped into clans each
of which supports an emblem of their own, often based on a kill or some badge of achievement
and had an appointed head. An alliance of these clans is grouped into a House of which
operates on a greater level and for the most part operates independently. In later times
in their history, these groupings were considered more of a faction such as “Deathwatch”
during the time of Clone Wars. The head of one of these factions was often considered
a “Warlord” though this title also changed with the passage of time. Especially during
the pre-clone wars era when such leaders often occupied political seats.
In recurring times throughout their history, the Mandalorians have unified under a single
ruler, a leader with a vision for the whole people who adopts the name Mandalore, in honour
of their founder and homeworld. This leader unifies the Houses and sets the direction
and creed for the entire culture in these times and adopts a pseudonym based on a quality
of their leadership direction. This sort of singular leadership rose several
times throughout their history with individuals such as Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian
Jedi who forged the Dark Sabre which itself became a symbol of leadership among the clans.
He too, much like the conflicts with the Jedi was immortalized in Mandalorian lore, despite
his former position within the Jedi Order. You see, the Mandalorian belief system that
unifies them all is the belief in a central code. The general idea behind it is that conflict
is good. Strife and turmoil build character by forcing you to address weakness or die,
a very survival of the fittest mentality, while this might sound harsh, for it was,
it was not an evil belief by itself. They celebrated anything that made them stronger,
more efficient and better warriors while distancing themselves from things that would weaken the
Mandalorian legacy. This is why they can celebrate both the conflict with the Jedi, for it forged
them into the resourceful warriors that are still known as, yet one of their most famous
leaders was a Jedi, because his work helped unify his people.
This legacy focusing on battle to hone their edge aligned closely with the philosophy of
the Sith, well… more so than the Jedi’s pursuit of stability and peace, and the two
cultures were frequent allies. Their relentless pursuit of warfare however was a double-edged
blade. While it did forge their capabilities as warriors, it resulted in numerous Mandalorian
deaths and constant skirmishing among the factions, especially in times where there
was no unifying leader, no Mand’alor to direct their might. Warlords emerged among
the clans, creating their own factions based on their own interpretation of the Mandalorian
Code and eventually even their home planet of Mandalore was rendered even more inhospitable
by numerous battles between themselves, the Jedi and other powers.
Out of necessity, some Mandalorians began to construct environmentally controlled cities
on Mandalore to allow themselves to survive their damaged world. Again, many chose an
option to weather the storm and adapt, rather than take the easier option of colonising
a new world, though some did, such as the Wren Clan. Once secured in their new way of
life, they once again began looking to challenge themselves, but finding the Galaxy in a relative
state of peace with the formation of the Galactic Republic, a Civil War erupted in earnest among
the Mandalorians with those who sought to continue their traditional ways against those
who wished to embrace their newfound peaceful lifestyle.
The New Mandalorians won this conflict and ideals of pacifism and neutrality began to
spread among the people, sentiments directly in opposition to the Mandalorian Code although
the people did prosper. The government of Mandalore began to resemble those of the core
worlds with Banking Centres, Academies, Hospitals and commerce booming more than ever. However,
this age too would not last, as with assassination of the Duchess Satine Kryze, head of the New
Mandalorian Ruling Council, Mandalore saw a return to the combative ways of their past.
Mandalore was eventually occupied by the Galactic Empire and split once again into factions
that served the Empire and those who rebelled against it. These events culminated in a Great
Purge against Mandalore. However, With the fall of the Empire at the Battle of Endor,
the fractured Mandalorian people seemed to take a step back from galactic stage. With
no singular leader, the clans retreated into hiding but continued to practice their unique
traditions and ply their trade when and where they could.
Speaking of unique beliefs, it does seem the certain clans did have their own amendments
and interpretations to the Code with some clans forbidding the reveal of a Mandalorian’s
face in public as it meant the end of their adherence to the code. While other clans were
far less strict with its interpretations but for others, this was their way.
Mandalorian culture placed great reverence on personal and clan achievements with victories
celebrated as a strengthening of the clan and while a practical people for the most
part, their adherence to the way was often steeped in tradition and a near ritual-like
respect. For example, within the Tribe, an underground clan of Mandalorians existing
around 9 ABY, the position of Armourer was a venerated one as a symbol of their heritage.
Beskar, the traditional metal of the Mandalorian Armour had long been strip mined and seized
from Mandalore by the Galactic Empire so the recovery of it was considered a retrieval
of who they had been before the Purge and in some way, a step closer to restoring their
legacy. So, the position of one who worked the material may have grown in significance
and adopted greater symbolism, although the secrets to forging Beskar were always theirs
alone. The recycling of their armour materials was not only pragmatic one in saving the rare
Beskar, but also symbolic of continuing their tradition. For example, the armour worn by
Sabine Wren had been reforged to fit her build, but its components and materials were well
over 500 years old made from previous recycled armour.
If Warfare was their religion, then arms and armour were their talismans and maintained
and treated with respect and care. Alongside the armour, which was worn for any
occasion, a Mandalorian would often adorn and personalise their gear. Colouring the
armour with alloyed metals or simply painting designs onto it was a common sight to differentiate
the members of a clan. Variations to the design were often incorporated, such as bulkier gear
for those who preferred a more direct confrontation, horns and inlayed etchings were a common variance
too. They would also adorn their gear with capes, furs or other trophies and accessories
for purpose or simply style and many bore the crest of their clan. The crest itself
was a design inspired by an honourable achievement in that Clan’s history.
What usually remained however was the T shaped visor and the hexagonal cut-out in the breastplate
to mark it as distinctly Mandalorian as well as the symbol of a Mythosaur skull, a long
extinct mount of the Mandalorians. These motifs were associated with the Mandalorian culture
and maintained by them as markers of their heritage and reputation. This did also lead
to copycats being easily able to replicate the look of Mandalorian armour without ever
being officially adopted into the culture. The design even inspired the Clone Soldiers
of the Republic from the designs of Jango Fett.
The Mandalorian code has really been the only constant among their people, defining and
shaping their culture as time progressed. The very fact that they seek out strife is
what allowed them to become the legendary figures in the galaxy that they are today,
even if the struggle has cost them. This contributed to their frequent roles as Bounty Hunters
and Mercenaries on the galactic scene and were considered among the best soldiers around,
in any time frame. Their clan like factions have unified under a single leader, fractured
into warlord led divisions, wared amongst themselves and others, been allies of the
Sith and occasionally Jedi and even tried their hand at playing pacifist, spawning a
whole generational subculture within Mandalore. Operating on both sides of the law for thousands
of years, this culture has endured. Of course, it helps that although their code of conduct
demands strength through adversity, it seldom dictates how, which enables the culture to
adapt and survive even in the face of impossible odds.
Thanks for watching this index on the Mandalorians, a fan favourite culture and one seeing a recent
rise in popularity. (Maybe it has something to do with the Damn awesome TV show) There’s
plenty more detail about them from the clone wars and rebellion era but that’s all chronicled
in the two animated series and much of their earlier lore is still relegated to vague legends
material, here’s hoping more gets canonised in time.
So I’ve already collected a lot of information on the Witches of Dathomir so let’s put
them up as an option for next index alongside Star Trek’s alien military might, the Jem’Hadar
rounding out the Dominion races. Votes will be over on the community tab and until the
next video, thanks for watching, I’ll see you next time, and goodbye!