Taung

The Taung were an ancient species of Humanoid simians. Indigenous to the galactic Core world of Coruscant, the two-meter-tall, gray-skinned Taungs were warriors from youth, and viewed battle as source of honor both for the individual and their gods. Famous for their struggles against the Human Battalions of Zhell—prehistoric Coruscant's other major power—the Taung waged war against their enemies for hundreds of years. When a powerful volcano erupted and devastated the Zhell, spewing ash into the sky with such density it blocked out the light of Coruscant's sun, the Taung labeled themselves the "Warriors of the Shadow", or Dha Werda Verda in their language. Despite their loss, the Zhell eventually managed to drive the Taung from Coruscant, and the defeated Taung fled to the planet Roon, located in the Outer Rim. There they remained for millennia, until legendary Mandalore the First led the Taung to conquer a new world which they named Mandalore in honor of their leader, and the Taung subsequently recast themselves as the Mandalorians or Mando'ade—"Sons and Daughters of Mandalore".

As the newly entitled Mandalorians, the Taung set out to conquer the worlds around their new home, their nomadic nature and worship of war driving them outward as they increased their territory. Under the rule of Mandalore the Indomitable, another Taung warlord following in the leadership tradition established by Mandalore the First, the Taung take in beings of other species into their culture, transforming what it meant to be Mandalorian forever after. This acceptance of other beings peaked during the Mandalorian Wars, when Mandalore the Ultimate led the Mandalorians on a campaign against the forces of the Galactic Republic. Though initially victorious, the intervention of the Jedi Knight Revan and his loyal followers turned the tide against the Mandalorians, culminating with the devastation of Malachor V. The Taung race had suffered heavy losses during the war, and by its end, were generally believed to have drifted into extinction.

Biology and appearance
A Humanoid species, the Taung were a bipedal simian race. Gray-skinned and yellow-eyed, Taungs were typically tall and strong. On average, Taung reached a height of two meters, and weighed around ninety-five kilograms. Physically, Taungs were extremely resilient, and could endure hardships many other species were unable to. Their five fingers were tipped with sharp claws, and bony ridges adorned the top of their skulls. Taung lifespans were known to reach and occasionally exceed eighty-five years; considered children until the age of six, Taung attained adulthood when they turned thirteen, passed through middle age between the years of forty-six and sixty-four, and were viewed as elderly beyond the age of sixty-five. Galactic historical records document no known instances of Taungs with a sensitivity to the Force.

Society and culture
Taung society was nomadic and clan-based. Veterans of successful campaigns were honored, and looked upon with reverence. These battle-tested elders became chieftains, de facto leaders of their clan and community; higher authority came only from the Mand'alor, a title that meant "Sole Ruler" in the Taung language, and a role that continued the tradition established by Mandalore the First, embodying a single leader of all the warrior clans. These aspects continued on throughout later Mandalorian culture long after the Taung themselves had passed from the galaxy. Pragmatism and ruthlessness were common traits among the Taung, matched only by their loyalty their clan kinsmen. Their practical nature was reflected in their naming practices, typically choosing names that corresponded to desirable traits, including such examples as Atin, Kot, and Tor—meaning "persistent", "strength", and "justice", respectively.

History
The Taungs and the thirteen native Human nations, the Battalions of Zhell, eventually battled for control of Coruscant. Though the Zhell were nearly exterminated in a volcanic explosion, through cunning, and guile they managed to drive the Taungs from Coruscant. On a side note, Due to the two years of darkness caused by the ash, the Taungs nicknamed themselves the Warriors of the Shadow (Dha Werda Verda).

The Taungs, under the leadership of the legendary Mandalore the First, eventually conquered another world which they renamed in honor of their leader, Mandalore. The species as a whole then also took the name, becoming the Mandalorians (or Mando'ade in their native Mando'a). An offshoot of priestly sisterhood of Taung following the defeat also splintered from the main body where they travelled into the Unknown Regions where they sought atonement through meditation and insight. This group became one of the three founding beliefs that influenced the Sorcerers of Rhand.

The Taungs eventually became extinct, which many attributed to the destructive Mandalorian Wars. But the Taung legacy remained, resulting in the epic poem Dha Werda Verda being included in traditional Mandalorian lore.

Much like the Sith species which gave rise to the Sith Order, the name "Mandalorian" became associated with a multi-species culture of warrior clans, who, regardless of species, adhered to the tenets of the Mandalorians. These Mandalorians, who were mostly baseline Humans, held the legacy of the Taungs in high regard.

Appearances

 * Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 8: Flashpoint, Part 2
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 15: Days of Fear, Part 3
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 19: Daze of Hate, Part 1
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 20: Daze of Hate, Part 2
 * Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 21: Daze of Hate, Part 3
 * Star Wars: The Old Republic
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero
 * Republic Commando: Triple Zero