Klatooinian/Legends

Klatooinians were a humanoid species from the planet Klatooine, located in the Si'Klaata Cluster. For most of their history, they were closely associated with the Hutts, as criminal henchmen, soldiers, and slaves. By the time of the Galactic Civil War, however, some Klatooinians began to break away from their servitude.

Klatooinian civilization was notable for its strong belief in tradition and the wisdom of elders. The center of their culture was the Fountain of Ancients, a slowly evolving natural glass sculpture on Klatooine. Long before the formation of the Galactic Republic, primitive Klatooinians discovered the Fountain, and revered it as a symbol of patience, tenacity, and the idea of strength coming from age. Their society was ruled by a Council of Elders, who granted young Klatooinians few rights. Klatoonians were taught the myths and traditions of their people from a young age, in a process which tended to supress individuality. At the age of ten, they would be sold into servitude, with the most rebellious youths sent into the harshest conditions.

When the Hutts were waging a war against Xim the Despot circa 25,100 BBY, they looked for help on some of the planets in the Si'Klaata Cluster. Hutt envoys asked Klatooinians to become part of their army. Klatooinians thought of it as a sacred war, and Barada M'Beg signed a treaty promising that Klatooinians would be slaves of the Hutts forever. After the defeat of Xim at the Third Battle of Vontor, Klatooinians continued to serve the Hutts under the terms of the Treaty of Vontor. Most of their children were named Barada or M'Beg to honor Barada M'Beg.

The Klatooinians revered the Hutts, whose natural lifespan spanned several centuries, as near-gods &mdash; possibly even the Ancients of Klatooinian myth. In fact, the Fountain of Ancients was renamed the Fountain of Hutt Ancients. Under Hutt rule, the Klatooinian elders were allowed to rule Klatooine, but all off-world concerns, such as the infamous Klatooinian Trade Guild, were wholly under Hutt control.

Despite being vassals of the Hutts, some Klatooinians served the Galactic Republic as part of the Jedi Order. Three Klatooinian Jedi, Tarados Gon, Sta-Den Eekin, and Galdos Stouff were killed at the Battle of Geonosis.

During the Galactic Civil War, many young Klatooinians were inspired by the Rebel Alliance's message of freedom, and such Rebel victories as Battle of Yavin. Many young Klatooinians turned their back on tradition and rebelled against their former masters, sometimes joining up with smugglers, pirates, or rival criminal organizations. Some remained on their homeworld, hiding in the wilderness. A few, such as the technologist Rolanda Gron, managed to join the Rebellion themselves.

Most Klatooinians, however, remained servants of the Hutts, working for the Klatooinian Trade Guild or various Hutt kajidics. Indeed, their servitude continued well into the time of the New Republic. Jabba the Hutt had several Klatooinians in his employ, including Barada, the chief mechanic on Khetanna, and Umpass-stay, his bodyguard, spy, and drummer.

Behind the scenes
The names "Klatooinian" and "Barada" come from the phrase Klaatu barada nikto, a quote from The Day the Earth Stood Still. Nikto comes from the same source.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Tales from Jabba's Palace
 * Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
 * Dark Forces: Rebel Agent
 * Force Heretic III: Reunion