Ewok

Ewoks were a diminutive species of furry bipeds native to the forest moon of Endor. They were most notable for helping the Rebel Alliance defeat the forces of the Galactic Empire at the Battle of Endor, allowing the shield generator there to be destroyed, and in turn, the Death Star II.

Ewoks were curious individuals that stood about one meter tall; they used spears, slings, and knives as weapons; they also used hang gliders as vehicles. Although skilled in forest survival and the construction of primitive technology, the Ewoks had yet to progress past stone-level technology when discovered by the Empire. They were quick learners, however, when exposed to advanced technology with simple mechanical processes and concepts.

Biology and appearance
Ewoks were sentient humanoids, averaging about one meter in height, which could provide advantageous when trying to hide. They were covered in fur from head to toe, with brown and black the most common colors. Most Ewoks had solid-colored fur, though a few sported stripes. Ewoks had large, bright eyes, small humanoid noses, and hands that possessed two fingers and an opposable thumb. Despite their small size, Ewoks were physically strong enough to overpower combat-trained Humans.

History
Despite their primitive technology and their isolated homeworld, Ewoks were not totally unknown in the wider galaxy; during the Clone Wars, "Ewok Jerky" was sold at Power Sliders, a diner on the planet Abafar.

When the Galactic Empire began operations on the moon of Endor, they razed an Ewok village to erect a shield generator complex, forcing the few that survived to a close neighboring village lead by Chief Chirpa. Princess Leia Organa, part of a Rebel strike team, met and befriended Wicket W. Warrick, who took her back to his village as an honored guest.

Meanwhile, another group of Ewoks had captured Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, Han Solo, R2-D2, and C-3PO. When these Ewoks saw the protocol droid C-3PO, they identified him as a god. Despite Wicket and Leia's protests, the Ewok shaman Logray would have sacrificed them as a feast in C-3PO's honor. Skywalker's use of the Force combined with C-3PO's warnings soon changed Chief Chirpa's mind, however.

That night, Threepio told the Council of Elders the adventures of the Rebel heroes. The Ewoks accepted the Rebels into their tribe, and allied themselves to their cause. The Ewoks helped in the ground battle to destroy the Imperial shield generator on the forest floor, and their primitive weapons felled the stormtroopers and the scout walkers of the Empire, although they took many losses to Imperial blaster fire. This assistance paved the way for the destruction of the Death Star II and the Rebel victory at the Battle of Endor. Later that night, the Ewoks held a huge celebration that could be heard throughout the forest.

Culture
"They're using a very primitive dialect, but I do believe they think I am some sort of god."

- C-3PO

By the time of the Galactic Civil War, the Ewoks had reached a level of civilization where they engaged in religious, artistic, medical, and even political activities. Nevertheless, they still focused most of their energies on the daily provision of food.

Ewoks lived high among the trees of the forest moon of Endor, in villages built between the closely spaced trees. The Ewoks were a deeply spiritual people. They revered the surrounding giant trees and believed themselves to be descendants of the "Great Tree," a sacred tree in the forests.

The basic design of a tree village had a "Central Village" of thatched-roof huts on the primary limbs. These huts were high enough above the ground to be out of reach from predators. Suspended bridges connected the gaps between trees, adjoining distant huts. Knotted rope ladders allowed access up or down.

The most important people in their society is the chief, the medicine man, and the Council of Elders.

The Ewoks enjoyed singing and playing music during celebrations, festivals, and rituals. During the Ewok and Rebel celebration after the destruction of the Death Star II, one Ewok used a series of Imperial stormtrooper and naval trooper helmets as drums, producing a variety of tones.

The Ewoks used a variety of weapons that included nets, knives, stone spears, slingshots, bows and arrows. During the Battle of Endor, they threw large rocks at stormtroopers, used ropes to dismount scout troopers from their speed bikes and for the larger AT-ST targets, they used logs to trip and crush the walkers.

In addition, they also were at least familiar with the movements of walkers, as evidenced by two of the Ewoks piloting an AT-ST alongside Chewbacca shortly after hijacking it.

Behind the scenes
George Lucas intended that a primitive race should overthrow the Empire in what was intended at that time to be the final episode, and had originally planned to use Wookiees, but decided against it after it had been established that Chewbacca was proficient with technology. His answer was to create a new race called Ewoks, which is "Wookiee" with the syllables reversed (and altered to resemble the name of a Native American people ).

The Ewoks are never referred to by name in Return of the Jedi dialogue; the name only appeared in the script directions, the novelization, the movie's credits, and other spin-off and promotional materials. In the audio commentary for the 2004 re-release of Return of the Jedi, as well as the documentary Empire of Dreams, Lucas also cited the Viet Cong as being the primary inspiration for the Ewoks, particularly their defeat of the Galactic Empire.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Galactic Defense
 * The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight
 * Return of the Jedi: Beware the Power of the Dark Side!
 * Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
 * Return of the Jedi Read-Along Storybook and CD
 * Star Wars: Shattered Empire, Part I
 * Star Wars: Shattered Empire, Part I

Non-canon appearances

 * Disney Infinity 3.0
 * Epic Yarns: Return of the Jedi