The Enigmatic Origins and Remarkable Traits of Ahsoka's Togruta Species Unveiled!

Summary

The Togruta, Ahsoka Tano's species, come from the planet Shili in the Expansion Region of the Star Wars galaxy, known for its beautiful landscapes.

Togrutas possess distinctive characteristics, including montrals (hollow horns utilized for echolocation) and lekku (head tails) that can exhibit a range of colors and increase in size as they age.

Despite resemblances, Togrutas are frequently misidentified as Twi'leks; however, they have notable dissimilarities in terms of lekku quantity and their primary biological purposes. Furthermore, the Star Wars universe encompasses numerous Togruta Jedi as well as significant Togruta characters.

Ahsoka Tano has become one of the most prominent characters in the Star Wars universe. However, little is known about her species, the Togruta. The Star Wars galaxy is filled with fascinating alien species such as Wookiees, Twi'leks, Gungans, Toydarians, and Ewoks, among others. Yet, Ahsoka's popularity has thrust the Togruta into the spotlight due to their rarity. In the Ahsoka novel by E.K. Johnston, Ahsoka herself acknowledges this, stating, "There aren't so many Togruta at large in the galaxy that I fit into a crowd."

Throughout the years, Star Wars has delved deeper into the history and culture of the Togruta, showcasing their origins in an episode of Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi that explores Ahsoka's early life prior to being discovered by the Jedi Order. Additionally, in season 4 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, a Togruta colony is depicted falling victim to Zygerrian slavers. For those seeking to learn more about the Togruta as a species, these animated Star Wars episodes provide an excellent starting point, but there is always more to uncover.

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The Togruta Come From The Galaxy's Expansion Region

The Togruta originate from Shili, a picturesque planet located in the Expansion Region. Ahsoka's birthplace was a quaint village nestled amidst towering mountains, breathtaking flora, and an abundance of diverse wildlife. Situated between the renowned Inner Rim, home to noteworthy worlds like Onderon and Jakku, and the Mid Rim, renowned for planets such as Naboo and Kashyyyk, the Expansion Region in the Star Wars galaxy has witnessed numerous conflicts, including the infamous Umbara Campaign.

Togruta Biology Explained - Their Hair, Lekku, & Montrals

Togruta's homeworld is Shili, but there is also a Togruta colony situated on the planet Kiros. Kiros, like Shili, is located in the Expansion Region and was inhabited by approximately 50,000 Togrutas during the Clone Wars era. While Shili boasts a landscape adorned with forests and mountains, Kiros is characterized by its abundance of mountains, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls. The architecture on Kiros, as observed in The Clone Wars season 4, mirrors the distinct shape of the Togrutas' montrals, resulting in captivating yet imposing structures. In contrast, Ahsoka's hometown on Shili is comprised of smaller houses constructed from clay, topped with roofs crafted from wooden shingles, seamlessly blending in with their natural surroundings.

The horns are the most prominent feature of Togrutas. Known as montrals, these cone-shaped horns start off as tiny stumps in Togruta children but grow taller as they age. Interestingly, the montrals are hollow inside and enable the Togrutas to detect the movement of objects using echolocation. Togruta montrals and head tails always have stripes, but the color combinations can vary greatly, with some resembling the iconic white and blue stripes of characters like Ahsoka in Star Wars.

The lekku of the Togruta, also known as their head tails, grow at a consistent rate from their montrals. Each Togruta has three lekku: two in the front, draping over their chest, and one in the back, originating from the base of their skull. When fully matured, the lekku can extend down to their waist, although the male Togruta's lekku tend to be shorter compared to the females. Ahsoka's lekku have gained recognition as one of her most prominent features, and significant effort has been made to recreate them in live-action adaptations.

Since the Togruta rely on montrals and lekku rather than hair, Togruta Jedi are unable to have a traditional Padawan braid. Instead, as exemplified by Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, species like the Togruta and the Twi'leks wear "braids" crafted from silka beads. These decorative beaded chains are worn by certain alien species undergoing Jedi training to signify their status as Padawans.

The Togruta’s skin tone can have just as much variation as the color of their montrals and lekku. While Ahsoka’s skin tone is tinted with orange, canon Togrutas can also have white, blue, yellow, brown, and purple tones. Additionally, the distinctive facial markings of the Togruta change over time. For example, when Ahsoka is born, she has four white dots on her face, which later transform into her unique pattern.

Togruta Are Often Confused With Twi'leks - Here's How They're Different

The lekku of the Togrutas are renowned, just as the Twi’leks are known for theirs, although both species are distinct. While Togrutas possess three lekku, Twi’leks typically have two, and in some exceptionally rare instances, four. Unlike Togrutas, whose montrals serve as the main biological function, Twi’leks utilize their lekku for multiple purposes. Some exceptionally sensitive lekku can be employed for grasping objects and are responsive to touch. Additionally, Twi’leks incorporate their lekku into their own version of sign language. In terms of appearance, Twi’leks are more humanoid compared to the average Togruta, particularly in terms of their facial features. Furthermore, Twi’leks exhibit a wide range of skin tones, including blue, yellow, green, purple, orange, teal, and more.

Ahsoka Isn't The Only Togruta Jedi

Unlike the Togrutas, the Twi'leks are widely known as one of the most common species in the galaxy, originating from the planet Ryloth. This arid planet can be found in the Outer Rim, in close proximity to Tatooine. Prominent Twi'leks include Hera Syndulla, a respected Rebel general and skilled pilot, Bib Fortuna, the trusted majordomo of Jabba the Hutt, Aayla Secura, a Jedi from the prequel era, and Loden Greatstorm, a Jedi of the High Republic Era.

In addition to Ahsoka, another notable Togruta Jedi is Shaak Ti. Shaak Ti, a female Togruta, first appeared in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. She was a wise and compassionate Jedi Master who served on the Jedi Council. During the Clone Wars, Shaak Ti played a crucial role in training clone cadets on the planet Kamino. Unfortunately, Shaak Ti met a tragic fate multiple times, ultimately meeting her end at the hands of the newly anointed Darth Vader during Order 66 at the Jedi Temple. This event was vividly depicted in Yoda's Force vision on the planet Dagobah.

Other Important Togruta In Star Wars

During the final stages of the Clone Wars, a young female Togruta by the name of Ashla was undergoing training as a youngling at the Jedi Temple. Moving forward to the prosperous age known as the High Republic Era, Jedi Master Jora Malli held dual roles as a commander at the Starlight Beacon space station and as a member of the esteemed Jedi High Council. Throughout the Old Republic, which still remains a topic of debate in terms of its canonical status, there existed a notable presence of Togruta Jedi, including notable individuals such as Raana Tey and Ashara Zavros.

In addition to Jedi, Star Wars also features other significant Togruta characters. One notable example is Governor Roshti, who led the Togruta colony on Kiros during the Clone Wars. Another prominent Togruta figure is Elarec Yovet, who served as a Queen and Regasa (the ruler of the Togruta government) for Shili during the High Republic Era. In 40 BBY, Kirames Kaj, a Togruta, held the esteemed position of Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic. Furthermore, after the Battle of Endor, Auxi Kray Korbin, also a Togruta, served as an adviser to Mon Mothma. Although the Togruta may not be as numerous as humans and Twi'leks in the Star Wars universe, they have unquestionably made a significant impact on the history of the galaxy and the Jedi Order.