Mandalore (title)

Mandalore was the Basic transliteration of the title used by the supreme leader of the Mandalorian people and culture. In its truest, native rendering as Mand'alor, the title meant "sole ruler" in the Mandalorian language of Mando'a. Originating with Mandalore the First, the mythic leader of the Taung warriors who went on to become the first Mandalorians, Mand'alor became the title passed down for use by the subsequent leaders of the people for generations after. Functioning as a combination of both king and warrior general, the Mand'alor was the closest to a head of state the widespread Mandalorian clans possessed, and in addition to holding the secondary title of Al'Ori'Ramikade—"Commander of Supercommandos"—Mand'alor was the de facto ruler of the Mandalorians' conquered home planet, the eponymous Outer Rim world of Mandalore. Outsiders to the Mandalorian culture often respectfully addressed the Mandalorian leader as Lord Mandalore. The importance of the Mand'alor was reflected in the six tenets that outlined Mandalorian culture, the Resol'nare, one of which dictated that a Mandalorian rally to the Mand'alor when called upon.

For years, the position of Mand'alor was traditionally symbolized by the passing of the mask of Mandalore upon the death of the previous owner, but in later times this custom had faded into antiquity, and new Mandalores needed only the support of the people to ascend to the role. Numerous Mandalores also took to adapting descriptive epithets, in order to distinguish themselves from those who came before and after. Following the foundation of the New Mandalorians, the pacifist sect rejected the authority of the clan-chosen Mandalores, and instead appointed their own leaders in opposition to those who ruled the warrior clans. The Death Watch, in turn, appointed their own Secret Mandalores in opposition to both the New Mandalorians and the unaffiliated warrior clans. During this period of social division in the Mandalorian culture, the traditionally chosen Mand'alor of the clans became known as the "True Mandalore", as a means of countering the claims of the New Mandalorian and Death Watch leaders. Throughout the history of the galaxy, at least twenty-three Mandalorians declared themselves Mand'alor, and met with varied degrees of success in their attempts to lead the Mandalorian people.

Description

The title of Mandalore was the Galactic Basic Standard transliteration of the Mando'a word Mand'alor, which meant "sole ruler" in the Mandalorian language. The position of Mand'alor was a combination of king, warlord, and general in function, often carrying with it the additional title of Al'Ori'Ramikade, "Commander of Supercommandos." A non-hereditary role, only a Mandalorian deemed worthy could claim the title of Mand'alor, exemplifying the Mandalorian meritocracy ideal. When the previous Mandalore fell or stepped down, a Mandalorian with both vision and strength could make a claim for the title, but if the other clans did not accept the individual as the new Mand'alor and recognize their authority, their duty was to remove the unsuitable claimant and institute a more favorable leader. The significance of the Mand'alor's role in Mandalorian society was so great that one of the Resol'nare—the six basic tenets that defined Mandalorian culture—detailed the importance of loyalty toward the Mand'alor, and rallying to the Mandalorian leader when called upon.

Mandalores

Mandalore the Indomitable

Mandalore the Indomitable

"My warriors need another crusade. The Empress Teta system is in chaos, overstretched by their many conquests. The witch Aleema and her Jedi devotee Ulic Qel-Droma will fall under the fist of Mandalore!"

―Mandalore the Indomitable

In 3996 BBY, Mandalore the Indomitable set his sights on the Empress Teta system, only to run afoul of the fallen Jedi Ulic Qel-Droma, leading an army of the dark side-worshipping Krath cultists. Mandalore and Qel-Droma engaged in single combat on the planet Kuar, where the recently ordained Sith apprentice managed to overcome the Mandalorian leader. Defeated, Mandalore the Indomitable pledged his loyalty and that of his forces to Qel-Droma, drawing the Mandalorians into the growing Great Sith War. Loyal to his new liege, the Mand'alor aided Qel-Droma and the Sith in taking the shipyards of Foerost, and led his warriors in an attack on Coruscant itself. When Qel-Droma was captured by the Jedi during the course of the Coruscant invasion, Mandalore the Indomitable allied with Qel-Droma's Sith Master, Exar Kun, in order to free him.

Impressed with the loyalty Mand'alor displayed in freeing him from his captors, Qel-Droma assigned Mandalore the Indomitable and his warriors with the capture of the Republic aligned planet, Onderon. The Mandalorians rained down on the Onderon city of Iziz atop Basilisk war droids, but the combined resistance of Onderon's Beast Riders and the warships of the Republic proved too much for Mandalore the Indomitable and his forces. While ordering a retreat to Onderon's moon, Dxun, where Mandalore intended to lose their beast-riding pursuers, the Mand'alor's war droid was shot down on the hostile moon. Emerging from the remains of his Basilisk mount, Mandalore the Indomitable soon found himself surrounded by a number of dangerous beasts native to Dxun's jungles. Despite his attempts to fight off the creatures, they eventually managed to overcome and kill the Mandalorian leader. While seeking out their downed leader, one of Mandalore the Indomitable's followers came upon the mask of Mandalore, and claimed it and the title for himself.

Mandalore the Ultimate

"Now I am the new Mandalore!"

―Mandalore the Ultimate

Boba Fett

Boba Fett

Behind the scenes

The title and position of Mandalore first appeared in Star Wars canon with the character of Mandalore—only later distinguished as Mandalore the Indomitable—in the Tales of the Jedi — The Sith War comic book series by author Kevin J. Anderson, published from August 1, 1995 to January 1, 1996.

Appearances

• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 1 (First appearance)
• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 2
• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 3
• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 4
• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 5 (Mentioned only)
• Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War 6
• Star Wars: Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II