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| Banthas | |
| Notable appearances: | Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope |
| 1st appearance: | Star Wars (1977) |
Banthas are domesticated herd animals featured in the Star Wars franchise. They were first seen in the original 1977 film Star Wars. Only one Bantha was featured in the film and was "played" by an elephant named Mardji who wore a Bantha costume draped across her body. Mardji's feet can be briefly seen in the film. Addtional Banthas were included in the 1997 Special Edition release of the film and were rendered using computer generated technology. A herd of Banthas can be seen walking across the Dune Sea.
Banthas are indiginous to the planet Tatooine and are most commonly used as mounts and beasts of burden for Tusken Raiders. Tusken Raiders share a special bond with their Bantha and hold the creatures in great reverence.
A group of Banthas attacked Luke Skywalker and Biggs Darklighter in Beggar's Canyon. Biggs was injured and Luke had to take him back home in his T-16 Skyhopper. [1]
In 0 BBY, a Tusken Raider named URoRRuR'R'R and two others were traveling across the Jundland Wastes when they came upon Luke Skywalker. URoRRuR'R'R attacked Skywalker, but was inclined to flee when a man named Obi-Wan Kenobi appeared, imitating the howl of a fearsome Krayt dragon. The raiders mounted their Banthas and left the area. [2]
Following the Battle of Yavin, a Bantha was seen on the Outer Rim world of Aduba-3. A Verpine priest was using the Bantha to pull a funerary travois across the desert to Spacers' Hill. A group of locals took umbrage over the idea of a cyborg being buried in such a revered place and attacked the Verpine. During the scuffle, the Bantha was killed. [3]
Notes & Trivia[]
- A reference to Banthas is made in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. Before sentencing the heroes to a gruesome death, Jabba the Hutt tells them in Huttese, "You are now Bantha fodder", which in his native tongue translates as Bantha poodoo. Bantha poodoo is a common vulgar expletive used amongst the denizens of Tatooine.