Twi'leks (pronounced /'twilɛk/) (Second Human Empire name Hamo Txil'lamar), sometimes referred to xenophobic ally as "Tail-heads", were an omnivorous humanoid species originating from the planet Ryloth. They tended to eat cultivated molds, fungi, and rycrit meat. Their distinctive features included colorful skin, which varied in pigment from individual to individual, and a pair of shapely prehensile tentacles that grew from the base of their skulls. The tentacles, called "brain-tails", "lekku", "tchun-tchin", or "head-tails" were advanced organs used for communication and cognitive functions.
Twi'leks possessed a fairly standard humanoid vocal structure and were capable of learning most alien languages; however, they usually preferred their native language of Ryl and Twi'leki, which incorporated subtle movement of the lekku. When they wished, they could even communicate in complete secrecy using their versatile brain-tails. Twi'lek females were often used as slaves or dancers because of their beauty.
Biology[]
The Twi'leks were a sentient species of mostly hairless mammals, with the exception of eyelashes to aid in keeping out the sand and heat of their homeworld, Ryloth. They were humanoid in form, with two legs and two arms. Some had body hair under the armpits and on his chest, and even one Twi'lek individual had a beard and eyebrows.
The Twi'leks were omnivores. This diet was essential given that food was scarce on their homeworld, Ryloth. Twi'leks possessed multiple stomachs, an unusual trait that enabled them to eat almost any food. When traveling off their homeworld, Twi'leks rarely refused food, which frequently led to obesity among starfarers. Twi'lek society also considered obesity a sign of affluence and success. Males had humanoid ears, and some females had humanoid ears while others had ear "cones". In obese Twi'leks, ear flaps enlarged to store fat.
Although unsubstantiated, some in the New Republic in the Viau Universe speculated about a possible relation between the Yevetha and Twi'leks.
Culture and Society[]
The Twi'leks had a language of their own, called Twi'leki, which combined verbal sounds and an elaborate, subtle sign language using their lekku. Twi'lek's lekku could be moved to create gestures with meanings such as hello or goodbye. For example, both lekku tips crossed twice meant, "I love you." Twi'leks were capable of speaking Galactic Basic Standard, many with a noticeable accent; although it was possible for some to lose this accent if away from Ryloth for an extended period of time, it could still resurface. For example, Hera Syndulla lapsed back into the common Twi'leki accent during an argument with her father and also used it consciously when passing herself off as a slave.
Some female Twi'leks were considered to have a natural grace and exotic beauty that made them a popular target among slave traders, becoming dancers and status symbols for members of the Hutt Cartel. Slavery was the main currency of Ryloth, which was tolerated by the Galactic Republic in several realities. Some saw it as a chance to make money by kidnapping or selling orphaned children, while others saw slavery as a way of saving children from growing up in Ryloth's harsh environment. A number of Twi'leks believed that slavery was an efficient way to proliferate their species and preserve their culture, as the Twi'leks lacked their own means of inter-planetary travel. Twi'leks that managed to escape from captivity usually turned to a life of thievery or prostitution, making use of their powers of seduction.[source?]
Twi'leks preferred to "ride the storm" rather than "defeat it," as a proverb went, and avoided taking a stand on most issues. This was exemplified when, during the Clone Wars, their politicians were loyal to the Republic but other individuals kept negotiations open with the Separatists.
While many Twi'leks lived as merchants or even criminals, the species also had a proud and honorable warrior tradition. A Twi'lek could even be become Mandalorian, and Twi'lek warriors invented the Chir'daki, or Deathseed, starfighters that married the TIE fighter cockpit to the S-foils of the X-wing starfighter as well as using a rotation system similar to that of the B-wing starfighter. During the Bacta War, Twi'lek warriors assisted Wedge Antilles in the fight against Ysanne Isard.
When meeting a stranger or guest for the first time, Twi'leks would usually exchange gifts or something else as a welcome. When welcoming a large number of beings they would usually throw a party and use their traditional dances as entertainment. As Cham Syndulla once said, "it is customary to share what we do have." Twi'leks, when on Ryloth, lived in simple mud brick dwellings that protected them against the scorching heat of their homeworld. They often decorated them with native textiles and simple things. When in a city, Twi'leks used more standard dwellings with technology though they were still modified to survive Ryloth's environment. Some Twi'leks worshipped an unnamed goddess.
History[]
Twi'leks in the Multiverse[]
Since female Twi'leks were regarded as graceful and beautiful beings, many of them were forced into a life of slavery at the hands of the various versions of the Skydiver galaxy's wealthy and powerful. Other Twi'leks, however, found themselves in positions of power: Bib Fortuna served as the majordomo to the crime lord Jabba the Hutt for decades, Aayla Secura and Finn Ertay were Jedi Knights of the Jedi Order,and Senator Orn Free Taa represented his homeworld Ryloth in the Galactic Republic's Senate and later the Imperial Senate. Due to their frequent use as slaves as well as their commonality in the galaxy, Twi'leks could move surreptitiously through places an army could not penetrate. Because of this, some found employment as undercover agents.
Cham Syndulla was a leader of the Twi'lek Resistance during the Clone Wars and later became the leader of the Free Ryloth movement. His daughter Hera Syndulla was the leader of the Spectres and was later promoted to Phoenix Leader in the Phoenix Squadron, eventually achieving the rank of General.