Someone on Tik Tok made me think of this and now it is canon in my head that each Mandalorian clan is inspired by different real world cultures, but are all tied together by the Mandalorian culture and shared traditions. After all you can be Mandalorian by creed and warrior honor rather than blood.
The Fett clan is Māori, because of course. Tā Moko is a part of this clans verd'goten, it marks when a clan member has become a warrior and is apart of who they are. The facial markings and other tattoos are often copied onto their armor and when Mandalore still had a sea, they were navigators of the waters, the land, and the skies. Mana is developed through warrior actions and the clan's traditional dance resembles the Haka.
The Kryze clan is Irish, because Satine and Bo feel so Irish to me. They are the myth tellers of the clans, passing down the stories of Mandalore, of mythosuars and mystic warriors. They carve interloping stymbols into beaker, for protection, for family, and they paint them on their armor to ward off spirits. Music, through fiddles, bes'bevs, and harps are incredibly important, and their traditional dance resembles Celili dancing and Sean-nos dancing.
The Wren clan is primarily Japanese but after an integration between clans they have elements of south asian, specially Indian, culture. Their armor resembles samurai's and they have a focus on long blades as well as blasters. Tea is common with all Mandalorians but the Wren's have perfected it, often using tea as a ceremonial end to training and as a clan bonding. The Wren's put the needs of the whole above the singular and have bright celebrations with colors and powder, meant to paint their armor in joy rather than blood. They dance the Bon Odori to honor their ancestors, to bring the clan together.
The Eldar Clan is Zulu. They wear beaded editions to their armor, beads that tell stories of who they are, who they have, who is waiting for them at the end of a battle. Before battles the clan drinks to remove evil spirits from the playfield, to protect them as they go forward. The clan dances the Indlamu to boost morale, to prepare for battle, to bring their community together.
The Vizsla clan and the Saxon clan are British because they sided with oppressors(empire).
I have to ask this since your so good at creating mandolarins. Have you come up with anything for clan elder since I have a OC from that clan and I need some help on making her look good.
Btw I love your art
Mmmmh I don't really have much for them specifically, but I can make something!!
Ok so we got like, nothing about these guys lol, apart from these two from Rebels and their Insignia
Buuuutt I'm not gonna use these appearances that much honestly, they give a good basis but i wanna add more flavor (I do like that guy though, he seems nice, mmmmh I’ll steal him later)
Ok so, their armor color scheme seems to veer into orange and gray, but for artistic choices I prefer to interpret it as orange, brown and black! I also made them not be originally from Mandalore, but from Bonagal (one of the other planets in the Mandalorian System). They do live mostly on Mandalore, but they often go back to their original planet, which helps them keep their Bonagali culture alive. So for them those three colors have different meanings from the traditionally mandalorian ones: orange is for bravery, brown is for strength, and black is for faith.
Now, their insignia looks very canine I know, but those fangs keep reminding me of the water deer:
Maybe it could be a space-mix bewteen a water deer and a predator, an animal native to Bonagal just like the clan! Maybe they even have some like one would keep a Strill etc.
Armor wise I don’t think they would be that different from a standard mando, but personally I’d make them go like this:
Two-piece chestplate
Different Beskar’ta
More coverage on the arms
Asymmetrical Kama
Oh and I like to think they are mainly a clan of tailors!
(Sorry, I got a little editing-happy with some of them.)
Now, regarding his clothing style, since Boza's a Mandalorian, I knew from the get-go that designing him in armor wasn't going to work. However, when I came across the options I used above, I realized that I could easily try and show him in a "body glove", though I had to make do with the gloves and shoes. The belt...actually fits on its own. I chose this pose to give the idea of Boza working out in the early morning, and I tried to show in his expression that he's a rather smiley fellow who isn't easily ruffled even in mock combat. As for his given name, well, let me explain that before attempting to whip up his backstory:
Boza was named, and made in honor of, Chadwick Boseman.
Four years ago, Mr. Boseman was sadly taken from the world. Many were left heartbroken and sad, most of all his family. Unbeknownst to the public until his passing, Mr. Boseman had been suffering from cancer since the late stages of Captain America: Civil War's finishing production, at least. He did not share it with anyone outside of his family, and fought it just as hard as the Black Panther would have.
On a more personal note about the late actor, I want to extend my thanks to him in this tribute. Long before he was cast in the role, the Black Panther, also known as Prince/King T'Challa, was always a favorite character of mine. I briefly saw him in Avengers: Earth's Mightest Heroes, and then sporadically in Avengers Assemble. However, my greatest introduction to the character and his backstory was brought to life by Mr. Boseman. Truly, watching him in the theater as Black Panther felt like watching my favorite side Avenger come to life and step into the real world. Mr. Boseman played the character just as poised, regal, ferocious, and honorable as I had come to know and expect of the character. In hindsight, his part of the film riveted my attention almost as much, if not to the same degree, as the story of Cap and Bucky. I was much happier for his portrayal of T'Challa than I would have guessed, and perhaps more than I realize now. And for that, I am eternally grateful he was offered and accepted the role, for without him, my experience with both the film and the character would be much duller, and my memories of the old MCU would not be nearly as bright.
Rest in peace, Chadwick Boseman. You have earned it, and may you continue your adventures as the Black Panther in Heaven.
Boza Eldar was born the sole heir to his House in the Mandalore System. The Eldars are renowned for their prowess in martial arts, and their ability to use their words as weapons in the political games of the galaxy. As the only direct heir to the House, Boza studied across the System to learn battle strategy, martial arts, languages, politics, technology, the arts, and much more. However, during his studies, he became more and more suspicious of the Empire's motives, causing him to dig into their works in his off time - which he did not often have. Realizing the true nature of the Empire, Boza was prepared to take the matter up with his parents about pushing back when news of Sabine Wren blowing the whistle on the Empire after her tenure in the Academy spread through the System. Not long after, Sabine was accused of being a traitor to Mandalorian society, and a coward for running from her people and "justice".
Despite the people's distaste for the "runaway Wren", Boza, impressed by her courage to say anything against the Empire, was inspired to slowly build up a secretive group of Mandalorians to combat the Empire someday. His parents helped him set up the network, though it was mostly conducted through intelligence gathering and occasional "heists" that disrupted the Empire's work and transports. Despite this, the atmosphere was still tense, which grew worse as rumors of a rogue Mandalorian outside the System was wrecking havoc and combating the Empire grew - and that she was a Jedi. Although Gar Saxon insisted the rumors were Rebel propaganda and censored all information regarding his work into recent Mandalorian "traitors", Boza knew this was no coincidence.
Although he had no particular love for the Jedi, Boza's studies of history involved Tarre Vizsla, and how the Mandalorian Jedi brought peace and unified the Clans and made them the powerful Sector that they now are. There were no Jedi from his line or any other in three thousand years, and yet now, not only has a member of a prominent Clan taken a stand against the Empire, but the first Mandalorian Jedi since Tarre has appeared, standing against the Emperor by her sheer existence. If the rumors about her were true, and if she and Sabine Wren were both working for this "Rebel Alliance", then that could only mean one thing:
The Mandalore System must go to war against the Empire.
Boza's family has their own religious view of what the Jedi call the Force, and he is certain that the appearance of a Jedi Mandalorian is a sign that they must unite once again, lest they be crushed. He, Sabine, and this rogue are children, but they can lead in a firefight, or inspire others to take up arms and combat the Empire. They must grow into these roles, for their people depend on them.
When Lady Bo-Katan Kryze returns with her own army of Mandalorians and wielding the Darksaber, Boza wastes no time in bringing his forces to supply her lost troops. Working with her, he finds himself assigned as a field commander alongside none other than Sabine Wren herself. Despite her still stained image in Mandalorian society, Boza cannot help but find her intriguing. They fight well together, are evenly matched in a fight (though they each have a tendency to "lose" a match to the other), and understand their respective interests in art. Where Sabine is colorful and expressive with her artwork (both with and without explosives involved), Boza prefers sculpting. He likes to work with his hands, and it helps calm nerves and distracts from the severity of the war. Although it is joked about often, others pointing to Boza allowing Sabine to paint his sculptures and figurines as the moment she fell in love with him has much evidence going for it.
When the war is over and Mandalore has been freed from the Empire, Tristan has assumed his birthright as the new Count Wren while Sabine's younger twin sister, Sacha, has joined Fenn Rau's new Proctectors. However, both Boza and Sabine realize that even with her courage and loyalty to Mandalore being proven, most men will still avoid her due to old political wounds, not helped by the fact that even now, Tristan is arranging a marriage for himself to earn some additional support, as Clan Wren is still persona non grata, both from their time with Death Watch and Sabine's past actions reflecting on them. Despite that, Boza knows one man who doesn't care for that part of her past, and asks Sabine if she would accept his hand in marriage, offering Clan Wren the support and protection of House Eldar as a wedding gift as well.
Zeb swears the marriage was one of the biggest, and definitely the most colorful, that he's ever attended.
That's all, folks! Almost all of this is original on my end, save the name Eldar; although they're only known as Clan Eldar in the canon Star Wars universe, I decided to promote them to a House's standing in my take. I see Boza and Sabine having three kids, though I don't think either of them would mind a fourth - or even be unhappy with just two. I didn't have a place to put this, but I envision Boza having a pet "wolf cat". It's an actual named animal in Star Wars, though it has no official art - but I'm willing to imagine House/Clan Eldar's sigil is one....
Thank you for reading, and may the Force be with you!
If you would tell the Ursa Wren that she would come to care for two Jedi, she would’ve scoffed at you. Mandalorians and Jedi got along as well as Wookies and Trandoshans did. Her initial hostility was justified giving the two cultures histories, plus her daughter who was deemed a traitor returning home and placing everyone in danger. The nerve of two outsiders who knew nothing of their ways lecture her about her own daughter. Despite Ursa trying to kill them they stood by Clan Wren in Saxon’s attempt of massacre. The Jedi returned their rebellion and the Clan with the Protector prepared for war. Her hatred for them would eventually dull to reluctant respect and gratitude. Many amongst the clan voiced their negative opinions of the Jedi without care, especially Bridger. Sabine finally had enough and enlighten us all. “I fought the Jedi when you and your brother were just ik’aad, what do you truly know about this boy? How exactly did he survive the temple massacre?” “He was born the day of the purge! Plus, I know a lot about my brother in arms! He’s a survivor. He survived eight years on the streets by himself. With no food, no education, no shelter and no help. His home burnt to the ground and his parents imprisoned for ten years, later executed for organizing a mass prison break.” Ursa looked to Fenn Rau for confirmation but he was just as shocked as she. They all were. She and her clan had abandon Sabine. A decision they regret but she was already an adult by their customs, Bridger on the other hand was just a little boy by many customs. When Bridger came for help she was not going to deny him, he was already denied it for too long. Not after he restored her daughter to them. Her reluctant respect turned to great admiration for Bridger’s loyalty, Jarrus and Syndulla’s kindness. She gave her condolences to captain Syndulla and began preparations for her husbands rescue. It was a strange to see the last of the Jedi fight for Mandalore but it has begun to be welcome sight to see. It might be a permanent sight if the other clans have anything to say about it. Rook, Eldar, Kryze, Rau and surprisingly Vizsla to an extent have all express desire to add Bridger to their ranks. Unfortunately for them Ezra Bridger will be a Wren. If the side glances, accidental brushes and failed flirting by her son was anything to go off. Sabine will probably follow old traditions and adopts Ezra into the Clan as her brother in arms officially. Either way Bridger will be snare by her children.
