Much to Learn You Still Have: 7 Things You Might Not Know About Jawas | StarWars.com (2024)

My Account Logout

My Account Logout

Dana Jennings

4. Even their rides are scavenged.

When a pack of Jawas roll through the Tatooine desert looking for droids, they travel in a nifty, steam-powered ride called a sandcrawler. Sandcrawlers can hold entire clans of Jawas, and up to 1,500 salvaged droids drawn in using the vehicle’s magnetic suction tube. If you’ve assumed sandcrawlers have always been a Jawa ride, think again. The roving junk collectors were originally brought to Tatooine by mining companies. When they failed at discovering ore, the Jawas swept in (as they do) and repurposed the abandoned behemoths as their own mobile workshops. The original design for the sandcrawler was completed by Colin Cantwell and was inspired by a NASA-designed rover. Ralph McQuarrie later revised the original, however I can’t help but see a Tusken Raider head in Cantwell’s original design (above) that makes it so much cooler to me. Am I crazy?

Fun fact #3: Lucasfilm's headquarters in Singapore is designed to resemble McQuarrie's design and goes by the nickname, "The Sandcrawler."

5.They have friends and foes on Tatooine.

The natural inhabitants of Tatooine can be just as harsh as the fierce desert sandstorms. Jawas have never completely made peace with the howling Tusken Raiders, the other large sentient species native to the twin-sunned planet. Though they’re able to civilly co-exist for the most part, the temperamental nature of the Sand People keep Jawas on a high state of alert. Another threat are the deadly Krayt Dragons, carnivorous reptiles commonly dwelling in the Laguna Caves of Tatooine. Krayt Dragons are hunted for pearls that are found inside their scaly bodies, but a Jawa would never survive an attempt to harvest the treasure.Not everyone’s an enemy, though. The gigantic, dinosaur-like rontos are actually herbivores and are quite loyal to the Jawas. The one downside? Rontos are easily startled, hence why so many Jawas get swiftly bucked off their backs and into the desert sand.

6. They have a sense of community.

Though it may seem like Jawas are only in it for the bargains, they actually do come together as a species when it benefits them. Only once a year, Jawa clans across the desert join for a gigantic swap and salvage meet-up. I picture it sort of like a gigantic craft fair where they show off their “monster droids,” or custom-made droids constructed from various scavenged parts. They also trade equipment and tell stories, probably of terrifying encounters with Tusken Raiders.

7. You'll find them at the races.

Most residents of Tatooine won't turn down a chance to soak in the famous Boonta-Eve Classic. The annual podrace tournament held in Mos Espa brings together racing enthusiasts from all over the galaxy -- especially Jawas. Due to the likelihood of pod blowouts, Jawas post up shop at the Mos Espa Grand Arena and wait for crashes, which of course happen often. As soon as a pod is decommissioned, there are multiple Jawas on the scene scooping up parts and scurrying away to make a quick buck. Even when they're not taking in a race, Jawas tend to know the biggest happenings in Tatooine. When Anakin Skywalker returned to the desert planet in search of his estranged mother Shmi, he instinctively talked to them first. You can always count on the savvy scavengers to have the intel you need.

How did I do? Anything else you want to share about Jawas? Let me know in the comments below!

Sources:The Making of Star Wars, J.W. Rinzler, Ballantine Books, 2007; Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know,Adam Bray, Cole Horton, Michael Kogge, Kerrie Dougherty, DK Children, 2015; Star Wars: The Compete Visual Dictionary, David West Reynolds, James Luceno, Ryder Windham, DK Children, 2006; Star Wars: Complete Locations, DK Publishing, 2016.

Dana Jennings is Lucasfilm’s associate producer for StarWars.com. You may remember her from such polls and quizzes as, “Who Wore it Best?” and “Which Star Wars Character Should You Invite for the Holidays?” When not acting as chairman of the Nien Nunb Appreciation Society, she can be found working hard to make sure The Star Wars Showstays fully operational or dressing up as Kevin the Ewok. Follow her on Instagramand Twitter for all these things and more!