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[[Image:Daniel Govar - Woses.jpg|thumb|left|''Woses'' by [[Daniel Govar]]]]
{{race
{{Pronounce|Druedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
|image=[[Image:Ted Nasmith - The Aid of the Wild-men.jpg|250px]]
The '''Drúedain''', (singular '''Drûg''') were a strange race of [[Men]] which were counted amongst the [[Edain]].
|name=Drúedain
|dominions=[[Brethil]], [[Numenor]], [[Drúwaith Iaur]], [[Drúadan Forest]]
|languages=[[Drúadan language]]
|height=Short
|length=
|skincolor=
|haircolor=Dark
|feathers=
|distinctions=Good stoneworkers, mysterious powers, glowing red eyes
|lifespan=Shorter than most [[Men]]
|members=[[Aghan]], [[Ghân]], [[Ghân-buri-Ghân]]
|}}{{Pronounce|Druedain.mp3|Ardamir}}
'''Drúadan''' or '''Drûg''' (pl. '''Drúedain''') is [[Sindarin]] and refers to the race the [[Rohirrim]] call '''Woses''' or '''Wild Men of the Woods'''.  


[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] got the term from the legendary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodwose Woodwoses].
The [[Elves]] described them as 'unlovely', and it is clear that they were, though not evil, as their appearance led many to believe. Though the Drúedain largely held themselves apart from the troubles and calamities of Middle-earth, they were clearly a good-hearted people who suffered by the persecution by other peoples.
==History==
===First Age===
The Drúedain were part of the [[Edain]] who left [[Hildórien]] for the [[Westlands|West]]. They were harried and persecuted by other [[Men]] which made them  secretive and suspicious. They wandered west seeking a land where they could be hidden and have peace.<ref name="TD">{{UT|12}}</ref>


The Drûgin lived among the Second House of Men, the [[Haladin]], in the [[First Age]] in the forest of [[Brethil]]. They were an alien folk to the other Men: a bit like [[Dwarves]] in stature and endurance, stumpy, clumsy-limbed (with short, thick legs, and fat, "gnarled" arms), had broad chests, fat bellies, and heavy buttocks. According to the [[Elves]] and other Men, they had "unlovely faces": wide, flat, and expressionless with deep-set black eyes that glowed red when angered. They had "horny" brows, flat noses, wide mouths, and sparse, lanky hair. They had no hair lower than the eyebrows, except for a few men who had a tail of black hair on the chin. Although a number of the Drúedain were present in [[Númenor]] they had left or died out before the [[Downfall of Númenor|Downfall]], as had the Púkel-men of [[Dunharrow]].  At the end of the [[Third Age]] the Drûg still lived in the [[Drúadan Forest]] of the [[White Mountains]], and at the long cape of [[Andrast]] west of [[Gondor]]. The region north of [[Andrast]] was still known as [[Drúwaith Iaur]], or "Old Drûg land".
Historians in [[Gondor]] believed that they came from lands south of [[Mordor]], perhaps [[Khand]], and before reaching the coasts of [[Haradwaith]] they turned north into [[Ithilien]]. They were the first to cross the [[Anduin]] (probably near [[Cair Andros]]) and settled in the northern vales and wooden lands of the [[White Mountains]] in both sides; this people carved crude figures of stone, and would later be known as [[Púkel-men]].<ref name="TD"/>


The Woses led by [[Ghân-buri-Ghân]] held off [[Orcs]] with poisoned arrows and were vital in securing the aid of the [[Rohirrim]] in the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. King [[Aragorn Elessar]] "forever" granted them the Drúadan Forest in the [[Fourth Age]].
They were joined by the ancestors of the [[Haladin]] and stayed on friendly terms. When the core of their team was pressed to wander on, some Drúedain accompanied them to [[Beleriand]]. Those lived among the Haladin, in the forest of [[Brethil]].<ref name="TD"/> When [[Túrin]] was found by the [[Haladin]], he identified himself as a "Wildman of the Woods".<ref>{{S|Turin}}</ref>


The Drúedain who remained in the Mountains were hunted by tall [[Men of Darkness]] from the East, and were all but annihilated. The survivors fled into the forests of [[Anórien]] and down the [[Andrast|Cape of Andrast]] into [[Drúwaith Iaur]].<ref name="TD"/>
Groups of remaining Drúedain became numerous but were troubled by a barbarous fisher-folk which dwelt in the marshlands between the mouths of the [[Gwathló]] and [[Isen]].<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref><ref name="I">{{UT|Isen}}</ref>
===Second Age===
A number of the Drúedain were present in [[Númenor]] but started leaving the island during the time of [[Tar-Aldarion]], foreseeing the evil that would come.<ref name="TD"/>
Those between Isen and [[Gwathló]] were reduced to a few tribes of fishers and fowlers.<ref name="I"/> They began to fear the [[Númenóreans]] and when their occupation of the coastlands began, they retreated in the mountains of [[Andrast]], which was never occupied by the Númenóreans.<ref name="TD"/> Some [[Pre-Númenóreans]] also wished to flee the Sea Kings, however they were afraid of the Púkel-men and did not cross the [[Isen]] nor take refuge in the Cape.<ref>{{UT|Galadriel}}</ref>
By the [[Downfall of Númenor]], all Drúedain had left the island, as had the Púkel-men of [[Dunharrow]].<ref name="TD"/>
===Third Age===
At the end of the Third Age they still lived in the [[Drúadan Forest]] of the [[White Mountains]], and at the long cape of [[Andrast]] west of [[Gondor]]. The region north of Andrast was still known as [[Drúwaith Iaur]], or "Old Drûg land".
Also known as '''Woses''', they feared [[Sauron]], and the [[Rohirrim]], who hunted them for sport.
During the [[War of the Ring]] the chieftain of the enclave of the White Mountains was [[Ghân-buri-Ghân]]. Their most significant contribution to the [[Free peoples]] was showing the [[Rohirrim]] paths through the Drúadan Forest, thus helping them reach the [[Pelennor Fields]] soon, evading the [[Orcs|Orc]] army that was waiting for them along the [[West Road]]. The Woses also used their tactics to hold off an army of Orcs searching for the Rohirrim.
===Fourth Age===
After the [[War of the Ring]], [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] granted the Drúadan Forest to be theirs forever, forbidding anyone to enter without their permission. They never showed their faces again, nor was any alliance or trading system struck up between them and Gondor in the [[Fourth Age]]. It is clear that they never mingled with the Free Peoples, content to live their reclusive mysterious life until they faded away into the mists of [[#Inspiration|history and legend]].
==Characteristics==
In appearance, the Woses were short, stumpy-bodied men, possibly related to the [[Púkel-men]] of ancient [[Rohan]]. They had disproportionate bodies and small, sunken eyes that glowed red when they were angry or suspicious.
They were primitive but were woodcrafty and stone workers, but also had mysterious powers of clairvoyance and healing, and [[magic]] related to the control of stone. For weapons, the Woses of Drúadan used poison-darts and arrows.
== Names ==
== Names ==
The term Drúedain is Sindarin in origin, the singular being either Drûg or Drúadan. However there are many terms used for the same peoples in the various languages of [[Arda]]. The most common are listed below:
*'''[[Drughu]]:''' the Drúedain's own name for themselves. Drughu is ultimately the source of the Sindarin 'Drú' and many of the other names they are known by.
*'''Drughu:''' the Drúedain's own name for themselves. Drughu is ultimately the source of the Sindarin 'Drúedain' and many of the other names they are known by.
*'''[[Drú]]/Drúin:''' Simple [[Sindarin]] term for the Drughu, singular and plural.
*'''Drúath:''' An earlier Sindarin term for the Drúedain, modified as early as the [[First Age]] when it became known that they were enemies of the orcs. Later used to refer to a large number of the Drúedain as opposed to 'Drúin' which was a simple pluralisation (As 'Woses' to the singular 'Wose') and Drúedain, used to refer to the race as a whole.
*'''Drúath:''' An earlier Sindarin collective (that means, plural) term for the Drúedain, modified as early as the [[First Age]] when it became known that they were enemies of the orcs. Later used to refer to a large number of the Drúedain as opposed to 'Drúin' which was a simple pluralisation (As 'Woses' to the singular 'Wose') and Drúedain, used to refer to the race as a whole.  
*'''Drúin:''' Plural of 'Drûg' or 'Drúadan'.
*'''Drúadan/Drúedain:''' Meaning 'Drú-men'. It also has possessive qualities as in the case of [[Drúadan Forest]]
*'''Drúadan:''' Singular term in the same manner of 'Dúnadan' is to '[[Dúnedain]]'. It also has possessive qualities as in the case of [[Drúadan Forest]]
*'''[[Drúedain|Drûg]]-folk:''' Rarely used collective term.
*'''Drûg-folk:''' Rarely used collective term.
*'''[[Róg]]/[[Rógin]]:''' [[Rohirric]] terminology, singular/plural respectively (as in 'Drúg'/'Drúedain'. In Tolkien's text it is translated as Wose(s).
*'''[[Róg]]/[[Rógin]]:''' [[Rohirric]] terminology, singular/plural respectively (as in 'Drúg'/'Drúedain'
*'''[[Rú]]/[[Rúatani]]:'''' Quenya terms for the Drughu, derived from their Sindarin counterparts. Singular/plural respectively.  
*'''Wose/Woses:''' A term borrowed from Old English by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] as a translation of the Rohhirric 'Róg'. This is perhaps the most common term used by readers of the text.
*'''Wose/Woses:''' A term borrowed from Old English by [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] as a translation of the Rohhirric 'Róg'. This is perhaps the most common term used by readers of the text.
*'''[[Rú]]/[[Rúatani]]<ref name="Druedain"/>:''' Quenya terms for the Drughu, derived from their Sindarin counterparts. Singular/plural respectively.


== See Also ==
==Etymology==
The name means "Drû-man".
 
The element ''[[Drû]]'' is an adaptation of ''[[Drughu]]'', which is how that race calls themselves in their language. As the [[Elves]] came to know the Drû better, and to recognise their bitter enmity to the [[Orcs]], they acquired the element ''[[Edain]]''.<ref name="Druedain">{{UT|Druedain}}, note 6</ref>
 
The word ''Wose'' represents [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]]'s translation of the actual word ''[[róg]]'' of the [[Rohirrim]] into archaic English.
 
"Woses" is Anglicized (modernized) from the [[Old English]] word ''wāsan'' meaning "wild, neglected". It is seen in the name ''Wuduwasas'' (who are the direct inspiration of the Woses) and means "Wild men of the woods".
==Inspirations==
In Western folklore, the "wuduwasa" or "wood man" is a hairy, troll-like being supposed to inhabit woods and forests; the figure was used on coats-of-arms and illuminations during the middle-ages up to the renaissance.
 
Both the description of Woses, as well as the word "Wose" itself, derives from this folkloric figure. According to [[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] his idea was to show the actual existence of wild folk, remnants of former peoples driven out by invaders, living a debased and savage life in forests and mountains.<ref>{{HM|N}}, pp. 764-5</ref>
==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Drúedain in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=3
|File:Cortney Skinner - Woses of the Eryn Vorn (MECCG).jpg|"Woses of the Eryn Vorn" in the ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]''
}}
'''1995-8: ''[[Middle-earth Collectible Card Game]]'':'''
:The card game features three different factions of the race: the "Woses of the [[Drúadan Forest]]" and the "Woses of Old Pûkel-land" in the set ''[[Middle-earth: The Wizards|The Wizards]]'', and the "Woses of the [[Eryn Vorn]]" in the expansion ''[[Middle-earth: Against the Shadow|Against the Shadow]]''.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://www.tradecardsonline.com/im/searchCards|articlename=(Results from search for cards in the game Middle Earth)|dated=|website=[http://www.tradecardsonline.com/ Tradecardsoneline.com]|accessed=27 March 2014}}</ref>
 
== See also ==
* ''[[The Faithful Stone]]''
* [[:Category:Images of Woses|Images of Drúedain]]
* [[:Category:Images of Woses|Images of Drúedain]]


==External links==
*[[Wikipedia:Woodwoses|Woodwoses]] at Wikipedia
{{references}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Druedain}}
[[Category:Drúedain]]
[[Category:Drúedain]]
[[Category:Men]]
[[Category:Sindarin demonyms]]
[[de:Drúedain]]
[[fr:encyclo:peuples:hommes:druedain]]
[[fi:Drúedain]]

Revision as of 12:47, 19 November 2014

Drúedain
Race
Ted Nasmith - The Aid of the Wild-men.jpg
General Information
MembersAghan, Ghân, Ghân-buri-Ghân
Physical Description
LifespanShorter than most Men
DistinctionsGood stoneworkers, mysterious powers, glowing red eyes
Average heightShort
GalleryImages of Drúedain

Drúadan or Drûg (pl. Drúedain) is Sindarin and refers to the race the Rohirrim call Woses or Wild Men of the Woods.

The Elves described them as 'unlovely', and it is clear that they were, though not evil, as their appearance led many to believe. Though the Drúedain largely held themselves apart from the troubles and calamities of Middle-earth, they were clearly a good-hearted people who suffered by the persecution by other peoples.

History

First Age

The Drúedain were part of the Edain who left Hildórien for the West. They were harried and persecuted by other Men which made them secretive and suspicious. They wandered west seeking a land where they could be hidden and have peace.[1]

Historians in Gondor believed that they came from lands south of Mordor, perhaps Khand, and before reaching the coasts of Haradwaith they turned north into Ithilien. They were the first to cross the Anduin (probably near Cair Andros) and settled in the northern vales and wooden lands of the White Mountains in both sides; this people carved crude figures of stone, and would later be known as Púkel-men.[1]

They were joined by the ancestors of the Haladin and stayed on friendly terms. When the core of their team was pressed to wander on, some Drúedain accompanied them to Beleriand. Those lived among the Haladin, in the forest of Brethil.[1] When Túrin was found by the Haladin, he identified himself as a "Wildman of the Woods".[2]

The Drúedain who remained in the Mountains were hunted by tall Men of Darkness from the East, and were all but annihilated. The survivors fled into the forests of Anórien and down the Cape of Andrast into Drúwaith Iaur.[1]

Groups of remaining Drúedain became numerous but were troubled by a barbarous fisher-folk which dwelt in the marshlands between the mouths of the Gwathló and Isen.[3][4]

Second Age

A number of the Drúedain were present in Númenor but started leaving the island during the time of Tar-Aldarion, foreseeing the evil that would come.[1]

Those between Isen and Gwathló were reduced to a few tribes of fishers and fowlers.[4] They began to fear the Númenóreans and when their occupation of the coastlands began, they retreated in the mountains of Andrast, which was never occupied by the Númenóreans.[1] Some Pre-Númenóreans also wished to flee the Sea Kings, however they were afraid of the Púkel-men and did not cross the Isen nor take refuge in the Cape.[5]

By the Downfall of Númenor, all Drúedain had left the island, as had the Púkel-men of Dunharrow.[1]

Third Age

At the end of the Third Age they still lived in the Drúadan Forest of the White Mountains, and at the long cape of Andrast west of Gondor. The region north of Andrast was still known as Drúwaith Iaur, or "Old Drûg land".

Also known as Woses, they feared Sauron, and the Rohirrim, who hunted them for sport.

During the War of the Ring the chieftain of the enclave of the White Mountains was Ghân-buri-Ghân. Their most significant contribution to the Free peoples was showing the Rohirrim paths through the Drúadan Forest, thus helping them reach the Pelennor Fields soon, evading the Orc army that was waiting for them along the West Road. The Woses also used their tactics to hold off an army of Orcs searching for the Rohirrim.

Fourth Age

After the War of the Ring, King Elessar granted the Drúadan Forest to be theirs forever, forbidding anyone to enter without their permission. They never showed their faces again, nor was any alliance or trading system struck up between them and Gondor in the Fourth Age. It is clear that they never mingled with the Free Peoples, content to live their reclusive mysterious life until they faded away into the mists of history and legend.

Characteristics

In appearance, the Woses were short, stumpy-bodied men, possibly related to the Púkel-men of ancient Rohan. They had disproportionate bodies and small, sunken eyes that glowed red when they were angry or suspicious.

They were primitive but were woodcrafty and stone workers, but also had mysterious powers of clairvoyance and healing, and magic related to the control of stone. For weapons, the Woses of Drúadan used poison-darts and arrows.

Names

  • Drughu: the Drúedain's own name for themselves. Drughu is ultimately the source of the Sindarin 'Drú' and many of the other names they are known by.
  • Drú/Drúin: Simple Sindarin term for the Drughu, singular and plural.
  • Drúath: An earlier Sindarin collective (that means, plural) term for the Drúedain, modified as early as the First Age when it became known that they were enemies of the orcs. Later used to refer to a large number of the Drúedain as opposed to 'Drúin' which was a simple pluralisation (As 'Woses' to the singular 'Wose') and Drúedain, used to refer to the race as a whole.
  • Drúadan/Drúedain: Meaning 'Drú-men'. It also has possessive qualities as in the case of Drúadan Forest
  • Drûg-folk: Rarely used collective term.
  • Róg/Rógin: Rohirric terminology, singular/plural respectively (as in 'Drúg'/'Drúedain'. In Tolkien's text it is translated as Wose(s).
  • Wose/Woses: A term borrowed from Old English by Tolkien as a translation of the Rohhirric 'Róg'. This is perhaps the most common term used by readers of the text.
  • /Rúatani[6]: Quenya terms for the Drughu, derived from their Sindarin counterparts. Singular/plural respectively.

Etymology

The name means "Drû-man".

The element Drû is an adaptation of Drughu, which is how that race calls themselves in their language. As the Elves came to know the Drû better, and to recognise their bitter enmity to the Orcs, they acquired the element Edain.[6]

The word Wose represents Tolkien's translation of the actual word róg of the Rohirrim into archaic English.

"Woses" is Anglicized (modernized) from the Old English word wāsan meaning "wild, neglected". It is seen in the name Wuduwasas (who are the direct inspiration of the Woses) and means "Wild men of the woods".

Inspirations

In Western folklore, the "wuduwasa" or "wood man" is a hairy, troll-like being supposed to inhabit woods and forests; the figure was used on coats-of-arms and illuminations during the middle-ages up to the renaissance.

Both the description of Woses, as well as the word "Wose" itself, derives from this folkloric figure. According to Tolkien his idea was to show the actual existence of wild folk, remnants of former peoples driven out by invaders, living a debased and savage life in forests and mountains.[7]

Portrayal in adaptations

Drúedain in adaptations
"Woses of the Eryn Vorn" in the Middle-earth Collectible Card Game  

1995-8: Middle-earth Collectible Card Game:

The card game features three different factions of the race: the "Woses of the Drúadan Forest" and the "Woses of Old Pûkel-land" in the set The Wizards, and the "Woses of the Eryn Vorn" in the expansion Against the Shadow.[8]

See also

External links

References