Kaminoan
From Wookieepedia, the Star Wars wiki.
| |
| Kaminoan | |
|---|---|
| Homeworld | |
| Language | |
| Average height |
2.2 meters |
| Skin color |
White |
| Distinctions |
Very tall, long limbs |
| Famous members | |
- "These Kaminoans keep to themselves; they're cloners—damned good ones, too."
- ―Dexter Jettster[src]
Kaminoans were a tall, thin species with pale skin from the isolated watery planet of Kamino. The Kaminoans lived in large stilted cities that rose above the ocean surface, such as Tipoca City.
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[edit] Biology and appearance
The species' evolution from aquatic creatures in the vast oceans of Kamino was reflected in their tall shape, glassy coated eyes, near luminescent skin, and long, thin necks. There were many peculiarities about the particulars of Kaminoan physiology: digitigrade and slender legs, once adapted for firm seabeds, eventually only saw use in the hallways of their science facilities, while only male Kaminoans exhibited fin ridges along the rear of their small, bulbous skulls. The almond-shaped eyes of Kaminoans were also able to see color in the ultraviolet spectrum. Therefore, what appeared as white dwellings were actually colored with shades that Humans and a number of other species couldn't see.
Kaminoans matured quickly, reaching full adulthood at 11 years and remaining at their adult physical prime until roughly the age of 40. They became old and infirm at approximately age 80. Female Kaminoans were bald, while males possessed a headcrest.
Kaminoan was also the name of the native language spoken by the Kaminoans.
[edit] Culture and history
After the disastrous end of an ice age on Kamino known as the Great Flood, Kaminoan society was pushed to the brink of extinction. Only through the development of a mastery over selective breeding, genetics, and cloning were the Kaminoans able to survive. The calculating instincts of survival required of the Kaminoans produced heavy marks upon their late form culture. Kaminoans were minimalist in their designs and lifestyle, and were fierce perfectionists to the point of intolerance. The impact of the harsh adaptations the Kaminoans were subjected to is also viewable in their inward focus and isolationism. Kaminoans focused on little else than their cloning and interacted with offworlders as little as possible.
It was with great trepidation, therefore, that the Kaminoans began to offer their cloning services and genetic proficiency in exchange for essential imports. The select few clients that received the work of Kaminoan geneticists received perfect clones to suit their needs. The Kaminoans took great pride in their scientific breakthroughs, but gave little thought to the ethics of their work or the consequences of their deployment. While Kamino-made clones slaved away in the mining colonies of Subterrel or the private armies of intergalactic mercenaries, the Kaminoans thought nothing of it, continuing to toil towards gaining more scientific honor. The earmark of a high-ranking officer on Kamino was thick, black cuffs on the sleeves of their tight white uniforms; the wider the cuff, the higher the rank.
The most infamous work of the Kaminoans was their design and development of the Galactic Republic's clone army. Using the Mandalorian bounty hunter Jango Fett as the template, the Kaminoans produced and trained a massive army of clone soldiers for the Republic at the behest of Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas. Their work eventually brought them to the brink of destruction again, as their world was targeted by the Separatists to end the supply of clone soldiers. The Kamino Defense Force, manned by specially trained clone troopers (including the ARC troopers) defeated the Separatist forces.
When the Kaminoans first started experimenting on the Fett genome, they produced 12 specimens, six of which did not survive incubation. However, after two years of flash learning, the Kaminoans realized that the clones, which they then classified as "Null", were far too independent and unpredictable to be reliable soldiers in the Republic's new military. The Kaminoans were planning to terminate the children, but with the intervention of Kal Skirata, the six were trained and raised as intelligence units. However, Kal Skirata would not be able to save all of the clones; the Kaminoans would later terminate a "batch" of clones that did not have 20/20 vision.
After the successful defense of their world at the First Battle of Kamino, the cloning facilities continued to produce and train more troops for the Grand Army of the Republic. However, after Order 66 was initiated, the facilities on Kamino were commandeered by the Empire in an effort to keep the important art of cloning out of the hands of those who would use it against them. Fed up with Imperial rule, some Kaminoans began to build another clone army in secret, even more deadly and proficient than the Grand Army. Becoming aware of this plot, Darth Vader sent a squad of stormtroopers from the 501st Legion, commanded by Boba Fett, to Kamino to eliminate this army and bring the Kaminoans in line.
[edit] Society
Not much was known about internal Kaminoan society; however, there was a dance known as Nahra, where Kaminoans would display their emotions—which was a rare sight.
There also appeared to be a caste distinction between certain Kaminoans, which could be determined by the color of the Kaminoan's eyes. The highest-level caste members in Kaminoan society had gray eyes, the middle classes had yellow eyes, and the lower classes had blue colored eyes. Eye color was directly related to the type of work a Kaminoan would be used for. Gray eyed individuals handled administration, yellow eyes handled the skilled work and blue eyes performed manual labor and other menial tasks.
Although it was extremely rare, Kaminoans were sometimes born with green eyes. They were viewed as genetically inferior and a threat to the Kaminoans' well ordered society and as such were exterminated shortly after birth.
Furthermore, there appeared to be some varying groups within their society with different views such as the monk-like Kaminoan Ascetics.
[edit] Behind the scenes
Jedi Master Yarael Poof was cut out of Attack of the Clones because of his similarity in appearance to the Kaminoans, something that George Lucas felt would confuse viewers.[1]
The cloners of Kamino are similar to the Bene Tleilax from Frank Herbert's novel Dune. Both are xenophobic isolationists, and both are unethical, scientific peoples who take pride in their creations. Also, the planet on which each species resides lies outside the boundaries of law and order in their respective universes.
The original plan made by the writers regarding the Kaminoans featured in Attack of the Clones was to make their voices sound androgynous. This idea was scrapped.[source?]
[edit] Appearances
[edit] Sources
- Attack of the Clones: The Visual Dictionary
- Star Wars Trading Card Game: Attack of the Clones
- Ultimate Alien Anthology
- Star Wars: The Complete Visual Dictionary
- The New Essential Chronology
Kaminoan in the Databank
- The Clone Wars: The Visual Guide
