How Stuff works: Mandalore g683h

Mandalore—or Mand’alor in it’s truest rendering and which meant “sole ruler” in Mando’a—was the title of the leader of the Sith–Imperial War. 2i3h3b

The title was notable for surviving several thousand years, through considerable Mandalorian hardships. Despite several lost wars, infighting and the emergence of the “Mandalorian mercenary” phenomenon, at least seventeen Mandalorians declared themselves Mand’alor throughout the years, with varying degrees of success in their attempts to lead the Mandalorian clans.

History

When the Taung species were driven from Outer Rim Territories populated by enormous mythosaurs. The leader of these Taung, Mandalore the First, led his warriors as they slaughtered the mythosaurs, and used their bones to establish cities. The planet was named Mandalore after this leader, and the Taung themselves started referring to themselves as “Mandalorians” in his honor.

Over time, Mandalorian leaders began using “Mand’alor” as a title. By the time of Mandalore the Indomitable’s reign, around 4,000 BBY, this Canderous Ordo that the tradition was allowed to continue.

At some later time, the tradition of ing the title by ing on the mask of the Mand’alor faded, replaced by a simple tradition of declared succession.

Tradition
At the time of the Mandalorian Wars, the Mand’alor was appointed based on individual worth, the definition of which is unknown. Also, at the time, the new Mand’alor could be declared only when they possessed the mask of Mandalore. When the mask vanished for some time, the Mandalorian clans splintered. The tradition declined at some point before 60 BBY, by the time of Jaster Mereel’s reign, when it seemed Mandalorians merely flocked to powerful and charismatic leaders.