The neglected race- The Drúedain

[Eönwë]

I have always thought that the Púkel-men (Drúedain) have been neglected by many people studying the work of Tolkien, and especially on forums such as these. I have always been fascinated by them (being my favourite race in ME), but I want to know what you thnk of them.


A summary of The Drúedain in UT:

Basic summary:

Originally Posted by UT, The Drúedain

There were not many, a few hundreds maybe, living apart in families or small tribes, but in friendship, as members of the same community [of the folk of Haleth, who] who called them by the name drûg, that being a word of their own language

Their looks, voice and nature:

Originally Posted by UT, the Drúedain

To the eyes of Elves and other Men they were unlovely in looks: they were stumpy (some four foot high) but very broad, with heavy buttocks and short thick legs; their wide faces had deep-set eyes with heavy brows, and flat noses, and grew no hair below their eyebrows, except in a few men (who were proud of the distinction) a small tail of black hair in the midst of the chin. Their features were usually impassive, the most mobile being their wide mouths; and the movement of their wary eyes could not be observed save from close at hand, for they were so black that the pupils could not be distinguished, but in anger they glowed red. Their voices were deep and guttural, but their laughter was a surprise: it was rich and rolling, and set all who heard it, Elves or Men, laughing too for its pure merriment untainted by scorn or malice.' In peace they often laughed at work or play when other Men might sing. But they could be relentless enemies, and when once aroused their red wrath was slow to cool, though it showed no sign save the light in their eyes; for they fought in silence and did not exult in victory, not even over Orcs, the only creatures for whom their hatred was implacable

Originally Posted by UT, the Drúedain, CT's comments

My father was at pains to emphasize the radical difference between the Drúedain and the Hobbits. They were of quite different physical shape and appearance. The Drúedain were taller, and of heavier and stronger build... They were moreover a frugal people, eating sparingly even in times of plenty and drinking nothing but water. In some ways they resembled rather the Dwarves: in build and stature and endurance; in their skill in carving stone; in the grim side of their character; and in their strange powers. But the 'magic' skills with which the Dwarves were credited were quite different; and the Dwarves were far grimmer, and also long-lived, whereas the Drúedain were short-lived compared with other kinds of Men...

Their skills:

Originally Posted by UT, the Drúedain

They had a marvellous skill as trackers of all living creatures, and … for the Drúedain used their scent, like hounds save that they were also keen-eyed. ... Their knowledge of all growing things was almost equal to that of the Elves … and it is said that if they removed to a new country they knew within a short time all things that grew there, great or minute, and gave names to those that were new to them, discerning those that were poisonous, or useful as food...

In the far distant past they appear already to have had small tools of flint for scraping and cutting, and these they still used, ... But when in Beleriand by association with the Eldar and in traffic with the Dwarves of Ered Lindon [metals] became more common, the Drúedain showed great talent for carving in wood or stone. They already had a knowledge of pigments, derived chiefly from plants, and they drew pictures and patterns on wood or flat surfaces of stone; and sometimes they would scrape knobs of wood into faces that could be painted. But with sharper and stronger tools they delighted in carving figures of men and beasts, whether toys and ornaments or large images, to which the most skilled among them could give vivid semblance of life...

But among the powers of this strange people perhaps most to be remarked was their capacity of utter silence and stillness, which they could at times endure for many days on end, sitting with their legs crossed, their hands upon their knees or in their laps, and their eyes closed or looking at the ground.
It is said that the Drúedain would often sit thus in times of grief or loss, but sometimes for pleasure in thought, or in the making of plans. But they could also use this stillness when on guard; and then they would sit or stand, hidden in shadow, and though their eyes might seem closed or staring with a blank gaze nothing passed or came near that was not marked and remembered. So intense was their unseen vigilance that it could be felt as a hostile menace by intruders, who retreated in fear before any warning was given; but if any evil thing passed on, then they would utter as a signal a shrill whistle, painful to endure close at hand and heard far off...

Indeed, though they held the Drúedain in love and trust, many of the Folk of Haleth believed that they possessed uncanny and magical powers; and among their tales of marvels there were several that told of such things...

I know this thread is a bit useless, but I just want to know what other people think of the Drúedain, and what your thoughts are on their moral side.

edit: I might get some more info another time