Highlights
- Despite their small stature, Ewoks are skilled warriors and played a vital role in the Battle of Endor.
- The Ewoks’ lack of presence as Force-sensitives may be due to their limited knowledge of the Force, rather than their intelligence.
- The Ewoks have the potential to become Force-users, as shown by a non-canon Ewok Jedi in Star Wars Legends.
Force-sensitives in Star Wars come from a wide variety of cultures. The question regarding the possibility of an Ewok Jedi or Sith is either more of a story choice, or a matter pertaining to some sort of Force-sensitive prerequisites. Unfortunately, due to the absence of Force-using Ewoks onscreen, it appears that their cultural lifestyle or level of intelligence may allude to the Ewok’s inability to wield the Force.
This warrior species debuted in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and fought with the Rebel Alliance. Their small stature shouldn’t lead viewers to underestimate them as warriors or potential Force-users. They played a vital role in the victory of the Battle of Endor. Small, they are; but mighty. Their history in Star Wars is minor and elusive, but their presence has made a lasting impact. This leaves fans with the question whether Ewoks can be Force-sensitive.
Ewoks In Star Wars
The Ewoks are tribal inhabitants on the forest moon of Endor. They are small, furry creatures that resemble rabid teddy bears. They are skilled primitive warriors who live primarily as hunter-gatherers. Their society includes artists, shamans, and healers. Star Wars has presented Force-sensitives of these professions in other cultures, who often have a spiritual connection to the Force through nature. Although the Ewoks have a deep spiritual connection to nature, they largely have not exhibited signs of being Force-sensitive.
The Force has been noted as existing in all living things, but only those “gifted” to perceive and interact with the Force are capable of wielding it. However, this limited belief does not take into account the unintelligent Force-sensitive creatures of Star Wars, nor Force-using plants, such as those on Dagobah. The reason as to why Ewoks have not yet been featured as Force-sensitives may have less to do with their intelligence as a species, and more to do with their intelligence of the Force. A tool, for instance, in the hands of one who doesn’t know how to use it will likely not be seen for its true value, and thus rejected.
Do Ewoks Need To Be Intelligent To Be Force-Sensitive?
The Jedi purposefully recruit Force-sensitives to teach them about the Force and how to use it as a Jedi. Without this teaching, many Force-sensitives may never develop Force-abilities. The Ewoks are certainly capable of becoming Force-users by their mere existence as living beings, theoretically. However, if they are too primitive and lack the knowledge of the Force, then they are less likely to become Force-users in Star Wars. But there are Wookiee Jedi, and their culture is similar to the Ewoks, so the potential is evident. Han Solo on Ewoks:
Well, short help is better than no help at all.
When exposed to advanced technology, Ewoks are shown to be quick learners despite their primitive ways. Therefore, grasping an understanding of the Force shouldn’t be too difficult for them. Perhaps the Ewoks simply haven’t had their time to shine as Force-sensitives, story-wise. With a growing popularity of cute and cuddly Force-users, such as The Mandalorian’s Din Grogu (also referred to by fans as Baby Yoda), the Ewoks could find themselves among that group. That said, there is an unidentified Ewok Jedi in the non-canon Star Wars Legends.
The Ewok Jedi Knight In Star Wars
The 2004 book Geonosis and the Outer Rim Worlds, accompanied the Star Wars Roleplaying Game. It featured the tale of an Ewok Jedi Knight who wielded a lightsaber and used the Force to free their people from oppression. It’s a brief but welcome addition to the collection of Jedi tales of underrepresented cultures in Star Wars. Hopefully, this Ewok history will find its way into live-action Star Wars projects with more Force-sensitive Ewoks to follow.
Like the witches in Star Wars, the Ewok shamans and healers would be great Force-sensitives who could serve a role adjacent to the Jedi. Not all Force-sensitives use their abilities for self-defense or violence. The Force can be used in many ways, and has been illustrated as such among different cultures. A potential Ewok Force-user could therefore use the Force in a way that’s more appropriate for their culture. Force-healing and magic are less-featured abilities that could be a specialty among Ewoks. This would give them a specific role in the franchise that would increase their presence as well. They would bring an intriguing, yet balancing, contrast to the witches and Wookiees of Star Wars.
Ewoks are more than just dangerously cute, and could serve along with other Force-users if given the chance. The support as allies of the Rebels demonstrated their competence and skills. It is unlikely that, after many decades fighting alongside and interacting with Jedi, the Ewoks are completely unaware of the Force and its capabilities. Having the Force become a part of their culture invites this same opportunity for other non-humanoid Force-sensitives in Star Wars. As Yoda has proven, the Ewoks’ small stature shouldn’t preclude them from being powerful Force-sensitives.