Naboo

Naboo
Naboo
Star Wars location
	Artistic representation of the planet.
First appearance	The Phantom Menace (1999)
Last appearance	Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Created by	George Lucas
Genre	Science fiction
In-universe information
Type	Planet
Race(s)	Elders (ancient lost human civilization); Human (Naboo people); Gungan;
Characters	Padmé Amidala; Emperor Palpatine; Jar Jar Binks;
Moon(s)	3

Naboo is a fictional planet in the Star Wars universe. A bountiful Earth-like planet with a mostly green terrain, the planet was the homeworld of two independent societies: the native Gungans, who dwelt in underwater cities, and the human Naboo, who lived in colonies dispersed across the surface. The human denizens of Naboo, known simply as the Naboo, were governed under an elective monarchy and maintained a peaceful culture that promoted education, the arts, environmental protection and scientific achievements. The primary Naboo city was Theed, the planetary capital, and the primary Gungan city was Otoh Gunga. Naboo is known to be orbited by three moons: within the current canon, Naboo's moons are known as Ohma-D'un, Onoam, and Veruna; while in Legends, Naboo was known to be orbited by the moons Ohma-D'un (home to a Gungan colony), Rori (home to a Naboo colony), and the icy moon Tasia (named for Queen Elsinoré den Tasia of Grizmallt).

Located in the Chommell sector, Naboo is the home planet of Senator Padmé Amidala and Representative Jar Jar Binks, as well as Senator (later Supreme Chancellor and then Emperor) Palpatine. In Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, it was the site of a blockade by the Trade Federation and the Battle of Naboo between the Federation and the native inhabitants. Naboo is seen in four films in the Star Wars series, having a prominent role in the first two prequels and glimpsed briefly in Revenge of the Sith and the 2004 DVD release of Return of the Jedi.

Theed's architecture, while referencing Ancient Rome and other classical traditions, was heavily inspired by the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Marin County Civic Center in California, located near Skywalker Ranch and Industrial Light & Magic.^[1] The swamps of Naboo are home to many species of creatures including the massive Opee Sea Killer in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.

Geographic features

The surface of Naboo features dense swamps, rolling grass plains, and verdant hills. Underneath the planet's surface is a tremendous maze of underwater passages and caves that are so deep that they go right through the planet. The caverns are home to immense aquatic animals and creatures that are never seen on the surface. The amphibious Gungans dominate these 'under waterways', using them as a highway of sorts between their surface Holy Places and their underwater cities.

History

A pre-Gungan humanoid civilization inhabited Naboo's surface tens of thousands of years ago, leaving behind monuments and ruins scattered throughout the planet, which Gungans view as sacred.

Naboo during the Old Republic and the Rise of the Empire

In 1,000 BBY a crisis led to a large scale conflict engulfing all the human Naboo city states, though there was no evidence of Gungan participation. Theed's King, Jafan, ended the conflict, uniting all Nabooans under his leadership by 830 BBY. Jafan ushered in the "Great Time of Peace" and Theed became the Royal Capital, eclipsing Deeja Peak. Still provincial and little-populated, the Naboo remained wary of off-world influences. Under the Jafan dynasty, Theed became a showplace of decorative architecture and dazzling craftsmanship, such as the Naboo Royal Starship and the royal palace at Theed. (Note: the Theed royal palace in the films is a detailed physical miniature model and sometimes computer generated exterior, but the interior was filmed at Caserta Palace in Italy). The forecourt to the palace features statues of Naboo philosophers. The Jafan Dynasty reigned as hereditary rulers until the last of their line expired (circa 150 BBY). Since then the position of monarch has been an elected post, with a fluid constitution that would allow for hereditary rulership to be vested in a noble dynasty if the people so desired.

By King Veruna's reign, 47 BBY, Naboo had become a major player in the galactic plasma energy trade market. Long known as a source of plasma (the energy source that powers everything from simple lights on Queen Amidala's robes, to great Gungan underwater cities and capital starships), high grade plasma veins were discovered below the streets of Theed. This led King Veruna (47–30 BBY) and (then) Senator Palpatine to build a great plasma mining and refining facility in the heart of the capital. The Banking Guild financed the construction. As the Naboo traditionally held an aversion to off world trade they agreed to have the powerful Trade Federation buy the plasma at a fixed price. The Federation however took advantage of the Naboo's lack of interstellar commercial experience and sold the plasma for greatly marked-up prices — selling the Naboo short.

King Veruna, recognizing the impending military conflict, expanded the Space Fighter Corps and organized the N-1 starfighter squadron. The Theed Hangar was constructed next to the refining station to accommodate the new military forces. Despite being perceived as a provocative measure, especially by Senator Palpatine, this decision was made in response to the Naboo's protests against the trade agreement with the Federation. With the people and the senator unhappy with his military expansion, Veruna was forced to abdicate in favor of the Princess Padmé Naberrie. Later, Veruna would be assassinated while in exile. Taking Amidala as her Name of State, the young Queen, Padmé, promised to end the conflict without violence. Once in power Queen Amidala opened negotiations with the Trade Federation. However, the Federation was scandalized by Naboo's resistance to its authority, which coincided with a Galactic Republic Senate tax on interstellar trade. Both actions were perceived by Federation leadership as threatening to their commercial interests and power. The Federation answered with a military blockade of Naboo, with the aim of forcing Naboo into subservience and to hopefully intimidate the Senate into repealing the taxation measure. The Federation leadership was secretly advised, and manipulated, by the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

The Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi were sent to mediate, but were unsuccessful. Naboo fell quickly; though they had a powerful Armed Corps, the Royal Advisory Council held off action until all negotiations failed. The Naboo government and citizens were captured and were to be held in detention camps outside the cities. Soon rescued by Jinn and Kenobi, Queen Amidala left Naboo to personally seek aid in the Galactic Senate. Captain Panaka and others were to organize a resistance movement in the meantime.

Once on Coruscant, Queen Amidala addressed the senate. The Federation had powerful and rich allies, and all the Queen could do was to call for a "Vote of No Confidence" in the senate leadership of Supreme Chancellor Valorum. In this she hoped to force a change for a more favorable chancellorship. The Queen returned to her homeworld to lead the resistance herself. Upon returning home, Queen Amidala sought the help of the reclusive Gungans, urging joint action against the common enemy. The Gungans agreed to form an alliance and led an army against the Federation's mechanical forces. Captain Panaka organized the Space Fighter Corps, launching a final effort against the Federation capital ship. The Fighter Corps successfully destroyed the Trade Federation capital ship, deactivating all B1 Battle Droids, and capturing Trade Federation leaders Nute Gunray and Rune Haako. Qui-Gon Jinn lost his life during the battle, but the Naboo and Gungan Alliance ultimately triumphed over the Federation. In recognition of her heroic efforts, the Naboo people proposed amending the constitution to allow Padmé Amidala, and possibly her heirs, to reign for life. Padmé Amidala declined the honor.

After serving the maximum two 4-year terms, Padmé Amidala was replaced by Queen Jamillia (24–20 BBY). Jamillia asked for Padmé Amidala to continue serving Naboo as its Senator. Padmé Amidala "couldn't refuse the Queen", and returned to politics after a brief respite. Jar Jar Binks was also appointed as the alternate Senator, becoming the first Gungan to represent the planet of Naboo. Most of the prejudices of both species disappeared when Amidala and Boss Nass managed to unite both species during the Battle of Naboo.

Galactic Republic Senate politics was a new forum for Padmé Amidala. In the meantime Palpatine, a Nabooan himself, remained Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, and his hard-line stances were generally supported by a Naboo still rebuilding after occupation. Many on Naboo and in the Galactic Senate desired a centralized executive, but Padmé Amidala consistently voted against the Military Creation Act. This act would have empowered the Senate to establish a standing military to serve under the discretion of the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic. Padmé Amidala, however, was outmaneuvered and — after a proposal by Representative Jar Jar Binks' for the granting of "emergency powers" to the Chancellor — a military was created to counter the Separatist movement. During the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems (including the Trade Federation) launched an unsuccessful campaign of invasion and conquest against Naboo.

Imperial Naboo

After the rise of the Empire, Queen Apailana openly opposed the new regime. When diplomatic negotiations between Naboo and the Empire proved unsuccessful, Apailana considered military options and provided refuge to Jedi, violating Order 66. Subsequently, she was assassinated by the elite 501st Legion, also known as Vader's Fist, solidifying Imperial control over the planet.

In years to come, the Naboo would generally support the positions of Chancellor and later Emperor Palpatine, including the establishment of the Empire, thus becoming an Imperial satellite state. Many Naboo would serve in the Imperial Services and Captain Panaka would become an aide to the Emperor, and later it would become Imperial Naboo.

Popular Queen Kylantha would reign throughout the Imperial years. Kylantha appointed Padmé Amidala's niece, Pooja Naberrie, to the Imperial Senate. There, Pooja would be a contemporary of her cousin, Princess Leia of Alderaan, but they would not know of each other's biological relationship until 36 years after the Battle of Yavin. Kylantha was not a supporter of the old Republic, but neither was she an Imperial proponent. Kylantha refused to alter the democratic structure of the Naboo constitution. It is believed Kylantha was secretly pro-Rebellion, despite being appointed by the Empire after Apailana's assassination.

Star Wars: Shattered Empire reveals that shortly after the Battle of Endor, the Empire used a superweapon to negatively affect the planet's weather. Leia was visiting her mother's home world at the time of the attack.

Royal traditions

Names of state

Nabooans entering political life often adopt a "Name of State". This name is used for public occasions and represents the honor and dignity of the office one chooses. Padmé Naberrie adopted the anonymous Name of State "Amidala" when she became Princess of Theed (34-32 BBY) and later, Queen of the Naboo (32-24 BBY). Padmé retained the name Amidala when she became Naboo's Senator for the Galactic Republic (23-19 BBY).

Scar of Remembrance

The Scar of Remembrance is used as part of the ruler of the planet Naboo's make-up. It is a symbol of remembrance of the days before the "Great Time of Peace", which had been brought about by King Jafan, the ruler who united Naboo. Also worn by Naboo's monarchs as part of their makeup are the coloured twin cheek-spots of "Balance" and "Symmetry".

Known monarchs of Naboo

King Narmele (c. 2,000 BBY)
Queen Yarm (c. 500 years before Queen Amidala)
King Jafan (c. 532 BBY)
King Tapalo (65 BBY – 46 BBY)
King Veruna (47 BBY – 30 BBY)
Queen Amidala (32 BBY – 24 BBY)
Queen Jamillia (24 BBY – 22 BBY)
Queen Neeyutnee (22 BBY – 20 BBY) - Clone Wars Era
Queen Apailana (20 BBY – 18 BBY)
Queen Kylantha (18 BBY – throughout the Imperial era)
Queen Sosha Soruna (4 ABY -)

Known senators of Naboo

Senator Vidar Kim (? BBY – 52 BBY)
Senator Palpatine (52 BBY – 32 BBY)
Senator Padmé Amidala (22 BBY – 19 BBY)
Senator Jar Jar Binks (19 BBY – 6 BBY)
Senator Pooja Naberrie (6 BBY– 0 BBY)
Senator Thadlé Berenko (? ABY - 34 ABY)

Moons of Naboo

Canon

2 moons in appearance.

Onoam

No-one knows of Onoam's orbital position, but it was known to host second homes to Sector Governor Quarsh Panaka and Queen Dalné. Later, Senator Leia Organa came and established a mine. The Grid Coordinates were 0-17, but no-one knows its XYZ coordinates.

Appearances

Theme park attraction

Naboo also appeared in the theme park attraction Star Tours - The Adventures Continue in Disney's Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida and Disneyland Park in Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

References

^ "Was Star Wars' Naboo secretly designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?". 8 January 2017.

External links

Naboo in the StarWars.com Databank
Naboo on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki

[1] "Was Star Wars' Naboo secretly designed by Frank Lloyd Wright?". 8 January 2017.

[1]