Every Star Wars Species Introduced In The Mos Eisley Cantina Explained
The Mos Eisley Cantina is one of the most memorable locales in 1977’s Star Wars (now known as A New Hope), having introduced numerous alien species to the franchise. A New Hope initially has few sapient beings, starting out with humans and droids but soon introducing Tatooine’s Jawas and Tusken Raiders. Once Luke Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi enter Mos Eisley’s famous cantina, however, a multitude of transients of various species are shown, expanding the Star Wars galaxy.
The Mos Eisley Cantina – also known as Chalmun’s Spaceport Cantina – is a popular establishment, frequented by Mos Eisley’s smugglers, criminals, mercenaries, and other unscrupulous figures. The Cantina’s owner – the wookiee Chalmun – is not seen in live-action, but his employees, which include the daytime bartender Wuher, the night shift bartender Ackmena, and the bouncer Tork, are seen in both A New Hope and The Star Wars Holiday Special. A New Hope’s Cantina sequence introduces over 30 species to the Star Wars mythos, with most continuing to appear in the franchise to this day.
34 Abyssin
Fearsome Tusken Raiders
The short-tempered brawler Myo is the first Abyssin seen in the Star Wars franchise. Like all other Abyssins, Myo is cycloptic and possesses regenerative abilities, making him particularly dangerous in the fights he was all too eager to start. Most recently, the Abyssin Gor Karesh played a small role in The Mandalorian season 2, episode 1.
33 Advozse
Bird-like Humanoids
The hairless, single-horned, Advozse species call the hazardous and volcanic Mid Rim world of Riflor home. The widely disliked and highly amoral mercenary Bom Vimdin is the first Advozse seen in Star Wars. Many others, however, would appear throughout the franchise, often as warlords or criminals.
32 Anzat
Force-Sensitive Predators
The seemingly unassuming humanoid Dannik Jerriko can be seen smoking a pipe in A New Hope’s Cantina sequence. While ostensibly human, Jerriko is an Anzat, a vampiric species with two hidden probosces on their cheeks. Anzati are naturally Force-sensitive, with mind-controlling abilities and an affinity for drinking the brain matter of other species – with Anzati referring to the brain matter as “soup.”
31 Aqualish
Gills & Scales in Mos Eisley
The belligerent Aqualish Cantina patron Ponda Baba famously picked a fight with Luke Skywalker, costing him his arm, courtesy of Obi-Wan Kenobi. Although Baba conforms to the Aqualish stereotype of being a brutish thug, there are numerous Aqualish characters throughout both Star Wars continuities, with many defying the stereotype. Although villainous and corrupt, the former Republic senator Po Nudo became a key figure in the CIS, controlling the Hyper-Communications Cartel, the Separatist counterpart to the Republic’s Holonet.
30 Arcona
Tall, Slender Humanoids
The reptilian Arcona species is one of the first aliens shown in the Cantina. Arcona notably could become easily addicted to sodium chloride (table salt), with their eyes turning a gold color when they became addicted to the mineral. The Arcona Hem Dazon has visibly gold eyes in A New Hope, indicating his addiction.
29 Bimm
Small, Furry Cantina Dwellers
The easily-missed Rycar Ryjerd is a pilot trainer and smuggler seen at the bar in Chalmun’s Cantina. While seemingly human, Ryjerd is a member of the Bimm species, who are generally shorter than humans but have a notably longer lifespan. Rycar Ryjerd’s son, Rayc Ryjerd, appears in Return of the Jedi as an underling of Jabba the Hutt.
28 Bith
Blind Organ Players
One of the most memorable elements of the Mos Eisley Cantina is its diegetic music, played by the all-Bith cantina band Figrin D'an and the Modal Nodes. Bith quickly became stereotyped – both in-universe and among Star Wars viewers – as musicians, and while the species was indeed generally pacifistic and highly appreciative of art, there are plenty of examples of Bith who pursue other careers. The genius Rugess Nome – a renowned starship designer for the galactic elite – was secretly the Sith Lord Darth Tenebrous, who mentored Darth Plagueis and designed Darth Maul’s Sith Infiltrator.
27 Brizzit
Reptilian Smugglers
Another easily-missed background character in Chalmun’s Cantina is Tzizvvt. This blink-and-you'll-miss-it character is a fugitive who masquerades as an archeologist. Tzizvvt is a member of the insectoid Brizzit species, who have few appearances in the Star Wars franchise outside A New Hope.
26 Chadra-Fan
Four-Armed Traders
The small, bat-like, thief known as Kabe is visible in the Mos Eisley Cantina, eagerly drinking a juri juice. Kabe is a Chadra-Fan – a mechanically-inclined species from the aquatic Outer Rim planet of Chad. Other Chadra-Fan include Tekli and Tili Qua, who each became Jedi in the original Legends continuity’s New Jedi Order.
25 Defel
Bovine-like Aliens
The shadowy and wolf-like Defel known as Arleil Schous is one of the first beings shown in the Mos Eisley Cantina, though some footage of him is removed from A New Hope in its 1997 special edition. Defel had the unique ability to bend light around them, making many appear as little more than shadows.
Despite his intimidating appearance, however, Arleil Schous was an ally to the Rebel Alliance.
The elderly Arleil Schous struggled with this ability due to his age. Despite his intimidating appearance, however, Arleil Schous was an ally to the Rebel Alliance.
