Haradrim

The Haradrim were a race of men who were proud and warlike warriors from Harad, a region located south of Gondor. They were famous for being the ancient enemies of the people of Gondor. The Haradrim were ruled by a lot of lords until Sauron was able to corrupt them. They became the most valuable human ally of Sauron. With Sauron as their master, they were able to spread their dominion from Harad to Umbar, Far Harad, and Near Harad. The Haradrim were called the “Southrons” by the Westrons. The Hobbits also once called them “Swertings.”​

The Haradrim’s ancestors were Men who awoke during the First Age. However, their group chose to separate from the Edain and remain in the East of Middle-Earth. The Edain settled in the West. The Haradrims established Harad, a region where the sun burned fiercely because there were barely any clouds. It could be possible that they were also related to the Swarthy Men who settled in Beleriand. During the Second Age, the Númenoreans founded a great city in the harbor of Umbar. The harbor was located on the southern side of the Bay of Belfalas, and it was very vast. Eventually, the city became a fortified citadel.

The tribes of Harad flourished within the city gates, and its people were known to be the Haradrim. The Haradrim were considered to be the most significant rival of Gondor. They have attempted to invade the north several times. During these battles, Gondor was able to capture Harad. However, they later freed the city. Sauron was able to escape the judgment of Valar during the Second Age, and he continued doing his master’s work by corrupting the minds of the Men of the East and South. Sauron was able to help these men build towns made out of stone, and the men were armed with iron. To these men, Sauron was a god.

At the time of the War of the Ring, the Haradrim fought by Sauron’s side. Faramir was wounded by a Haradrim warrior during the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. When the Rohirrim came to help the people of Minas Tirith, they had to face 18,000 Haradrim warriors led by a Haradrim chieftain that bore a black serpent symbol on a scarlet banner. It was Rohan’s King Théoden that was able to slay the Haradrim chieftain. After Sauron’s defeat, the Haradrim who dwelt in the western lands of Harad were conquered and submitted themselves under the rule of King Elessar (Aragorn). However, the Haradrim staying in their Eastern lands remained as an independent kingdom.​

The Haradrim were usually tall, with black hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. Because of this, they were usually called Swarthy Men or Swertings. The brown-skinned Haradrim came from Near Harad. The black-skinned Haradrim came from Far Harad and were sometimes likened to half-trolls. The Haradrim warriors often wear bright clothing that is decorated with gold ornaments. A typical outfit would be scarlet robes styled with gold corsets, collars, and earrings. The Haradrim warriors also braided their hair with gold. Some Haradrim tribes would even paint their bodies.

Red and scarlet were the colors being used for their body paint, clothes, banners, and the tip of their spears. Their shields had spikes on them and were in golden yellow and black colors. The Haradrim warriors were often equipped with a red scimitar. What made the Haradrim an impressive sight on the battlefield is that they used the giant Mûmakil beasts (Oliphaunts) in warfare. They have managed to tame these massive beasts and they were used on the battlefield. During the battle, the Mûmakil would be adorned in gold ornaments and scarlet clothing, just like the way the Haradrim were dressed.

The Mûmakil were huge enough to strap towers on their backs. The Haradrim spearmen and archers would attack their enemies from the towers. The Haradrims were also good horsemen, although not as good as the Riders of Rohirrim. The Haradrim are aware that horses are scared of the Mûmakil beasts. When they face enemies that are mounted, they often rallied around the Mûmakil beasts to distract the horses of their enemies. There is no doubt that the Haradrim were fierce, bold, and cruel warriors.​

There is not enough information in the books about the spoken tongue of the Haradrim. Men of Gondor would describe it as a language that made it seem like the shouts of creatures with a harsh tone. The only word recognized that belongs to the Haradrim’s language is “Mûmak,” which was the name of the Oliphaunts. According to Gandalf, Haradrim calls him a different name. He was known to them as “Incánus,” meaning North spy.​

In the Lord of the Rings Trilogy Movies by Peter Jackson, [1] the Haradrim were inspired by Kiribati and Aztec tribes. The bows they used were made of wood and antlers, and they used bamboo arrows and quivers. In the books, though, it was Théoden who killed the Haradrim chief, in the movies, the Haradrim leader was slain by Éomer.​