Turaga

Turaga were leaders of the Matoran and protectors of the legends of the Toa. Turaga came into being when Toa fulfilled their destiny and chose to sacrifice their Toa power for the greater good. This act led to the transformation of Toa to Turaga. Once a Toa transformed into a Turaga, he or she lost the ability ever to wield Toa power or use Great Masks again. Turaga were able to master Noble Masks and had limited elemental abilities. Physically, they were slightly stronger than Matoran, but they were nowhere near as powerful as Toa. Turaga were generally wise and competent leaders, but they also showed themselves to be capable of resentment, deception, and lack of trust.¹

Notes

Each of the six villages on Mata Nui was ruled by an elder called a Turaga. As the oldest and wisest member of the village, the Turaga's job was to be sure the ancient legends were not forgotten. The Turaga worked together to protect the knowledge of Mata Nui's past as well as the prophecies about its future.²

Since the Toa arrived on Mata Nui, the Turaga provided them with important information. The Toa learned about the Kanohi masks and the Bohrok swarms from the Turaga, and they came to rely on the Turaga's wisdom. However, it often seemed that the Turaga knew more than they were telling. There were caverns that they forbid any Matoran to enter, although they would not say why. Some of the Toa Nuva questioned why they were not told about the Bohrok before the swarms appeared on the island.³

To become a Turaga, a Toa had to fulfill his or her destiny and then willingly sacrifice his or her Toa power.^{4, 5}

To become a Turaga, a Toa needed to achieve his destiny and then be presented with an opportunity to sacrifice his Toa power. If the Toa sacrificed his power without achieving his destiny, he would not become a Turaga.⁶

In order to become a Turaga, a Toa must sacrifice their power for the greater good. They only got one opportunity to do this and if they chose not to, they would remain Toa forever.⁷

Turaga commonly wore Noble Kanohi Masks.⁸

A Toa transformed into a Turaga could still have a destiny as a Turaga.⁹

Turaga were able to create Matoran as needed. For example, if there were some massive project in a city that required more workers, Turaga could produce them.¹⁰

As far as we know, Turaga in general did not always have two Matoran aides like the Turaga on Mata Nui did.¹¹

Turaga were not able to handle the power level of a Great Mask.¹²

All Turaga were at one point Toa.¹³

A Turaga could never be as powerful as a Toa because they wouldn't have a Toa's level of elemental powers.¹⁴

On a scale of one to ten, a Turaga's elemental power would probably be represented by a one or two.¹⁵

Turaga were the ones who sent Matoran to Artakha and Karzahni.¹⁶

Like Toa, all Turaga were likely the same height.¹⁷

Most Matoran settlements were not set up so that all Matoran lived in one village with a Turaga who matched their element. That happened on Mata Nui because of the district setup on Metru Nui and the fact that there were six Turaga. Most Matoran cities were like Metru Nui, with only one Turaga.¹⁸

There was no story reason why the Turaga of Mata Nui were smaller in stature and had a different body shape from Dume.¹⁹

Turaga couldn't form a protodermic seal by combining powers like Toa could.²⁰

Other Information

• There was no storyline reason why the Toa Metru changed primary colors when they became Turaga but Lhikan didn't.²¹

List of Turaga

• Vakama
• Onewa
• Whenua
• Matau
• Nuju
• Nokama
• Dume
• Lhikan
• Jovan