About dwarf women - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Findegil · 01-14-2005, 07:39 AM

Yes, Tolkien did state it clear and without doubt: female Dwarves had beards!
[“The History of Middle-Earth“; volume 11: “The War of the Jewels“; part II: “The Later Quenta Silmarillion”; chapter 13: “Concerning the Dwarves”]:

Quote:

The Naugrim were ever, as they still remain, short and squat in stature; they were deep-breasted, strong in the arm, and stout in the leg, and their beards were long. Indeed this strangeness they have that no Man nor Elf has ever seen a beardless Dwarf - unless he were shaven in mockery, and would then be more like to die of shame than of many other hurts that to us would seem more deadly. For the Naugrim have beards from the beginning of their lives, male and female alike; nor indeed can their womenkind be discerned by those of other race, be it in feature or in gait or in voice, nor in any wise save this: that they go not to war, and seldom save at direst need issue from their deep bowers and halls. It is said, also, that their womenkind are few, and that save their kings and chieftains few Dwarves ever wed; wherefore their race multiplied slowly, and now is dwindling.

And from what else we learn from that chapter, it is not so sure that Aule thought at all about female dwarves! And if he did not, than it was Ilúvatars fancy not to change even a hair at the making of the woman that he managed.

Respectfully
Findegil

Thinlómien · 01-14-2005, 08:35 AM

Okay then... Sounds disgusting but I can imagine that...

tar-ancalime · 01-14-2005, 12:40 PM

Quote:

For the Naugrim have beards from the beginning of their lives

Now this is the part that sounds strange to me--can you imagine trying to feed a bearded baby?

Formendacil · 01-14-2005, 01:15 PM

Hmm... forgot about that passage. You'd think it would stick in one's mind, especially after reading it as many times as I'm sure I have...

Okay, female dwarves have beards. I can handle that.

Still, I'm REALLY glad I'm not a dwarf....

Michael Wilhelmson · 01-16-2005, 08:59 AM

Sorry to bring it up, but I saw the ROTK extended movie, and there was a hilarious drinking game scene in Edoras. If you've can it, see it, for makes an amazing comment about this topic.

"IT IS THE DWARVES THAT GO SWIMMING- WITH LITTLE HAIRY WOMEN!!!"""""

01-14-2005, 08:35 AM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Thanks for answers Okay then... Sounds disgusting but I can imagine that...

01-14-2005, 01:15 PM	#4
Formendacil Dead Serious Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Perched on Thangorodrim's towers. Posts: 3,328	Hmm... forgot about that passage. You'd think it would stick in one's mind, especially after reading it as many times as I'm sure I have... Okay, female dwarves have beards. I can handle that. Still, I'm REALLY glad I'm not a dwarf.... __________________ I prefer history, true or feigned.

01-16-2005, 08:59 AM	#5
Michael Wilhelmson Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: IL Posts: 16	Sorry to bring it up, but I saw the ROTK extended movie, and there was a hilarious drinking game scene in Edoras. If you've can it, see it, for makes an amazing comment about this topic. "IT IS THE DWARVES THAT GO SWIMMING- WITH LITTLE HAIRY WOMEN!!!""""" __________________ Horseman of the plains