During the first Star Wars film, Obi-Wan is able to scare off a group of Tusken Raiders. The group is planning to attack Luke, who is passed out. Many fans wonder, why were the Tusken Raiders scared of Obi-Wan? And how did he scare them?
The Tusken Raiders were scared of Obi-Wan because he mimicked a creature’s sound. Some theorize he might a Krayt Dragon sound, a creature later introduced in the series to live on Tatooine, but at the time it was likely just any generic animal.
The Raiders likely fled because they were unsure of what creature was approaching.
Potential reasons why the Tusken Raiders were scared of Obi-Wan
First, some context. Tusken Raiders, known commonly as “Sand People,” make up the local demographic on Tatooine. They’ve lived on the sand-filled planet for many centuries, and are known to be aggressive to outsiders. During this particular scene, Luke is knocked out by Tuskens while searching for R2-D2. Obi-Wan, who’s been hiding in the caves and witnessed the confrontation, helps Luke.
So why were the Raiders scared of Obi-Wan? There’s a few theories. One, it’s possible that they were intimidated by his reputation as a Jedi. Tusken Raiders may have seen Obi-Wan as a threat and decided to retreat rather than face him.
The likely explanation, however, is that Obi-Wan scared them off with his strange, high-pitched noise. As previously mentioned, some think of this sound as a “Krayt Dragon Call,” but these creatures weren’t established on Tatooine until later in the Saga. Still, Obi-Wan convinces the Raiders that a creature is nearby and should be feared.
It’s worth noting that Obi-Wan’s use of the Krayt Dragon Call was not unique to him. It’s possible that the loud sound is commonly used amongst Raiders, as they are a vocal group by nature. However, Obi-Wan’s use of the call in this particular situation is significant because it showcases his quick thinking and resourcefulness in a dangerous situation.
In conclusion, the Tusken Raiders were likely scared of Obi-Wan because of his reputation as a powerful Jedi. Obi-Wan was able to scare them off by using a well-known tactic, the Krayt Dragon Call, to convince them that a dangerous predator was nearby.
So that’s the answer. The Tusken Raiders were scared of Obi-Wan because he mimicked a creature’s sound.