Star Wars: Andor’s Aldhani and its Real-World Parallels

In this episode,Dr. Kenny Linden, an environmental and animal historian of Mongolia and Inner Asia, joins me to discuss the Disney+ Star Wars prequel seriesAndorand its real-world parallels to pastoralism and the treatment of pastoralists in Central and East Asia by state authorities. We talk about nomadism in the Star Wars universe, depictions of nomads in pop culture, and the planet Aldhani inAndoras a reflection of modern histories of pastoralism and nomad-state relations in Central and Inner Asia.

Maggie Freemanis a PhD student in the School of Architecture at MIT. She researches uses of architecture by nomadic peoples and historical interactions of nomads and empires, with a focus on the modern Middle East.