Origins of Hobbits - are they Eruhini? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galin · 11-09-2010, 07:57 AM

For myself, I take Hobbits to be a diminutive branch of humanity without evolving into Hobbits. In other words, I think they were short and hairy-footed from the beginning. They seem to have been 'gentle' from early on, at least, as Tolkien notes:

Quote:

'In their unrecorded past they must have been a primitive, indeed 'savage' people*...'

*In the original sense of 'savage'; they were by nature of gentle disposition, neither cruel or vindictive.' JRRT, Of Dwarves And Men

In any case, if they were always basically 'Hobbits', they did change somewhat in size over time, and diverged in ways, considering the Harfoots and Stoors for example. As a branch of humanity, the Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings (at least) see themselves as distinct from Men, or the Big Folk, but they are mortal and leave the Circles of the World when they die (based on letter 325 for example).

Rumil · 11-09-2010, 03:58 PM

Flores?

Galadriel55 · 11-10-2010, 05:32 PM

Could hobbits, perhaps, be some humans who did not cross Ered Luin in the Sil? They could have been short from the start - there are white and dark humans, so why hot short ones?

Mithalwen · 11-11-2010, 06:48 AM

There are pygmy peoples in our own world still.

11-09-2010, 03:58 PM	#2
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	Flores? __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

11-10-2010, 05:32 PM	#3
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,527	Could hobbits, perhaps, be some humans who did not cross Ered Luin in the Sil? They could have been short from the start - there are white and dark humans, so why hot short ones? __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

11-11-2010, 06:48 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	There are pygmy peoples in our own world still. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace