Turaga

"Matoran into Toa, Toa into Turaga, Turaga into legend."

- Turaga Vakama, Legends of Metru Nui

A Turaga is the final form of a Matoran's life. After completing their respective Destiny, a Toa can sacrifice his or her Toa Power for the greater good and become a Turaga.

History
As with Toa, the first Turaga was created by the Great Beings already in the form of a Turaga, without having been a Toa or a Matoran beforehand. Turaga later came into existence as the final stage of a Matoran's life. A Toa could become a Turaga after they have completed their Destiny and given up their Toa Power. Turaga were deemed the wise leaders of Matoran, and directed the villagers while the Toa protected them.

One of the earliest Turaga, the Turaga of Lesovikk's homeland, was at one point driven insane, and shipped his entire Matoran population to the land of Karzahni.

A Toa named Jovan, whose team saved the life of Mata Nui, sacrificed his own Toa Power and became the Turaga of Voya Nui. Several other members of his team also gave up their Toa Power, and became Turaga in other regions of the universe. After the Great Cataclysm struck the Matoran Universe, Jovan was killed, and the Matoran of his area were forced to rely upon themselves for guidance.

Metru Nui has always had a Turaga to watch over it. During the Matoran Civil War, the Turaga was ineffective, and could not halt the fighting.

Around 15,000 years ago, a Toa of Fire named Dume was transformed into a Turaga, and made leader of Metru Nui. Dume led the Matoran for the next 14,000 years, defending it against Rahi attacks and Dark Hunter invasions until Makuta Teridax silently abducted and impersonated him as part of his plan.

Six Toa, after rescuing the Matoran of Metru Nui, completed their destiny and became Turaga. They led the Matoran of Mata Nui for the next thousand years, helping their villages defend against Rahi attacks and Teridax's harassment. The Turaga offered their wisdom to the Toa Mata, once they arrived on the island, though they withheld key information from them about Metru Nui. Upon returning to the city, they, along with the real Dume, became the leaders of Metru Nui. They were imprisoned in the Coliseum after Teridax's takeover the universe, and the traitorous Matoran Ahkmou took their place as the new "Turaga" during the remainder of Teridax's reign.

After the Great Spirit Robot was destroyed and Teridax killed during a battle, the surviving Turaga in the Matoran Universe emigrated to the newly reformed Spherus Magna.

Abilities and Traits
Turaga are usually wise beings, with years of experience of leading Matoran. Turaga are slightly stronger than the Matoran, but are much weaker than Toa. The elemental abilities of a Turaga are significantly weakened upon their transformation, although they can still conjure up small amounts of their elemental power. Despite the transformation, Turaga can still maintain the concentration necessary to activate and use Noble Kanohi.

Tools
Upon their transformation, a Toa's Great Kanohi is altered in shape and reduced in power to become a Noble Kanohi. Turaga usually carry a Badge of Office, a symbol of their leadership status. This tool is usually their Toa Tool transformed, though they have been known to fashion their own.

Fusions
A Turaga Nui is a legendary sage, said to be the combination of six Turaga. To date, one has never been formed. The Tools and Noble Kanohi of a Turaga Nui will depend on the fused Turaga.

Another type of being, called a Turaga Kaita, can be formed by the fusion of three Turaga, although Turaga Kaita have not been formed to date either. Both Turaga Kaita and Turaga Nui would have increased strength as a result of the merge.

Known Turaga

 * Vakama - Formerly the Toa Metru of Fire
 * Nokama - Formerly the Toa Metru of Water
 * Matau - Formerly the Toa Metru of Air
 * Onewa - Formerly the Toa Metru of Stone
 * Whenua - Formerly the Toa Metru of Earth
 * Nuju - Formerly the Toa Metru of Ice
 * Lhikan - Formerly the Toa Mangai of Fire - (Deceased)
 * Dume - Formerly a Toa of Fire
 * Jovan - Formerly a Toa of Magnetism - (Deceased)
 * The other members of Jovan's team, excluding the one that used the Kanohi Ignika
 * A Turaga, whose name is unknown, that argued with Vezok
 * A Turaga who fled from Lariska
 * A group of Turaga killed by Lurker
 * Turaga of Lesovikk's old homeland, who went insane and sent all the Matoran from that land to Karzahni - (Fate Unknown)
 * One or more Turaga on Tuyet's homeland - (Fate Unknown)
 * One or more Turaga who led Metru Nui during the Matoran Civil War
 * A Turaga on an island that Toa Mangai Naho swam to for reinforcements during the Toa/Dark Hunter War.
 * One or more Turaga who were created as Turaga and are the first Turaga in the Matoran Universe.
 * Three Turaga tied into a mission Vezok was assigned; a valuable tablet was also involved.

Social Structure and Interactions
Turaga are held in high regard by the Matoran and Toa, and the decisions they make are rarely disputed. Matoran rely on their Turaga for guidance, and Matoran settlements without them often have a hard time coping on their own. Other species do not always respect the Turaga, as they are not integrated with the Matoran society.

The Turaga are also a frequent target of the criminal organization known as the Dark Hunters. The Shadowed One, its leader, often sends his operatives to kidnap or kill Turaga, in order to destabilize their regions and earn a profit.

Set Information
Six Turaga sets were released in mid-2001 with the launch of the BIONICLE line, depicting the six Turaga who governed the island of Mata Nui. A lever on the back raised the set's right arm which carried the Turaga's Badge of Office. When the lever was released, a rubber band lowered the arm again. A Turaga Nui could be built using the parts of these six sets.

Four of these Turaga sets (Vakama, Matau, Nokama, and Nuju) were also released in a promotion for the Kabaya candy company. These sets were identical to the non-promotional versions of the sets, although instructions were included for a non-canon combiner model of the four sets.

In mid-2004, the Turaga Dume & Nivawk set was released, including a twenty-two piece Turaga Dume figure. Turaga Dume's noble Kanohi Kiril was included in a blend of black and bright red plastic.

Trivia

 * During Teridax's reign, the Matoran Ahkmou was named named as the new "Turaga" of Metru Nui, despite not being an actual Turaga. This was merely a title to show his position of power.