November 5, 2003

Ghan-buri-ghan Explained
Rune of Mirkwood

In answer to an already answered posting, I will elaborate further on this Chieftan of the Woses and what the Encyclopedia of Arda gives as far as it's explanation; by the way, this was an excellent question!

He was The Headman of the Woses of Drúadan Forest at the time of the War of the Ring. He aided the Rohirrim in their ride to the Battle of the Pelennor.

It is a name among the Rohirrim for the shy, secretive people known, in Elvish, as the Drúedain. Though never populous, the end of the Third Age saw these people reduced to a few populations in the southern parts of Middle-earth, especially in the Drúwaith Iaur and Drúadan Forest of Rohan, where the Rohirrim came into contact with them.

In fact, the word 'Wose' is a name from British folklore, referring to a hairy, troll-like being supposed to inhabit woods and forests. It represents Tolkien's translation of an actual word of the Rohirrim into ancient English; the Rohirrim themselves would not have called such a creature a 'wose', but a róg."

I cetainly learned something I didn't know before in researching this question! Hope this helps others in this Forum! Cannot wait until opening night, not too far away from us now in December!

Rune