Taungni

Taungni, in the context of Mandalorian culture (specifically within the Legends continuity of Star Wars), refers to a species that predates the Mandalorians as we know them. They were the original inhabitants of Mandalore, a reptilian humanoid species known for their ferocity and warlike nature.

The Taung were led by Mandalore the First, who unified their clans and began a campaign of conquest across the galaxy. Their expansion led them to encounter and eventually conquer the native human population of Mandalore. Over time, the Taung and the humans intermixed, with the Taung culture dominating and shaping the identity of the Mandalorians.

A cataclysmic event known as the Mandalorian Wars (again, largely within the Legends continuity) nearly exterminated the Taung, although a small number survived. The survivors eventually integrated almost entirely into the Mandalorian culture, losing their distinct racial identity.

Therefore, "Taungni" typically refers to the species itself and/or their ancestral influence on the Mandalorian warrior culture, including their martial traditions and expansionist tendencies. The term is often used in discussions of Mandalorian history and the origins of their distinct customs and armor.