Tuatha'an

The Tuatha'an (Old Tongue for Traveling People) are a nomadic and pacifist people who travel across the Westlands in wagons. They are first introduced in season 1 of The Wheel of Time. The Tuatha'an are also sometimes referred to as Tinkers, but this term is possibly considered derogatory and used as an ethnic slur by outsiders.
After being separated from their companions, Egwene al'Vere and Perrin Aybara meet the Tuatha'an on their way to Tar Valon.
== Overview ==
The Tuatha'an are pacifists who follow the Way of the Leaf ideology. They never engage in violence, not even in the case of self-defense, and are strictly vegetarian.Official interactive map from Prime Video: The Wheel of Time, under the "Explore" section (login required), the section for the lore is labeled "Organizations". Retrieved November 19, 2021. 
The Tuatha'an are nomadic and travel in wagon caravans, and they do not belong to any one the Westland nations. Their wagons are painted bright colors, and they wear equally colorful and patterned clothing. They travel in search of "the song" which they believe can bring harmony to the world. The song was supposedly lost in the Breaking of the World.
Among outsiders, the Tuatha'an have a reputation as thieves and kidnappers. Outsiders might also refer to the Tuatha'an as Tinkers, but this term is likely considered derogatory and used as an ethnic slur; a Tuatha'an mentions that they're called Tinkers while also mentioning the unfounded reputation they have for stealing gold and children, and the only time a Tuatha'an is called a Tinker was by an antagonistic character during a confrontation.See also the Trivia section for real world usage as an ethnic slur.
At the age of twenty, young Tuatha'an leave their wagons to see the world, and not all of them return.Official timeline from Prime Video: The Wheel of Time, under the "Explore" section (login required). Retrieved November 19, 2021.
== History ==
The Tuatha'an believe that, in the Age of Legends, their people knew a Song that would unite the world in harmony. Their nomadic ways stem from their perpetual search for the Song.
=== Season 1 ===
After spending days in the Caralain Grass after leaving Shadar Logoth, Perrin Aybara and Egwene al'Vere find wagon tracks along the road. They scout the tracks for some time, and eventually come across the Tuatha'an, led by Ila, Raen, and Aram who introduce themselves to the youths in their custom. Perrin and Egwene are invited to their campsite. The Tuatha'an are surprised that the isolated youths from the Two Rivers have never heard of the Traveling People. 
The Two Rivers youths do not fully trust the Tuatha'an at first, though Ila tells Perrin of their pacifistic ways and her personal devotion to the Way of the Leaf, which moves him due to his grief for his accidental killing of his wife, Laila. Egwene is also intrigued by the ways of the Tuatha'an, and both she and Perrin become friends with Aram as the group travels to Tar Valon together.
After a month of traveling, the group approaches Tar Valon, but are stopped by the Children of the Light, who are looking for those who may have a connection with the False Dragon, Logain Ablar. The Tuatha'an know nothing, but their Questioner, Eamon Valda, notices Perrin and Egwene from an earlier encounter on the road to Whitebridge in the company of Moiraine Damodred. He demands that the Tuatha'an give them over to him, but they refuse, and link their arms together in protest of the Whitecloaks. Valda's party punches Ila across the face and starts to attack the Tuatha'an unarmed, while Aram attempts to take the two to a friendly village. However, Aram is knocked unconscious by a mounted Whitecloak, and Perrin and Egwene are captured.
== Known Tuatha'an ==
* Aram
* Ila
* Raen
* Sarai
== Quotes ==
== Trivia ==
* On October 27, 2021, showrunner Rage Judkins confirmed that the Tuatha'an would feature in season 1.IGN with Rafe Judkins, The Wheel of Time: Exclusive Trailer Breakdown with Showrunner Rafe Judkins - IGN First. October 27, 2021.
* Costume designer Isis Mussenden was inspired by the indigenous peoples of Peru for the Tuatha'an attire. The main colors of the Tuatha'an palette are gray and pink, which are not common in the other cultures of the Westlands.Bonus: The Wheel of Time - Season 1: "Look Inside" Episode 4. November 25, 2021.
* Their wagons were inspired by the wagons of the Romani people.See: Vardo (Romani wagon) and Romani people on Wikipedia.
* The Tuatha'an primarily speak with Irish accents. The Irish Travellers are one of the main inspirations for their culture.See: Irish Travellers on Wikipedia.
* In the real world, Tinker is an ethnic slur that is offensive to Irish Travellers, on which the Tuatha'an are partially based. In the books it is made clear that the Tuatha'an do not want to be called this. In the television series, Tinker is likely still being used as a slur as it's only been used once, by the character Eamon Valda who uses it in a mocking way during a confrontation.
== Changes from the book series ==
The Tuatha'an are adapted from the from the book series.
* Leaving at 20 - In the books, there is no common practice among the Tuatha'an to leave the wagons for a while, at any age.
* Common knowledge - In the books, Perrin and Egwene had both heard of the Tuatha'an before meeting them.
== References ==
Tuatha'an