Doda Bodonawieedo

Doda Bodonawieedo was a male Rodian slitherhorn (traz) player for the Max Rebo Band. He was also an information broker and was a part of the Shawpee street gang.

Biography

Bodonawieedo and performing "" — Bodonawieedo and Barquin D'an performing "Jedi Rocks"

As members of the Tetsu Clan, Doda's parents were forced to flee Rodia following their clan's declaration of extermination by the Rodian warlord Navik the Red. Five months after his parent's exodus, Doda was born on a transport shuttle bound for Tatooine. His family settled in Mos Eisley and opened a small laundry shop in the city's old quarter. Doda grew up in the streets of Mos Eisley where he met a human boy named Falk. The mischievous boy would rope Doda into plots to steal Ronto barbecue steaks from street vendors and to frock Jawas.^[2]

When Doda was ten years old, a bounty hunter killed his parents and burnt down their laundry shop home. Since Doda was born offworld after the Testsu Clan extermination order was decreed, his name was not on the bounty so the hunter spared him. The newly orphaned Doda plunged into a life of petty street crime, becoming one of the founding members of the Shawpee street gang alongside his friend Falk.^[3] As the Shawpee gang members grew older and formed ties with the Mos Eisley underworld, Doda distanced himself from their criminal activities and became a minstrel. While Doda's mother had taught him to hate Rodian culture, his father had trained him in several classical Rodian musical instruments. His music skills landed him many gigs, including Chalmun's Spaceport Cantina.^[2]

Doda and Falk eventually decided to leave the Shawpee Gang to seek greater fortunes in Jabba the Hutt's operation. Doda became the Gamorrean guard's favorite bard and played sabacc with the palace servants.^[1] Falk meanwhile worked as one of Bib Fortuna's runners and was executed when he was caught eavesdropping. Doda was nearly punished because of his close association with Falk, but fellow Tetsu Clan Rodian Greedo spoke on his behalf. Bib Fortuna replaced Falk with Doda and employed him as his runner when we wasn't performing. Jabba assigned Doda to play with the various bands that performed in the palace to keep an eye on them. When the Max Rebo Band arrived, Doda developed a strong camaraderie with its members, much to Jabba's displeasure. Doda was immediately entranced when he first saw Greeata Jendowanian, but the female Rodian was not interested and gently let him down. Hours before Jabba sailed off on his doomed trip to the Great Pit of Carkoon, Bib Fortuna sent Doda to Mos Eisley to deliver a love-letter to his mistress Onici Wen. After hearing of Jabba's death, he stole several priceless sculptures from the Hutt's town house and fled the planet. Among these statues were the Minstrel and the Dancing Goddesses, which he sold back to the people of Godo for an obscene price. He then sold the rest of the sculptures to an art collector on Tharkos and made a new life for himself on another world with the wealth.^[4]

Personality and traits

Bodonawieedo disliked traditional Rodian culture growing up, yet he had affinity for classical Rodian music. The Rodian had green skin, black eyes, and stood at 1.6 meters.^[1] Most who knew Doda quickly grew fond of his gentle and witty demeanor.^[4]

Skills and abilities

Bodonawieedo was a skilled player of wind instruments.^[1]

Behind the scenes

Doda was added to the extended musical number in the Special Edition of Return of the Jedi. He was portrayed by an uncredited Nelson Hall. Doda was made into an action figure in 1998.