What are the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers in Star Wars?

Originally published March 28, 2025. This article covers the background of the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers of Dathomir in the Star Wars universe.

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Deep in space floats the remote planet Dathomir. It is awash in blood-red light due to its central star. The planet’s environment features overgrown vegetation, twisted trees with gnarled roots, and treacherous swamps. Many a creature has met its demise within this rough terrain. Yet Dathomir’s native inhabitants, Nightsisters and Nightbrothers, thrive in these harsh conditions. They are born and bred in a place that values power above all.

But who are these Dathomirian beings, and what role do they play in Star Wars™? Learn more about Nightsisters and Nightbrothers below.

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Nightsisters are witches from Dathomir

Uncle Owen calls Ben Kenobi a “wizard” in A New Hope™. But the real magick in Star Wars belongs to Dathomir’s witch clan. These ancient spellcasters harness dark energy from the Force to bend the world to their whims. They are a matriarchal society, meaning women rule unchallenged. Their order is extremely secretive as well, treating any outsiders with the utmost suspicion due to the sensitive nature of their occult practices. At the time of the Clone Wars, Mother Talzin leads the Nightsisters. But her affection for Asajj Ventress leads her to break the Nightsisters’ vow of isolationism. Sadly, this decision results in the Nightsisters’ total ruin.

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Asajj Ventress is a Nightsister

Since Asajj Ventress was born on Dathomir, she is naturally part of the Nightsister clan. But a pirate takes Asajj Ventress when she is an infant and Ventress does not return to her people until adulthood. By then, Asajj Ventress is a Sith apprentice as well as a Separatist assassin. Although she was originally trained by a Jedi, her Master’s death consumes her with vengeance. Harnessing that negativity, Count Dooku takes Asajj Ventress under his tutelage, but eventually betrays her.

Asajj Ventress turns to the Nightsisters for help. Unfortunately, Count Dooku has the full might of the Separatists on his side. He enlists General Grievous, a ruthless hunter who commands droid armies, to attack Dathomir. The droids destroy Dathomir and drive the witches to near-extinction. Asajj Ventress escapes with her life, but the emotional scars she bears haunt her for years to come.

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Nightbrothers are Zabrak warriors from Dathomir

Of course, the Nightsisters are not the only intelligent lifeforms on Dathomir. The women also govern a simple warrior society composed of male Zabraks. These beings have distinctive tattoos/facial markings and thorn-like horns protruding from their heads. When the Nightsisters desire a champion — or sacrifice — they pick from the Nightbrothers. Therefore, agility, acrobatics, strength, combat skills, and a general air of hostility are crucial trademarks of the species.

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Darth Maul is a Nightbrother (and so is Savage Opress!)

Did you know that Darth Maul and Asajj Ventress come from the same planet? Not only that, but Darth Maul used to be completely subservient to Asajj Ventress and the Nightsisters. But he rebels against the established order. Additionally, Darth Maul has a brother — a yellow Zabrak named Savage Opress — whose monstrous transformation at the magick hands of the Nightsisters partly inspires Maul’s mutiny.

In the end, Darth Maul and Savage Opress stand together as former Sith apprentices and leaders in the Shadow Collective. However, Dooku murders Savage Opress on Mandalore. This incident, among so many more of Maul’s losses, inform his vengeful and obsessive actions beyond the Clone Wars.

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Not all Nightsisters/Nightbrothers are Sith

Technically, the Nightsisters and Nightbrothers never declare allegiances with Sith or Jedi. Yet their dark ways are well suited for the path of the Sith. Asajj Ventress, Darth Maul, and Savage Opress all attempt to master the dark side of the Force after leaving Dathomir. The Nightsisters, specifically Morgan Elsbeth in Star Wars: Ahsoka™, assist Grand Admiral Thrawn in overtaking and ruling the galaxy. While Thrawn is also not Sith, he allies himself with the Empire, the foundations of which are built by Emperor Palpatine/Darth Sidious.

Meanwhile, Merrin from the Jedi: Fallen Order™ and Survivor™ video games eschews this evil stereotype. Although initially an antagonist, she eventually joins Cal Kestis’ crew aboard the Stinger Mantis. Merrin and the young Jedi travel the galaxy together in order to protect those hunted or harmed by Imperials. Similarly, Asajj Ventress also eventually turns toward a different calling, choosing not to align with the light or the dark. Instead, she works as a bounty hunter and even does some good now and again like training the Force-sensitive clone, Omega.

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Ultimately, the Nightsisters bring even more mystical elements to this science fiction franchise. Star Wars is no stranger to fantasy, often straddling the boundaries between genres. With their mysterious, magical presence, the Dathomirians add an interesting and dynamic layer to a galaxy far, far away. Their powers can help or hinder our heroes. Either way, it’s always exciting to watch.

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