Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1The Mandalorian season 3 premiere opens with a young Mandalorian reciting the Creed and being inducted as a true member of his clan. At first many viewers thought this was a flashback, because the Creed he was reciting was undoubtedly the same one Din Djarin swore to when he too was a child. This particular ceremony was swiftly interrupted, as though underlining the fact Mandalorians are not truly safe anywhere in the galaxy. Even when they are not persecuted by others, nature itself seems to conspire against them.
This interruption was deeply symbolic, and it is therefore quite striking that the Mandalorians were only saved by the timely arrival of Din Djarin and Grogu. It seemed to indicate the two will become defenders of the Mandalorian cause, of the ancient code the Mandalorians live by - even though Din is currently branded an apostate. He must conduct a ritual of redemption at the Living Waters of Mandalore, if he is ever to be welcomed into his tribe again. But this naturally raises the question of how others join the Way of the Mandalore, becoming part of this ancient community.
The Easiest Way Is To Be Born A Mandalorian
The simplest way to become a Mandalorian is to be born into the culture itself. As with most religions and belief systems, those who are brought up and raised within a certain faith are likely to continue doing so in adulthood. Such is the case with Mandalorians born into clans originating from Mandalore throughout most of the canonical galactic history. However, this likely became less common after the Empire was established - particularly after the Purge of Mandalore.
As seen in The Mandalorian season 3, episode 1, ceremonies are held when a member seemingly comes of age. Not unlike a baptism, the Mandalorian-to-be stands in water while reciting the Creed, dedicating their lives to the Mandalorian traditions as well as more zealous practices depending on the clan - in this case the Children of the Watch's commitment to never removing their helmets. The presentation of a helmet is a key moment in a Mandalorian's life, with more armor added over time.
The Mandalorians Bring Up Foundlings According To The Creed
The scattering of the clans after the Purge likely means the most common way Mandalorian numbers grow is now through bringing up Foundlings (orphans). By Creed, Mandalorians are required to either reunite a Foundling with their family - explaining Din Djarin's quest to take Grogu to the Jedi - or to raise them as their own, integrating them into their family and clan. Din Djarin himself was a Foundling, saved and raised by the Children of the Watch.
Mandalorian adoption is very significant in the established canon, and it was just as crucial in the non-canon Legends. There, it was the primary way in which someone became a Mandalorian, and it required an existing Mandalorian to choose someone to raise and train in accordance with the Resol'nare (the inspiration for the canon "Way of the Mandalore"). The Resol'nare carried six tenets to live by: the wearing of armor, speaking the Mando'a language, defending family, raising children as true Mandalorians, helping one's clan, and rallying when called upon by the ruling Mand'alor. In the current Star Wars canon, the Mand'alor would be the wielder of the sacred Mandalorian blade called the Darksaber.
Is It Possible For An Adult To Convert To Mandalorian?
It is possible adults could covert to the Mandalorian way of life, too, with adoption not limited just to children. Boba Fett's chain-code - seen in The Book of Boba Fett - confirmed Boba's father Jango was given his armor by a mentor, and it is heavily teased this was Jaster Mereel, the Mandalorian from Legends who trained Jango as a child. The Disney era has taken a slightly different approach, suggesting Jango was given his armor as an adult, hence Jaster's "mentor" designation rather than "father." Even for adults, though, it is likely a person would need to be chosen by a Mandalorian rather than choosing it for themselves. Hopefully more will be revealed about these adult converts as The Mandalorian season 3 continues.
New episodes of The Mandalorian release Wednesdays on Disney+.