Southrons

The Haradrim or Southrons are a race of Men in Middle-earth, the fantasy world created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The lands of the Haradrim lie to the south of Gondor past the river Harnen. The Haradrim are said to be skilled archers and horsemen, and to have swarthy skin.

During the Second Age the Men of Númenor built a great city in the firth of Umbar, a vast natural harbour on the southern shores of the Bay of Belfalas, eventually turning the city into a fortified citadel from whose gates the Men of Númenor could levy great tributes upon many of the tribes of Harad.

At the Battle of the Pelennor Fields the Haradrim cavalry were led by a chieftain bearing the standard of a black serpent on a red field. King Theoden of Rohan slew this unnamed Haradrim leader in single combat.

At the time of the War of the Ring, the Southrons were in league with Sauron and fought alongside his orc army, riding atop gigantic, elephant-like mûmakil. Once Sauron was destroyed, the Southrons submitted to the rule of King Elessar.

Their appearance is somewhat ambiguos, but The Two Towers gives a detailed description of a slain Haradrim warrior that Frodo and Sam encounter. He is described as having brown skin, with black hair that is braided with gold. He wore a scarlet tunic, as did the other warriors, and a gold collar. His weapon and armour are simply described as a sword and a corslet of brazen plate. This suggests that the Haradrim are similar to Africans.