hobbits

Hobbits are a fictional race in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth legendarium. They are small, humanlike beings who live primarily in rural communities. In Tolkien’s works they inhabit the Shire, a peaceful region in the northwest of Middle-earth, and are often called Halflings by others.

Physically, hobbits are about two to four feet tall. They have rounded faces, sturdy builds, and hairy feet with thick soles. They prefer simple clothing and homes built into hills or underground, known as hobbit-holes or smials, celebrating comfort and privacy over travel.

Society and culture emphasize farming, hospitality, and good cheer. Hobbits enjoy meals at close intervals, prefer quiet social gatherings, storytelling, songs, and gardening. They are generally cautious, averse to adventures, yet capable of courage when their homeland or kin are threatened.

The Shire, a largely self-governing area, is divided into quarters called farthings. Local leadership traditionally passes through a Thain or, later, a Mayor. Towns such as Hobbiton and Michel Delving, and the agricultural countryside around them, define Hobbit life; Bree and the Brandywine region lie nearby.

Language-wise, they use Westron as the Common Speech, with distinctive dialects and naming practices. Notable hobbits include Bilbo Baggins, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took, whose adventures in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are central to Hobbit lore.

Impact: Hobbits have become iconic in modern fantasy, influencing literature, film adaptations, and popular culture by presenting a detailed, relatable portrayal of a quiet, agrarian culture navigating extraordinary events.