mangland

Mangland refers to a fictional or conceptual realm often associated with the works of British author J.R.R. Tolkien, particularly within the context of his unpublished writings and the broader lore of Middle-earth. The term appears to have been coined by Tolkien’s son, Christopher Tolkien, in his editorial work on *The History of Middle-earth* series, where it describes a mythical land inhabited by the ancient race of the Maiar, particularly the Valar and Balrogs, before their involvement in the affairs of the world.

In Tolkien’s unpublished manuscripts, Mangland is depicted as a primordial realm existing beyond the confines of Arda, the created universe. It is said to be a place of vast, untamed wilderness, where the Maiar—powerful spirits of divine or near-divine nature—resided before their descent into Middle-earth. The name itself may derive from the Elvish *Mangwë*, meaning "the Great Wind," reflecting the chaotic and elemental nature of the land. Some interpretations suggest Mangland could also symbolize a liminal space between the divine and the material, a realm of raw, unformed power.

While Mangland is not a central element in Tolkien’s published works, it has gained attention among scholars and fans of his legendarium due to its role in exploring the origins of the Valar and their relationship to the cosmos. The concept aligns with Tolkien’s broader themes of creation, fall, and the struggle between order and chaos. Its mention in later editions of *The Silmarillion* and related texts has sparked discussions about its potential influence on later Middle-earth mythology, though its exact significance remains open to interpretation.

Beyond Tolkien’s works, the term has occasionally been used in broader fantasy discussions to describe a mythic, untamed land of supernatural beings, though it lacks a definitive place in mainstream literature or folklore. Its enduring appeal lies in its evocation of a lost, primordial world, inviting speculation about the nature of divine existence before the shaping of Arda.