MovieChat Forums > Eragon (2006) Discussion > I'm going to be accused of being racist

I'm going to be accused of being racist

posted 12 years ago by FletcherofLocksley
13 replies | jump to latest

but I'm still going to ask the question.

Are Nasuada and Ajihad described as black characters in the books? I think Ajihad is an amazing bada** in the movie!

Geronimo

[–] bcross11 12 years ago

Yes they are described as dark skinned people. And are apparently very rare in live in few areas for people are always confused when seeing them for the first time and stare at them.

As described in the book it's probably like the Indians seeing white man for the first time.

[–] yusef-ghanima 11 years ago

dark skin is not black, black is black. prince casbian turned the arabs into spanish, and this turned them into africans. interesting.

[–] cabal24 10 years ago

Based on the description of them in the book, I also pictured them as black. Like really dark black.

[–] yusef-ghanima 10 years ago

then is it the movie that turned them arabs in custom?

[–] cabal24 10 years ago

It was probably just the movie. That thing had the potential of being good. It was a big turd as has been said multiple times.

[–] mega_duex 10 years ago

actually, i'm sure somewhere in the book, either ajihad, or Nasuada were described as having jet black skin...so, yea black was alway the intended skin color as far as i can tell.

but the movie had so many things wrong, while i enjoyed the books(but prefer more original tales such as name of the wind) the movie was nearly vomit inducing.

[–] yusef-ghanima 10 years ago

doesn't ajihad strikes you as very similar to al-jihad?

[–] Zenkai76 10 years ago

They are described has "oiled ebony" Ebony is a dark shade, not jet black so they could of well be the same shade as an Arabian, which would make more sense since they are out in the desert

-People sure do get angry if you don't like the same things they do

[–] Zenkai76 10 years ago

I thought of him as Ababian, or at least that is what I pictured, and that to me makes more sense because thats the skin tones you find in the desert.

"His skin gleamed the color of oiled ebony. The dome of his head was shaved bare, but a closely trimmed black beard covered his chin and upper lip. Strong features shadowed his face, and grave, intelligent eyes lurked under his brow. His shoulders were broad and powerful, emphasized by a tapered red vest embroidered with gold thread and clasped over a rich purple shirt. He bore himself with great dignity, exuding an intense, commanding air. "

At the same time it didn't bother me as black because I could see that too, but he was lacking the beard

-People sure do get angry if you don't like the same things they do

[–] mattiasflgrtll6 10 years ago

Jesus, people think EVERYTHING is racist nowadays, don't they?

[–] Prismark10 10 years ago

Probably is when you have an ongoing thread is how black is dark!

Its that man again!!

[–] goldpink23 9 years ago

@Prismark10. 

[–] DameBirdie 9 years ago

Nasuada and Ajihad are supposed to be black, yes. Not Arabian, African. Later on in the books Nasuada has been described as having hair that's "moss like" which was the only way they knew how to describe natural curly-kinky hair. And when discussing who should play who if there ever is a remake or new version of Eragon, Christopher Paolini said that he would want Idris Alba to play Ajihad.