Mumakil

Also known as Mûmakil

In J. R. R. Tolkien's epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings, an oliphaunt (known in Gondor as a mûmak, plural: mûmakil) is a giant elephant-like beast. They are encountered only as war elephants used by the army of the Haradrim. Tolkien borrowed the word from Middle English to give a rustic feeling to Sam Gamgee's speech. The beasts are first mentioned by Sam as he explains to Gollum what an oliphaunt is; he hopes to see one. His wish is fulfilled as he witnesses Faramir's ambush of a contingent from Harad in Ithilien. Several mûmakil take part in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.