Matoran

Matoran were the chosen species of the Matoran Universe's protector, the Great Spirit Mata Nui. They were the most important race in the universe. Although not one of Bionicle's strongest races, Matoran were the most common and possibly the most influential, seeing as almost all intelligent beings spoke the Matoran language.

Physical Characteristics
Matoran were small, biomechanical beings. Like all the other things in the Matoran Universe, they were made of protodermis. They wore powerless Kanohi masks, that kept them functioning and healthy; a Matoran who lost his or her mask would quickly go into a coma-like state until a mask was replaced on their face. It is said if a mask is not put on a Matoran, that Matoran would die. Also a Krana works just as well instead of a mask although the wearer then becomes corrupted. They didn't have the mental strength to activate the powers that Great and Noble level Kanohi held, but if they wore such masks, they could sense that power was present. Matoran also had a little bit of power of a natural element; just enough to influence their physical abilities. For example, Ta-Matoran were attributed to the element of fire, and could endure heat better than other Matoran. Unless they were mutated, the Matoran always wore colors, that corresponded to their element (Ta-Matoran were usually red, etc.); a notable exception are the Av-Matoran, who had the power to change their colors at will. The Matoran also had to reacharge their energy every now and then, in on of the two ways; they either went to a power station of sorts and recharged once a year or so, or they "ate" by getting energy from objects like fruit, berries and fish. Gender differences were psychological only. Certain destined Matoran had special power hidden within them and when it was unleashed, the Matoran transformed into a Toa, with increased physical strength and elemental power. This power could be triggerd in different ways, for example giving the Matoran Toa Energy, or the light of the Red Star, but if they are not destined they can not become Toa.

Beliefs
The Matoran usually worshiped the Great Spirit Mata Nui and the Great Beings. The Turaga often told them the Legend of Mata Nui, which is a vauge interpretation of what really happened. The Matoran had a work based culture and upheld many virtues, primarily Unity, Duty and Destiny.

Sports
The Matoran often engaged in sporting activities. For example, a major sport in Metru Nui was Akilini.

Language
The Matoran speak the language created for them by the Great Beings. However, the Le-Matoran have created a slang called treespeak, which combines words into one. Treespeak has also spread to other Matoran.

Types
Matoran were classified by whichever element they were affiliated with. Each type had a job, based on their atribute, to help keep the universe in balance. Although several were identified, though there are more in existence; we know this because Matoran didn't change elemental type upon becoming Toa, yet there were Toa of other elements besides the main six:
 * Ta-Matoran - Matoran of Fire had a natural resistance to extreme heat and tended to be diligent and responsible.
 * Ga-Matoran - Matoran of Water had better lung capacity. They were peaceful and friendly and exclusively female.
 * Le-Matoran - Matoran of Air had heightened agility and reflexes. They loved thrills, leading them to take crazy risks; they also enjoyed a good practical joke.
 * Po-Matoran - Matoran of Stone had great physical strength. They were down-to-earth and practical, not putting too much stock in what they couldn't see and touch.
 * Onu-Matoran - Matoran of Earth had increased strength and night vision and could easily be blinded by bright lights. They had a great respect for the past.
 * Ko-Matoran - Matoran of Ice had a natural resistance to extreme cold. They were quiet to the point of being antisocial, and spent a lot of time being pondering the future.
 * Av-Matoran - Matoran of Light were the first type of Matoran to be created. They had the ability to change their armor color and could shoot small light bolts from speical energy swords. They could be either male or female.
 * Fe-Matoran - Matoran of Iron had enhanced endurance, and metal working skills.
 * Shadow Matoran - Although not a natural Matoran element, Shadow Matoran were Matoran that had been drained of their light. They were evil and could shoot shadow bolts.
 * De-Matoran - Matoran of Sonics are extremely sensitive to sound.
 * Matoran of Plasma
 * Matoran of Plantlife
 * Matoran of Magnetism
 * Matoran of Lightning
 * Matoran of Gravity

Matoran Nui
Like Toa and other Bionicle creatures, Matoran had the ability to combine into a single being, with a six-member combination called a Matoran Nui. This had been known to happen twice:


 * Nuhrii, Vhisola, Orkahm, Ahkmou, Tehutti, and Ehrye formed a Matoran Nui to fight off the Morbuzakh, allowing the Toa Metru to reach its King Root.
 * Jaller, Macku, Kongu, Hewkii, Onepu, and Matoro also made a Matoran Nui once on Mata Nui to fight a Nui-Jaga scorpion.

Trivia

 * The Matoran were originally called Tohunga. They were called Tohunga throughout Mata Nui Online Game and the GameBoy Advance game, Bionicle: Tales of the Tohunga. Following the Maori lawsuit on LEGO in 2001,this had to be changed. In Mata Nui Online Game, the name was changed into Matoran, in the new version, and the GameBoy Advance games title was changed to Bionicle: Quest for the Toa.
 * The Toa and Turaga are part of the Matoran species.