Makuta (Species)

The name Makuta is a species name, as well as title, of the members of the Brotherhood of Makuta.

Makuta as a species
Around 100,000 years ago, the Makuta species were created by Mata Nui as the Brotherhood of Makuta, one of the known factions that used to serve the Great Spirit. All of the beings in the Makuta species are in the Brotherhood of Makuta, and all members of the Brotherhood are of the Makuta species.

All of the Makuta species can produce Kraata, and by extension, Rahkshi. They are also shapeshifters by nature, however, it requires a massive amount of energy to change form. Interestingly enough, the Makuta once had physical bodies, but evolved past the point of needing them. This evolution happened some time before the Makuta of Metru Nui revealed that his organization was evil, over 1300 years ago. This evolution to a state of pure energy encased in armor was a natural one, and gave many advantages to the Makuta. For example, because of their new, evolved form, the Makuta now don't need to sleep or get tired, and couldn't get wounded as often. The one weakness to being a state of pure energy is that if the shell is broken, then the essence of the Makuta will slowly leak out, as seen in Time Trap, when the Makuta of Metru Nui's armor was shattered, his 'true' form was shown, Antidermis. Makuta can apparently sense the presence of other Makuta, even if the other is not inside his/her armor.

There are only three known things that can break a Makuta's armor: Pridak's teeth, Ehlek's Tri-Talons or other Protosteel-made weapons, and the door/gate to Metru Nui.

There are also female members of the Brotherhood, and by extension, female Makuta.

Makuta as a title
Makuta as a title wasn't always seen as one, it evolved to this status over time. Because the Makuta as a species were a small group of very powerful beings that protected the Matoran, they were slowly referred to as "The Makuta." Thus over time, the name 'Makuta' became as much a title as a species name.