Dwarves

Creatures > Dwarves

Most of what we know about Dwarven culture and customs is derived from Tolkien's writings concerning Durin's Folk, the Longbeard Dwarves of Khazad-dum, Erebor, and the Iron Hills. Durin's Folk were possibly the most outgoing of all the Dwarves, interacting with Elves, Men, and Hobbits to one degree or another. The Dwarves of Ered Luin (the Firebeards and Broadbeams) were also closely associated with Elves and probably interacted with Men in the Second and Third Ages as well as the Shire Hobbits in the Third Age, but they seem to have become relatively few in number after the First Age.

People view the Dwarves as secretive and somewhat xenophobic, but this is not completely accurate. Tolkien indeed said "they are a tough, thrawn race for the most part, secretive, laborious, retentive of the memory of injuries (and of benefits), lovers of stone, of gems, of things that take shape under the hands of of the craftsmen rather than things that live by their own life." So, how secretive were they? Tolkien tells us that the Dwarves of Nogrod and Belegost freely shared their knowledge with the Sindar in exchange for Melian's teaching, and they also exchanged knowledge later with the Noldor. On the other hand, the Petty Dwarves were so reclusive and hostile to the Sindar they seemed like vicious animals which should be hunted.