The Syndulla Kalikori was a traditional Twi'lek artifact that was passed from generation to generation among members of the Syndulla clan. The Kalikori was decorated with various elaborate symbols and markings, each of which had been added by a family member. The revered totem acted as an artistic representation of the clan's lineage and was intended to honor their ancestors.
The Kalikori, which was shaped to be reminiscent of Twi'lek lekku, was comprised of smaller segments connected by bead-shaped connection pieces. The markings on each segment were composed in various colors and geometric shapes, all of which represented important family members. In addition to inscribing a new symbol, individuals in the clan could also choose to add a new segment to represent themselves in the lineage.
In 2 BBY, Hera Syndulla delivered supplies to her home planet Ryloth, where she was reunited with her father, Cham. The Twi'lek freedom fighter explained that the Empire's occupation of Ryloth had grown—in addition to a planetary blockade, Imperial troops occupied the entirety of the Tann Province, a region which included the home of the Syndulla clan. Cham had failed to predict the military strategy of Imperial Captain Slavin, who had attacked with unusual precision and succeeded in establishing the Syndulla residence as his headquarters.
Much to Hera's dismay, her father had been unable to save their family's Kalikori when he escaped the region. When Ezra Bridger questioned what it was, Gobi Glie and Numa explained that the Kalikori was a revered totem passed down a Twi'lek lineage to honor a clan's ancestors, an act which Sabine Wren fondly described as “living art." Remembering the heirloom's importance to her late mother, Hera vowed to retrieve it. The Spectres and the Twi'lek rebels insisted on joining her, despite her protests that the mission was too personal for them to risk their lives.
The rebels attempted to escape the residence with the Kalikori.
While the others diverted Imperial troops from the Tann Province by luring them into a canyon, Bridger disguised himself as a scout trooper and pretended to escort a captive Hera into the Syndulla house. The two made their way to Cham's office, where Hera found the Syndulla Kalikori atop a shelf, but as they attempted to escape with the heirloom, Grand Admiral Thrawn and Captain Slavin entered the residence, taking Hera into captivity.
When under questioning, she attempted to disguise her identity by using her native accent, insisting she intended to sell the Kalikori for food. However, Thrawn was interested in her possession of the Kalikori—due to his extensive study of artistic forms, he was able to deduce that the totem was an invaluable artifact of her family history, thereby revealing her identity as the daughter of Cham Syndulla.
Thrawn imprisoned Hera inside her own home, along with Bridger, and ordered the Kalikori be delivered to his ship. When Slavin remarked they should simply destroy it, Thrawn became angry, before regaining his composure and replying he appreciated it as a form of art, unlike Slavin. In captivity, Hera apologized for putting others in danger by attempting to recover the Kalikori, but Bridger insisted they had wanted to help because of its importance to her. Later, at the demand of Slavin, Cham returned to the Tann Province for a prisoner exchange with Hera and Bridger. Once outside, Chopper ignited explosives which Hera had instructed him to place, destroying the Syndulla residence and allowing the rebels a chance to escape aboard the Ghost amidst the confusion. Although they failed to recover her Kalikori, Hera explained that the Spectres and her father were her real home, and she had them to keep her mother's memory alive.
- Star Wars: Alien Archive
- Star Wars: Timelines
- "Day Wanna Wanga - The Tale of the Twi'leks" — Star Wars Insider 219
- Star Wars: Dawn of Rebellion: The Visual Guide