Gantika was a Togruta woman who held the position of village elder in a settlement located on the world of Shili throughout the time of the Galactic Republic. Upon the birth of Ahsoka Tano, the daughter of Pav-ti Tano and Nak-il Tano, Gantika was called to the location to learn the child's given name. One standard year following this event, when Pav-ti brought Tano on a hunt as a coming-of-age ritual, Gantika applied blue markings to the parent and child's foreheads, meant to bring them fortune. During this hunting expedition, Tano was kidnapped by a raxshir, and upon her unexpected return to the village atop the animal, which then departed of its own accord, Gantika recognized her as someone who could use the Force.