Star Wars: Everything You Should Know About Wookiees
Chewbacca is one of the most popular characters in the galaxy. But how much do we actually know about the Wookiee in general?
Wookiees are easily Star Wars’ most famous alien species. It’s one of the top characters fans like to impersonate– Meesa thinks Gungan is a strong contender, too.
Known for being huge, loyal, and very hairy, Wookiees are one of the most easily recognizable of the aliens. But there aren’t a whole lot who show up on screen.
Even if you don’t remember a single other Wookiee, you definitely know Han Solo’s best friend and co-pilot, Chewbacca. But there’s so much more to them than just one (admittedly awesome) character.
Kashyyyk: Home of the Wookiees
Hailing from the forest planet Kashyyyk, Wookiees are furry humanoid aliens who have been known to grow up to nine feet tall.
Their heat to foot coat of thick, shaggy fur makes some think of walking carpets. But it acts as a water repellant, and keeps these forest-dwellers warm and dry in their forest home.
They also have cat-like extendable claws that are useful for climbing. They’ve got very long lifespans and a physical inability to speak any languages besides their own.
This doesn’t mean Wookiees are unintelligent, though. They will often learn to understand multiple languages. They’ve been known to take on a variety of jobs– even joining the Jedi Order.
I mean, c’mon. Chewbacca was 70-100% of the reason the Millennium Falcon actually continued flying.
Despite this, the Empire classified Wookiees as “non-sentient” and blockaded the planet. They enslaved the Wookiees, forcing many of them to build large portions of the Imperial war machine or mine spice on Kessel.
Others were used for experimentation, and others still were hunted for sport. Now a Wookiee could rip your average Stormtrooper apart without much thought. But they often complied with their oppressors because of the Imperial threat of harm against their family members, clans, and younglings.
Wookiee Rebels
Unsurprisingly, many Wookiees escaped the Empire and joined the Rebellion. Their tendency to go into a berserker mode as well as their fierce loyalty to friends made them assets to the war. Eventually, they would liberate Kashyyyk from Imperial command.
Something the Wookiees are most famous for is a strong honor code. It forbade them from using their claws for anything aside from climbing trees– including battle.
Their strong sense of honor and morality also lent itself to life debts. A Wookiee may pledge their life to protect someone who previously saved their own life. Chewbacca swore such an oath to Han Solo, and despite having his own family back on Kashyyyk, was protecting Han’s family for many, many years.
Additionally, the Wookiee celebration of Life Day came to be celebrated throughout the galaxy. It’s even celebrated here in our real world.
Do you have a favorite Wookiee aside from Chewbacca? Would you take a trip to the forest planet Kashyyyk? How is your Wookiee impression? Let us know in the comments!
May The Force Be With You, Adventures!
