Wookiee
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2007) |
| Wookiee | |
|---|---|
| In-universe information | |
| Distinctions | Brown, grey, or black fur |
| Language | Shyriiwook |
Wookiees are a race of hirsute bipeds in the fictional Star Wars universe. The most notable Wookiee is Chewbacca, a companion to Han Solo.
Home world
In Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith the Wookiees live in the lush forests and giant jungles on the planet of Kashyyyk, where they originated. They live in villages among the giant wroshyr trees. George Lucas has said that he originally planned Endor to be the Wookiee home planet, but at the time the technology needed to make a fit Kashyyyk did not exist, so instead Kashyyyk was used as a battleground in Episode III.[1]
Inspiration
In an interveiw given by creator George Lucas, inspiration is taken from Lucas's dog, Indiana (whose name is used in the Lucas-inspired movies Indiana Jones). "He was the prototype for the Wookie. He always sat beside me in the car. He was big, a big bear of a dog."
Physical characteristics
Adult Wookiees are typically taller than most humans, averaging 2.1 meters (6'11").[2] They are physically strong, said to be one of the strongest in the galaxy (as suits an arboreal species), have extremely thick hair, and have high endurance. In addition, Wookiees have an excellent sense of smell. Also, Wookies have retractable claws on their hands and feet that are used almost exclusively for climbing. Using the claws for hand-to-hand combat is forbidden, and is viewed as disgraceful or even insane behavior.
They are fully covered with hair. Chewbacca is shown in such diverse environments as Hoth, Tatooine and Endor, never requiring any type of protective clothing.
Wookiees are known to have a lifespan of several hundred years.[3]
Common behavior
Regardless of their looks, Wookiees are extremely intelligent and loyal, but may have a short temper.[4] Life debts, which are held to be sacred in Wookiee culture, suggest that friendship with a Wookiee is a lifetime commitment.
In spite of a fearsome appearance and temperamental disposition, Wookiees are shown to be very intelligent and technologically proficient, as shown in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, Chewbacca is capable of performing maintenance on the starship Millennium Falcon, as well as being able to repair C-3PO. The Wookiee diet consists of native fish and game species.
Language
The Wookiee language is Shyriiwook. Wookiees are capable of understanding Galactic Basic, but generally none are able to speak it due to the structure of Wookiee vocal cords. In the Star Wars Original Trilogy, human Han Solo shows a knowledge of Shyriiwook, or can at least understand his companion.
Some Wookiees are sensitive to the Force. One such Wookiee is Lowbacca, Chewbacca's nephew, from the book series Young Jedi Knights.
External links
- The Wookiee Species from official Star Wars web site.
- Wookiee on Wookieepedia, a Star Wars wiki
References
- ^ Star Wars: Databank|Kashyyyk
- ^ "Star Wars: Databank". Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
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"Star Wars: Databank". Lucasfilm Ltd. Retrieved 2007-11-11.
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