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Chewbacca
Since his appearance in Episode IV: A New Hope, Chewbacca gained the world's affection because of his friendship with Han Solo.
- By Orus Villacorta, Gulf News Report
- Published: 00:00 May 8, 2007
- Image Credit: Nino Jose Heredia/Gulf News
- The height and mobility of the Wookiee were extraordinary. An adult Wookiee was usually around 2-and-a-half metres tall. A new-born Wookiee reached close to 2.2 metres. Chewie was 2.28 metres tall.
Since his appearance in Episode IV: A New Hope, Chewbacca gained the world's affection because of his friendship with Han Solo.
Click here to download Chewbacca artwork (pdf)
Chewbacca's native planet is Kashyyyk and his race is the Wookiee, creatures that are almost totally covered with hair.
His race fought an endless war against the Mandalorians, who used to hunt Wookiees to hand them over to the Galactic Empire.
Chewbacca, or Chewie as his friends called him, fought along with Jedi Master Yoda and the military leader Tarfful in Clone Wars. During this battle, many Wookiee soldiers died. Chewbacca was 180 years old then.
The height and mobility of the Wookiee were extraordinary. An adult Wookiee was usually around 2-and-a-half metres tall. A new-born Wookiee reached close to 2.2 metres. Chewie was 2.28 metres tall.
The films don't say a word about Chewie's background. He was the son of Itchy (Attichitcuk), a faithful soldier who guided the Wookiees to victory again and again. The wife of Chewie was Mesh (Mallatobuck), a beautiful Wookiee who took care of their son Lumpy (Lumpawarrump).
Like many Wookiees, Chewie was able to understand Basic, but he couldn't speak it due to his species' vocal structure. He instead spoke Shyriiwook, the main Wookiee language, composed largely of growls and grunts.
Chewie owed Han Solo a particular debt. When Kashyyyk was occupied and its inhabitants enslaved by the Galactic Empire, Chewbacca was rescued by the young imperial pilot Han Solo. So Chewie offered Solo his life in exchange.
After meeting Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa, they joined the Rebel Alliance after a short life as smugglers. This way, the Millennium Falcon (Han Solo's ship) became one of the most important vehicles of the rebel resistance.
The expanded universe narrates how Chewie died heroically during the Yuuzhan Vong War which occurred between the years 25 and 30 after the Battle of Yavin.
Chewbacca
Homeworld: Kashyyyk
Species: Wookiee
Gender: Male
Height: 2.28 metres
Weapon: Bowcaster
Vehicle: Millennium Falcon
Affiliation: Rebel Alliance
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