Wookiees are a fictional species of intelligent hairy bipeds native to the planet Kashyyyk in the Star Wars universe. While the most well-known Wookiee is Chewbacca, Han Solo’s loyal friend and co-pilot, Wookiees have a complex culture and society. So what are the female members of this species called?
The Origin of the Name “Wookiee”
The name “Wookiee” first appeared in the 1977 film Star Wars: A New Hope, which introduced Chewbacca and other Wookiees to the world. The name was created by sound designer Ben Burtt, who combined the sounds of bears, lions, badgers, and other animals to create Chewbacca’s distinctive voice. According to Burtt, the name “Wookiee” was originally conceived as “Wookee” but was changed to “Wookiee” for easier pronunciation.
George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, is sometimes credited with coming up with the name “Wookiee.” However, Lucas primarily developed the visual concept of the Wookiees, working with conceptual designer Ralph McQuarrie. The naming itself was done by Burtt to match the voice he had created.
The word “Wookiee” is meant to represent the species’ own name for themselves in their language of Shyriiwook. The proper adjective form is “Wookiee” while the name of their home planet, “Kashyyyk,” is also derived from the Wookiee language.
Gender and Society in Wookiee Culture
Wookiee society is organized into family-based clans led by chieftains. While traditionally patriarchal, Wookiee females are also afforded great respect as matriarchs and warriors. Some key aspects of gender and society in Wookiee culture include:
- Family units are the core social structure, with newborn Wookiees immediately bonded to their parents and siblings.
- Marriage between male and female Wookiees forms the basis of clan groups, with the bonded pair leading the clan together once mated.
- While males traditionally hold political leadership roles, females handle domestic responsibilities and are viewed as heads of household.
- Adolescent Wookiees undertake ritual journeys to confirm their readiness for adulthood and family responsibilities.
- Wookiee females take just as active a role in combat and defending the homeland as males.
So while Wookiee society is patriarchal, the role of women as matriarchs, warriors, and heads of household shows greater gender equity than traditional patriarchies in human history. However, in other areas such as political leadership, gender inequality still exists.
Wookiee Words for Gender
The Wookiee language of Shyriiwook includes specific words identifying gender and distinguishing males, females, and children. According to reference sources and novels, these include:
- “Kkutraa” – boy or young male
- “Utta” – girl or young female
- “Grakkhnaa” – adult male
- “Urratnaa” – adult female
There are also more colloquial words reportedly used among Wookiees such as:
- “Thakka”- boy
- “Leeta” – girl
So in Shyriiwook, an adult female Wookiee would be referred to as “urratnaa” although other words like “leeta” are also used in casual conversation. The Wookiee language, consisting largely of roars, growls, and grunts, can be difficult for outsiders to translate accurately.
Wookiee Roles and Professions
Wookiee society features division of roles and labor between the sexes. However, Wookiee females are able to take on what humans would consider both traditional male and female roles. Some of the major Wookiee social roles include:
- Chieftain – Political leaders are usually male but females have served in this role.
- Matriarch – Female elders who exert authority over clan matters.
- Warrior – Both male and female Wookiees serve as warriors defending Kashyyyk.
- Pilot – Males more commonly take on piloting roles.
- Healer – Females often take charge of healing using herbal lore.
- Lore Keeper – Both sexes may become lore keepers, keeping Wookiee history and customs alive.
- Hunting – A role for adult Wookiees of both sexes.
So while Wookiee females may be matriarchs and warriors, they are also found in trades such as healing and keeping Wookiee culture alive through storytelling and rituals. Gender does not limit a Wookiee to specific occupations in the way human cultures sometimes enforce different roles by gender.
Wookiee Family Structure and Mating
Family and clan structure are vital pillars of Wookiee life. When Wookiees reach sexual maturity, they undergo various rituals and trials before being permitted to mate. The mating process and family structure involves:
- Adolescent Wookiees being confirmed as adults through rituals.
- Eligible Wookiees seeking out potential mates of the opposite sex.
- Courting through acts to demonstrate protectiveness, loyalty, and skill as a provider.
- Life mate selected and mated with through a ritual pledge.
- Mated pair recognized as new clan leaders and heads of household.
- Offspring produced to continue and expand the clan.
Wookiees mate for life after their adolescent trials and courtship period. The mated Wookiee couple leads the family clan together, with the female as matriarch and male as patriarch. Wookiees can not mate with other species, so all Wookiee pairing is between males and females of their own kind.
Wookiee Gestation and Family Life
After mating, Wookiee pregnancy lasts approximately one year. Some key aspects of Wookiee gestation and family structure include:
- Pregnancies last one standard year.
- Twins and triplets are rare – most births produce single offspring.
- Cubs are able to walk within a month and eat solid foods not long after.
- A strong bond forms immediately between Wookiee parents and offspring.
- Wookiee cubs grow rapidly, reaching full size in about a decade.
- Families include parents, cubs, elders, and unmated adult members.
- Cubs are given a great deal of affection, freedom, and respect.
Wookiee childhood emphasizes bonding with parents, developing physical skills, and learning Wookiee history and traditions. The upbringing of cubs is a responsibility shared by parents, elders, and the entire clan group working together.
Notable Wookiees of Both Genders
While Chewbacca remains the most famous Wookiee, many other members of the species with interesting backgrounds have appeared over the years. A sample includes:
Name | Gender | Description |
---|---|---|
Chewbacca | Male | Han Solo’s co-pilot and loyal friend through decades of adventures. Skilled mechanic and ace fighter pilot. |
Malla | Female | Wife of Chewbacca and mother of Lumpawarrump. Remained on Kashyyyk while Chewbacca was away. |
Lumpawarrump | Male | Son of Chewbacca and Malla. Became a warrior and fought against the Empire invading Kashyyyk. |
Ralrra | Female | A Wookiee Jedi master and general during the Clone Wars. Led Wookiee armies against Trandoshan raiders. |
Gorrlyn | Male | A Wookiee chief who aided Jedi training new clones on Kamino during the Clone Wars. |
This small sample demonstrates notable Wookiees of both genders. While Chewbacca remains the most famous, Wookiee females such as Malla and Ralrra have played important roles in galactic history as warriors, chieftains, and Jedi. Gender does not limit a Wookiee’s opportunities.
Wookiees in the Star Wars Universe
Wookiees have been present throughout the Star Wars saga since Chewbacca’s debut in 1977. They demonstrate a unique culture where both genders take on roles as warriors, politicians, artisans, and more. Key facts about Wookiees in the Star Wars universe include:
- Native to the planet Kashyyyk, with a culture based on family clans.
- Tall, powerfully built mammal humanoids covered in hair except the face.
- Shyriiwook language of growls, grunts, and roars is hard for outsiders to learn.
- Males and females both take on varied roles – warriors, leaders, healers, lore keepers, etc.
- Mate for life after courtship rituals, with bonded pairs leading clan groups.
- Cubs are raised communally by parents, elders, and the clan.
- Most famous Wookiee is Chewbacca, Han Solo’s friend and co-pilot.
Wookiees appear throughout Star Wars media including films, novels, comics, video games, and television series. Their unique culture and family-based society have been explored and expanded while retaining the core elements established for Chewbacca decades ago.
Wookiees in Current Star Wars Canon
In current Star Wars canon, Wookiees have appeared in media such as:
- The Clone Wars and Rebels animated TV series.
- Solo: A Star Wars Story film featuring Chewbacca.
- Star Wars novels such as Aftermath and Last Shot.
- Marvel Star Wars comics.
- Video games such as Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order.
Their forest planet of Kashyyyk and unique culture continue to be part of the Star Wars galaxy. While Chewbacca remains a central figure, new Wookiee characters have been introduced and expanded on in canon. Female Wookiees are shown active as warriors, chieftains, and leaders, especially in protecting Kashyyyk from invasion.
Conclusion
To conclude, female Wookiees are referred to by terms such as “urratnaa” and “leeta” in the Wookiee language of Shyriiwook. They play vital roles in Wookiee society as warriors, matriarchs, healers, lore keepers, and more. While Wookiee culture is patriarchal, females are also leaders and carry out the same activities as males. Gender does not limit Wookiees in the way human cultures sometimes restricted roles. Throughout the Star Wars saga, notable female Wookiees from Malla to the Jedi Ralrra have appeared and demonstrated the active part women play in Wookiee culture and society.