Chewbacca

Chewbacca (or "Chewie," as he was known to his friends) was a legendary Wookiee from Kashyyyk, best known for being the co-pilot of Han Solo's ship, the Millennium Falcon. He was the son of Attichitcuk, the husband of Mallatobuck, and the father of Lumpawaroo. Chewbacca carried with him the name of an ancient Wookiee hero, the great Bacca, first of the great chieftains of Kashyyyk, and the creator of a sword that denoted leadership among the Wookiees. This name placed Chewbacca in a noble lineage, which was further supported by his role in the Battle of Kashyyyk during the Clone Wars and during the Galactic Civil War.

Born in 200 BBY, Chewbacca became a navigator of the Claatuvac Guild and fought alongside Jedi Grand Master Yoda at the Battle of Kashyyyk during the Clone Wars, but was condemned to slavery by the Galactic Empire. Rescued by Han Solo, Chewbacca swore a life-debt to Solo and accompanied him throughout his smuggling career. In 0 BBY, Solo and Chewbacca fell in with the Rebel Alliance and flew at the Battle of Yavin. After the battle, Chewbacca was considered a hero of the Alliance, and he played a role in key victories against the Galactic Empire. After the declaration of the New Republic, Chewbacca became the protector of Han and Leia Organa Solo's children, Jaina, Jacen and Anakin. Chewbacca died in 25 ABY, the first year of the Yuuzhan Vong War, giving his life during the Destruction of Sernpidal to save Anakin Solo.

Chewbacca was a wise, sophisticated being of great strength and loyalty. As technologically savvy as the brightest Academy graduate, he was also a skilled mechanic. Chewbacca, like many Wookiees, was able to understand Basic, but he could not speak it due to his species's vocal structure. He instead spoke Shyriiwook, the main Wookiee language, composed largely of growls and grunts, to his non-Wookiee companions who typically replied in Basic.

Text and facts from the “Chewbacca/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.