Stereotypes
It never ceases to amaze me what kind of stereotypes other species have about Wookiees. Often, people will mention these things to me as if they are just given truths.
Over the years, I have found that the best ways to dispell stereotypes is to talk openly about them. So, Let's talk about some Wookiee stereotypes:
Wookiees are violent.
This is totally untrue. As members of the old Republic we worked to keep peace in the galaxy. It was only when our world was invaded and our people forced into slavery that we got involved in intergalactic conflict. Wookiees are a peace-loving species -- we just want to live in peace and freedom, and know that our families are safe from the slavers.
Yes, it is true that at one time there was a lot of clan warfare on our planet. But, that is part of our past. Like many sentient species we learned to live in peace with each other as we became a technologically-advanced society.
Wookiees dislocate people's arms when angry.
This old saying, often attributed to Han Solo, is frequently said to me as a joke. It is believed to date back to a period when Wookiees were little known off of Kashyyyk. At that time very few people understood Shyriiwook and Wookiees were considered intimidating, judged only on our size. Again, let me assure you that we are not violent by nature. And, it is advisable that you do not use this phrase with a Wookiee that you do not know. Please understand that Han Solo and Chewbacca are brothers in all but blood. Han can make jokes about his friend that others might misinterpret as a true statement about Wookiees.
Wookiees are a primitive species. Their technology is borrowed.
This is very far from the truth. Wookiees have been technologically advanced for hundreds of generations. However, we long ago made a choice to preserve our traditional way of life and our ecosystem. This means that we do not let technology control our everyday lives. We are just as comfortible using tree bark and a stylus to write as we are using a datapad.
A life debt makes you a servant.
Absolutely untrue. Life debts are not servitude, they are gratitude. The practice of life debt is deeply rooted in the Wookiee honor code. We place such a high value on life that we feel obliged to repay the person who saves our life. When the Wookiee feels that the debt has been repaid, he/she is no longer honor bound to help the subject of their life debt. However, as many of you who have had Wookiee friends understand -- we are very loyal friends. Many life debts lead to life-long friendships where the individuals become part of an honor family. This is the case with Han Solo and Chewbacca. With others, the life debt is fulfilled with service to the community rather than to an individual. This is my case. For those who don't know my story -- slavers raided my village when I was very young. Most of the Wookiees of my village sacrificed themselves so that the young could be evacuated. To repay this debt, I am currently working to educate others about slavery, to help those of other species to understand the wookiees better, and to free the galaxy of oppression so that all species can live in freedom.