Chewbacca (or "Chewie", as he is known by his friends) is legendary Wookiee from Kashyyyk and co-pilot of Han Solo's ship, the Millennium Falcon. He is the son of Attichitcuk, the husband of Mallatobuck, and the father of Lumpawaroo. Chewbacca carries 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 places Chewbacca in a noble lineage, which is further supported by his role in the Battle of Kashyyyk during the Clone Wars and during the Galactic Civil War.
Chewbacca is a wise, sophisticated being of great strength and loyalty. As technologically savvy as the brightest Academy graduate, he is also a skilled mechanic. Chewbacca, like many Wookiees, is able to understand Basic, but he does not speak it due to his species's vocal structure. He instead speaks Shyriiwook, the main Wookiee language, composed largely of growls and grunts, to his non-Wookiee companions who typically reply in Basic.
