Pemulwuy
Pemulwuy | |
|---|---|
Engraving of Pemulwuy, 1804 | |
| Born | c. 1750 near Kamay |
| Died | c. 2 June 1802 (aged 51–52) |
| Nationality | Bidjigal |
| Other names | Pimbloy, Pemulvoy, Pemulwoy, Pemulwy, Bimblewove, Bumbleway, Bembulwoyan |
| Occupation | Warrior |
| Known for | Resistance to the British colonisation of Australia |
| Movement | Aboriginal resistance |
| Children | Tedbury |
Pemulwuy (/pɛməlwɔɪ/ PEM-əl-woy; c. 1750 – c. 2 June 1802) was a Bidjigal warrior of the Dharug, an Aboriginal Australian people from New South Wales. One of the most famous Aboriginal resistance fighters in the colonial era, he is noted for his resistance to British colonisation which began with the arrival of the First Fleet in January 1788.
Pemulwuy lived near Botany Bay, which he would have known as Kamay in the Dharug language. He is considered to have been a cardio (cleverman), a Dharug spiritual healer and culture keeper. In 1790, Pemulwuy began a twelve-year guerrilla war against the colonists, which continued until his killing.
When Pemulwuy grew into manhood, he became Bemul Wagan, which represents "the earth and the crow". According to Indigenous activist Dharug man Uncle Richard Green, "he wasn't very impressed with the mix of cultures. He preferred that we stayed within our own peoples". Another name for him was Butu Wagan, which means "crow".