Pemulwuy
Pemulwuy (/pɛməlwɔɪ/ PEM-əl-woy; c. 1750 – c. 2 June 1802), also rendered as Pimbloy, Pemulvoy, Pemulwoy, Pemulwy or Pemulwye, or sometimes by contemporary Europeans as Bimblewove, Bumbleway or Bembulwoyan, was a Bidjigal man of the Eora nation, born around 1750 in the area of Botany Bay in New South Wales, Australia. One of the most famous Aboriginal resistance fighters in the colonial era, he is noted for his resistance to European colonisation which began with the arrival of the First Fleet in January 1788.
Pemulwuy | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1750 Botany Bay, New South Wales |
| Died | c. 2 June 1802 New South Wales |
| Nationality | Bidgigal |
| Other names | Pimbloy, Pemulvoy, Pemulwoy, Pemulwy, Bimblewove, Bumbleway, Bembulwoyan |
| Occupation | Political leader |
| Known for | Resistance to the European colonisation of Australia |
| Movement | Aboriginal resistance |
| Children | Tedbury |
Pemulwuy lived near Botany Bay, which he would have known as Kamay in the Dharug language. Pemulwuy is considered to have been a carradhy (cleverman), an Eora spiritual healer and culture keeper.
Before his resistance effort, Pemulwuy would hunt meat and provide it to the food-challenged new colony in exchange for goods.
In 1790 Pemulwuy began a twelve-year guerrilla war against the colonists, which continued until his killing.
When Pemulwuy grew into manhood he became Bembul Wuyan, which represents "the earth and the crow". According to Indigenous activist 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 Wargun, which means "crow".