Pemulwuy

Pemulwuy, the Rainbow Warrior, was an Aboriginal warrior from the Bidjigal tribe who led raids and attacks on British soldiers and settlers. He was a carradhy or man of high position in his tribe and dispensed justice to all the Europeans who had broken the Bidjigal tribe law. Pemulwuy led the first major response to the British invasion, standing out from all the other warriors from different tribes. His actions influenced other Aboriginal warriors to take drastic action against the invading European settlers.
 * Pemulwuy: The Rainbow Warrior**

Not much is known about Pemulwuy’s early life or his family. It is not known whether he had any brother or sisters, but it is known that he was born near Botany Bay in the year 1750 on the Northern side of the Georges River in New South Wales. He was most likely raised in the traditional Aboriginal culture. Pemulwuy first became publicly known in 1790 when he speared Governor Phillip’s gamekeeper, John McIntyre. McIntyre was wounded and later died of the wound. His attacks on the Europeans were not an effort to get rid of the Europeans as it may seem. Instead Pemulwuy’s attacks on the settlers were as punishment to those who had broken the Bidjigal tribal law.

In the early days of the settlement, Pemulwuy indiscreetly speared colonists, but as the years went by, he led more organized attacks and raids against British settlements and colonies. He became more confident over the years after many Europeans had tried to kill him but failed. Pemulwuy and his tribe started to think that he was invincible to British firearms that is guns, and could not be bound by chains. This thought occurred when in a fight, Pemulwuy was shot seven times and survived. He was left at the scene of the fight, because his tribesmen had presumed he was dead, where he was found in a pool of his blood by the soldiers that had attacked him. They were amazed he was still alive, so they brought him to a hospital where they kept him bound in chains. Once he had fully recovered, Pemulwuy escaped in the night, still in chains, and returned to his tribe who were amazed he had survived.

Pemulwuy was both feared and admired by the European settlers for his courage and deadly fighting skills. He managed to fight back against the European invasion and made a stand. When they breached or broke the Bidjigal tribal tribe he struck back at them, as were the tribal laws. Though his actions were that of a guerrilla war, Pemulwuy still wanted to maintain good relations with the Europeans. This indicates that his attacks were only to dispense justice on those who had breached Bidjigal tribal law.

Governor Hunter was on good terms with Pemulwuy and thought he was a great gentleman. When Governor Hunter was replaced with Philip Gidley King, King was not as lenient towards Pemulwuy as Governor Phillip was. In November 1801, King outlawed Pemulwuy and offered a reward of 20 gallons of spirits or a free pardon for his capture, dead or alive. The prospect of spirits or freedom was an ample incentive and soon men were trying to hunt Pemulwuy down. This time he wasn’t so lucky. In 1802 Pemulwuy was shot and then decapitated, and his head was preserved in alcohol then sent to England as a gift to Joseph Baker. His resistance against the British invasion was a great example to many other Aboriginal warriors who followed in Pemulwuy’s footsteps.

By Lee-Ann Chen

**Pemulwuy: The Rainbow Warrior** **Bibliography** J. L. Kohen, “Pemulwuy (c. 1750-1802)” (Published 2005, __[]__ (visited 6th of February, 2011) //Unknown Author//, “Pemulwuy, Justice or War?” (//Publishing date unknown//) __[]__ (Visited 7th of February, 2011)  //Unknown Author//, “Pemulwuy” (Last Modified 19th December, 2010) __[]__ (visited 7th of February, 2011)  //Unknown Author//, “Pemulwuy the Rainbow Warrior” (//Publishing date unknown//) __[]__ (visited 7th of February, 2011)