16 Facts About Pemulwuy

Pemulwuy was a Bidjigal warrior of the Dharug, an Aboriginal Australian people from New South Wales.

Pemulwuy is considered to have been a cardio, 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".

Pemulwuy was born around 1750 in the area of Botany Bay in New South Wales, Australia.

Pemulwuy was born with a turned eyeball or other blemish in his left eye.

Pemulwuy could run further, he was one of the best, he could use a spear like no-one else could.

Pemulwuy ordered that two Bidjigal were to be captured and ten killed; these ten were then to be beheaded and the heads returned to the settlement.

Pemulwuy persuaded other Dharug to join his campaign against the settlers.

From 1792 Pemulwuy led raids on British colonists at Parramatta, Georges River, Prospect, Toongabbie, Brickfield and Hawkesbury River.

In early 1797, large groups of Aboriginal warriors led by Pemulwuy made a series of raids on the Northern Farms, a region just to the north-east of Parramatta now known as the suburbs of Oatlands and Carlingford.

The wounded Pemulwuy was captured and placed into custody at the hospital in Parramatta.

Pemulwuy appeared to have reached a sort of reconciliation with Governor John Hunter in late 1797, where Hunter agreed not to punish him.

Either on or just before 2 June 1802, Pemulwuy was shot and killed by explorer and sailor Henry Hacking, the first mate of the Royal Navy ship Lady Nelson.

Repatriation of the skull of Pemulwuy has been requested by Sydney's Aboriginal people.

Pemulwuy was portrayed by actor Wakarra Gondarra in reenactment sequences in the 2022 documentary series The Australian Wars.