The enduring presence of 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels': an anti-colonial analysis

Since the 1500s, Europeans have labelled the distinct Peoples of Papua New Guinea in various ways. Drawing on a wide range of historical accounts, literature, film, and media, this paper presents an analysis of colonial naming practices relevant to the enduring Australian claim that 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel' is a term of affection and welcomed by its subjects. We argue that Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel cannot be disaggregated from its colonial origins. The research contributes to broader discussions about the persistent coloniality that characterises Australia-Papua New Guinea relations, despite formal declarations of independence. This contextualisation of the origins and shifting meanings of Fuzzy Wuzzy Angel sheds light on ways that power is reinscribed and reinforced through stories and images to maintain ideological and cultural dominance.