Mannalargenna
Mannalargenna (c. 1770–1835), a Parlevar man, was an elder of the Plangermaireener clan in what is now the Ben Lomond tribal area of north-eastern Tasmania.[1] He is described as being 5' 8" and wearing grease and red ochre all over his body and as the chief / leader of Parlevar people prior to Governor Arthur's proclamation treaty with Mannalargenna.[2] Following the arrival of British in the area, he led a series of guerrilla styled resistance attacks against British military soldiers / police in Tasmania during the period known as the Black War. In 1829 he freed four Native women and a boy from John Batman's house where they had been held for a year.[3]
Mannalargenna | |
|---|---|
| Born | circa 1770 |
| Died | 1835 |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse(s) | unknown (deceased), Tanleboneyer (deceased) |
While it seems as though he joined George Robinson's mission to persuade Native people to "surrender", it is claimed that he was actually directing Robinson away from the people.[3] He was promised that if he helped Robinson he would not be sent to Flinders Island, but this promise was broken and he died in captivity at Wybalenna in 1835. When he arrived at Big Green Island in 1835, Mannalargenna symbolically cut off his ochred hair and beard.[2]
Family
Mannalargenna had two wives. His first wife's name is unknown, but together they had at least five children: a son, Neerhepeererminer and daughters Woretermoeteyenner, Wottecowidyer, Wobbelty and Teekoolterme. His second wife was Tanleboneyer with whom he had no children.[4] She was one of George Robinson's early guides.[2]
During his life, Mannalargenna's sister and four daughters were married to seamen from the Furneaux Islands and their babies were swapped around and documented down incorrectly. Today, many Australian citizens claim a non biological lineage through these British commonwealth documented marriages.[5][6]
Memorials
"Mannalergenna Day" has celebrated in early December in Little Musselroe Bay in Tasmania since 2015. The event is in commemoration of Mannalargenna and of celebrating Parlevar culture.[5]
There is a monument to Mannalargenna at Wybalenna Mission Site Cemetery.[7]
A sketch of Mannalargenna by artist Thomas Bock is held in the British Museum.[6]
References
- Helen Grasswill (11 September 2014). "Australian Story". ABC.
- shecanip (27 May 2011). "Mannalargenna". Telling Places in Country (TPIC) - University of Tasmania, Australia. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- "Mannalargenna". www.utas.edu.au.
- "Mannalargenna Resource Page". www.ivanlea.net.
- "Aboriginal warrior Mannalargenna celebrated 181 years on". ABC News. 4 December 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- "Mannalargenna, my ancestor | National Museum of Australia". www.nma.gov.au. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
- Design, UBC Web. "Mannalargenna | Monument Australia". monumentaustralia.org.au. Retrieved 9 June 2018.