Biraban

Biraban
Biraban, drawn by Alfred Thomas Agate.
Born
Died	14 April 1846
Other names	John McGill
Spouse	Patty

Biraban (d. 14 April 1846), also known as John McGill (also spelt M‘Gill, MacGil, Maggill), was a leader of the Awakabal tribe of Indigenous Australians at Lake Macquarie. His native name, also spelt Barabahn, Bi-ra-bán, and Birabān, means "eaglehawk" in the Awabakal language.

Biraban spoke English fluently, and acted as an interpreter between aborigines and settlers. From 1825 he served as an informant to the missionary Lancelot Edward Threlkeld, teaching him the Awabakal language and tribal lore.

[edit] References

Threlkeld, L. E. (1850). "Reminiscences of Birabān", A key to the structure of the Aboriginal language. Sydney: Kemp and Fairfax, 5–7.

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Persondata
NAME	Biraban
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	McGill, John; M'Gill, John; MacGil, John; Maggill, John; Barabahn
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Australian Aboriginal leader
DATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH	14 April 1846
PLACE OF DEATH