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Mannalargenna

1775 – 1835

Tasmanian Aborigine chief

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About Mannalargenna

Lived 1775 – 1835 (aged 59–60).

Mannalargenna, also spelt Manalakina (1770–1835), was an Aboriginal Tasmanian leader and warrior.

Biography Mannalargenna was a Chief of the Trawlwoolway clan in what is now the North East Nation. He is described as being 5' 8" and wearing grease and red ochre all over his body. Following the arrival of British in the area, he led a series of guerrilla-style attacks against British settlers in the colony of Van Diemen's Land 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. He was promised that if he helped Robinson he would not be sent to Flinders Island. However, 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. She was one of George Robinson's early guides. via his daughter Woretemoeteyenner (1797–1847). Australian rules football player Alex Pearce, born in 1995, is also a descendant.

Recognition and legacy "Mannalergenna Day" has been celebrated in early December in Little Musselroe Bay in Tasmania since 2015, in commemoration of Mannalargenna and for celebrating Palawa or Pakana culture.

There is a monument to Mannalargenna at Wybalenna Mission Site Cemetery.

A sketch of Mannalargenna by artist Thomas Bock is held in the British Museum in London, England.

During the 19th century, George Augustus Robinson had also collected a word list of his native language.

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Important facts

Born
1775, Tasmania
Birth century

People in Mannalargenna's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Mannalargenna's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mannalargenna?

Tasmanian Aborigine chief

When was Mannalargenna born?

Mannalargenna was born in 1775 in Tasmania.

When did Mannalargenna die?

Mannalargenna died on 4 December 1835 in Flinders Island.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Mannalargenna

· Wikidata: Q1890603

· DBpedia: Mannalargenna

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mannalargenna. https://biography.guide/mannalargenna/

MLA: "Mannalargenna." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mannalargenna/.

Chicago: "Mannalargenna." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mannalargenna/.

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