Bilin Bilin

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Bilin Bilin, at the Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission, circa 1900 Aboriginal man, Bilin Bilin, sitting outside a tent at the Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission, ca. 1900.jpg
Bilin Bilin, at the Deebing Creek Aboriginal Mission, circa 1900

Bilin Bilin (born c. 1820; died 1901) was a member of the Yugambeh Bundjalung people in Australia, who gained respect of the European colonials and received a king plate for it. Alternate names for him include Jackey Jackey, Kawae Kawae, John Logan, and Bilinba.

Bilin Bilin chose to work with the Europeans and be friendly to Christianity, in so much as distributing Bibles, while maintaining his traditional beliefs. [1] In his case, favoring diplomacy over confrontation helped his ability to stay on his ancestral land for most of his life. [2] His diplomacy included demanding equal wages for his people and encouraging them not to leave their land. A Lutheran Pastor, Haussmann, taught him to read and write. [3]

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References

  1. "Bilin Bilin - National Museum of Australia". www.nma.gov.au. Archived from the original on 8 May 2018. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  2. "Calling Descendants of Bilin Bilin". www.abc.net.au. 13 February 2008. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  3. "Frontier Relations in the Logan District - German Missionaries in Australia". missionaries.griffith.edu.au. Retrieved 15 May 2018.