Battle or Massacre?
Battle: n. a large-scale fight between armed forces involving combat.
Massacre: n. the vicious killing of large numbers of people or animals. Microsoft Word Dictionary
There has been much debate within the local community about the title of the event. Various sources report that the event was first known as an encounter, a rencontre and a skirmish. It became known in white history as a battle after being named as such by George Fletcher Moore, in his own diary entry of 1834.
The Battle of Pinjarra soon became the accepted term for the event throughout the white colony. Nyungar history, which is oral, passed down from those around at the time of the event, has always called it a massacre. Many Nyungars believe the term battle was chosen by white people in an attempt to glorify and disguise the real nature of the incident.
People were resistant to the incident being termed the Pinjarra Massacre initially, however, over time attitudes are changing. It is hoped that with changing attitudes and a greater understanding of the true nature of the event, will come acceptance of the term massacre and a widespread desire to commemorate the incident with a memorial.
Massacre: n. the vicious killing of large numbers of people or animals. Microsoft Word Dictionary
There has been much debate within the local community about the title of the event. Various sources report that the event was first known as an encounter, a rencontre and a skirmish. It became known in white history as a battle after being named as such by George Fletcher Moore, in his own diary entry of 1834.
The Battle of Pinjarra soon became the accepted term for the event throughout the white colony. Nyungar history, which is oral, passed down from those around at the time of the event, has always called it a massacre. Many Nyungars believe the term battle was chosen by white people in an attempt to glorify and disguise the real nature of the incident.
People were resistant to the incident being termed the Pinjarra Massacre initially, however, over time attitudes are changing. It is hoped that with changing attitudes and a greater understanding of the true nature of the event, will come acceptance of the term massacre and a widespread desire to commemorate the incident with a memorial.