Howitt (1904) spells this word as birraark.
Howitt (1904: 389) describes as follows: "the functions of the Birraark are separated from those of the medicine-man (Mulla-mulung). The former combined the functions of the seer, the spirit-medium, and the bard, for he foretold future events, he brought the ghosts to the camp of his people at night, and he composed the songs and dances which enlivened their social meetings. He was a harmless being, who devoted himself to performances which very strikingly resembled those of the civilised “mediums.”"
The names of eight birraark, who were living in 1842, together with their clan / tribe affiliations, is given in Howitt (1904: 392)
Birrarark
Found in Transcriptions
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Letter from John Bulmer 10 October 1878Pages 4Registration Number XM78Author —Physical Description Letter, handwritten, ink. Two sheets, eight pages. Condition: Fair; slight tear on main fold at bottom; centre crease fragile. -
Notes by Howitt on Kulin from BarakPages 51Registration Number hw0391Author Howitt, Alfred WilliamPhysical Description Handwritten notes, undated and numbered pages. Additional notations and annotations in the left hand margins; includes a newspaper article.
Also found in
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Bulmer to Howitt 12/April/1899Registration Number hw0397Author —Physical Description — -
Bulmer to Howitt April 25 1899Registration Number hw0398Author —Physical Description —