Lebian
Encyclopedia
Lebian ( ? - September, 1776) was toqui
from 1769 to 1774, who led the Pehuenche
against the Spanish Empire
in Chile
following the Mapuche Uprising of 1766 during the Arauco War
.
against the region of Laja River
and Los Ángeles
taking cattle and destroying every estancia in their path. Spanish troops sent against him were defeated and forced to retire to Los Ángeles. Encouraged by the victory Lebian attacked fort Santa Bárbara
two days later, although repulsed with some losses, they managed to set fire to the town and to take the cattle found in the area.
At the end of the war he was part of the delegation sent to Santiago to make peace in 1774. The same year he was also involved in a feud against the toqui Ayllapagui.
's policy of rewarding loyalty, Lebian was named distinguished soldier of the Spanish Army, and travelled to the city of Los Angeles for a meeting with the Maestro de Campo
Ambrosio O'Higgins
. As he was returning to his country, a band of Spaniards ambushed and killed him. One of the suspects was a captain Dionisio Contreras, but nothing was proved against him. It was rumored that O'Higgins had arranged the death as part of a policy of eliminating by such means hostile or strong Mapuche
leaders in preference to open warfare, but O'Higgins denied responsibility for the ambush, persecuted the assassins and hanged one of them.
Toqui
Toqui is a title conferred by the Mapuche to those who are chosen as their leaders during times of war. The toqui is chosen in an assembly or parliament of the chieftains of the various clans or confederation of clans , allied during the war in question...
from 1769 to 1774, who led the Pehuenche
Pehuenche
Pehuenches are an indigenous people that are part of the Mapuche peoples and live in the Andes in south central Chile and Argentina. Their name derives from their habit of harvesting of piñones, the seeds of the Araucaria araucana or pehuén...
against the Spanish Empire
Spanish Empire
The Spanish Empire comprised territories and colonies administered directly by Spain in Europe, in America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. It originated during the Age of Exploration and was therefore one of the first global empires. At the time of Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world power....
in Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
following the Mapuche Uprising of 1766 during the Arauco War
Arauco War
The Arauco War was a conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people in what is now the Araucanía and Biobío regions of modern Chile...
.
Life
During the war, in 1769 he led a malónMalón
Malón or maloca was a military raiding tactic of the Mapuche peoples from the 17th to the 19th centuries.The "maloca" among the Mapuche is described as a means of obtaining justice, by Juan Ignacio Molina:...
against the region of Laja River
Laja River
There are two notable rivers called Laja River :* Laja River in Guanajuato, central Mexico* Laja River in Chile...
and Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
taking cattle and destroying every estancia in their path. Spanish troops sent against him were defeated and forced to retire to Los Ángeles. Encouraged by the victory Lebian attacked fort Santa Bárbara
Santa Bárbara, Chile
Santa Bárbara is a Chilean city and commune in Biobío Province, Biobío Region. In 2004 a great portion of its territory was taken off to form the new commune of Alto Biobío.-History:...
two days later, although repulsed with some losses, they managed to set fire to the town and to take the cattle found in the area.
At the end of the war he was part of the delegation sent to Santiago to make peace in 1774. The same year he was also involved in a feud against the toqui Ayllapagui.
Assassination
In September, 1776, according to Gov. Agustín de JáureguiAgustín de Jáuregui
Agustín de Jáuregui y Aldecoa was a Spanish politician and soldier who served as governor of Chile and viceroy of Peru .-Early life:...
's policy of rewarding loyalty, Lebian was named distinguished soldier of the Spanish Army, and travelled to the city of Los Angeles for a meeting with the Maestro de Campo
Maestro de Campo
Maestro de Campo was a rank created in 1534 by the Emperor Carlos V, inferior in rank only to the Capitán General and acted as a chief of staff. He was chosen by the monarch in the Council of State, and commanded a tercio. Their powers were similar to those of the old Marshals of the Kingdom of...
Ambrosio O'Higgins
Ambrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of Osorno
Ambrosio Bernardo O'Higgins, 1st Marquis of Osorno born Ambrose Bernard O'Higgins , was a member of the O'Higgins family and an Irish-born Spanish colonial administrator...
. As he was returning to his country, a band of Spaniards ambushed and killed him. One of the suspects was a captain Dionisio Contreras, but nothing was proved against him. It was rumored that O'Higgins had arranged the death as part of a policy of eliminating by such means hostile or strong Mapuche
Mapuche
The Mapuche are a group of indigenous inhabitants of south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina. They constitute a wide-ranging ethnicity composed of various groups who shared a common social, religious and economic structure, as well as a common linguistic heritage. Their influence extended...
leaders in preference to open warfare, but O'Higgins denied responsibility for the ambush, persecuted the assassins and hanged one of them.
See also
- Arauco WarArauco WarThe Arauco War was a conflict between colonial Spaniards and the Mapuche people in what is now the Araucanía and Biobío regions of modern Chile...
- Agustín de JáureguiAgustín de JáureguiAgustín de Jáuregui y Aldecoa was a Spanish politician and soldier who served as governor of Chile and viceroy of Peru .-Early life:...
- Ambrosio O'HigginsAmbrosio O'Higgins, Marquis of OsornoAmbrosio Bernardo O'Higgins, 1st Marquis of Osorno born Ambrose Bernard O'Higgins , was a member of the O'Higgins family and an Irish-born Spanish colonial administrator...