| European | Wadjuk | Minang |
|---|---|---|
| December / January | Birak | Meerningal |
| February / March | Bunuru | Maungernan |
| April / May | Djeran | Boruc |
| June / July | Makuru | Meertilluc |
| August / September | Djilba | Pourner |
| October / November | Kambarang | Mokkar |
The Noongar seasons are determined by changes in the environment such as changes in temperature, the wind, flora, and fauna, and these seasonal changes would determine hunting and migration patterns.[1] The most widely recognised number of Noongar seasons are six seasons, corresponding to roughly two months a year. These are Birak (December / January), Bunuru (February / March), Djeran (April / May), Makuru (June / July), Djilba (August / September), and Kambarang (October / November).[2] However, as the seasons are not determined by dates or a calendar but by changes in the environment, the duration of the seasons will vary from year to year, and the nature of these seasonal changes will vary regionally.[1] In Minang country these seasons were referred to by other names: Meerningal, Maungernan, Boruc, Meertilluc, Pourner and Mokkar,[3] but the names of the Noongar seasons generally are most widely used today.
Seasonal Changes
edit
Birak, the Season of the Young, roughly corresponds to December and January,[4] making it the "first summer" in the Noongar calendar.[5] The arrival of the season in Minang country is indicated by increases in temperature, and the flowering of seasonal flora such as the Moodjar (Christmas tree) and Yowarl (Swamp Paperbark tree). The flowering of the Moodjar tree is particularly significant, as they are sacred trees which hold the wirrin (spirits) of the Minang's ancestors.[6] During Birak, the flowers of the Moodjar tree would be gathered and fermented over a week[6] to make a sweet alcoholic drink, which would be drunk in celebration of the abundance of food on offer during the season of Birak.[5]
Birak is the traditional Karla (fire) season, with controlled burns undertaken for bushfire management, hunting animals such as Kwenda[5] (bandicoots) and Yonga (kangaroos), and for burning underbrush to aid seed germination.[7]
Bunuru, the Season of Adolescence, is the hottest part of the year, roughly corresponding to February and March,[4] making it the "second summer" of the Noongar calendar.[8] The arrival of Bunuru is indicated by the flowering of Wornt (white gums), and the arrival of Djildjit (fish) such as Ngari (salmon), Kalkada (mullet) and tailor. Bunuru is a social time of the year as large groups would gather along the coast to take advantage of the large numbers of fish.[8]
Djeran, the Season of Adulthood, roughly correlates to April and May.[4] Djeran is also referred to as "ant season", as one of the signs that Djeran has begun is flying ants from termite mounds. Other signs include decreasing temperature, the direction of the wind (south-westerly winds), banksias beginning to flower and Koolbardi (magpies) carolling more often.[9] In Minang country, Kwilena (dolphins) would be used to help to catch fish. Men in the shallows would chant and sing out and smack the water with branches to attract the Kwilena to the shore, who would then herd Ngari towards the shore. According to Minang man Larry Blight, the last account of partnering with Kwilena during fishing was at Salmon Holes in the 1920s.[9]
Makuru, the Season of Fertility, is the coldest and wettest part of the year, roughly correlating with June and July.[4] The arrival of Makuru is signalled by the onset of heavy rain, Marlee (swans) arriving along inlets to begin to moult, and the arrival of Mamang (whales) off the south coast.[10] Traditionally, Makuru is the season when the large groups of people who had gathered along the coast during the warmer seasons would begin to make their way back inland.[10]
Djilba (literally "grassy time"), the Season of Conception, roughly correlates to August and September.[4] Djilba is a transitional time of the year following the heavy rains of Makuru, and is indicated by wildflowers, Kalyang (wattle) and Kurulbrang (kangaroo paws) beginning to bloom.[11] As the season of conception, Djert (birds) begin to prepare for the birth of their young, with Koolbardies and Djiti Djitis (Willie Wagtails) swooping during Djilba to protect their nests. During Djilba, Marlees and Weitj (emus) were hunted and their eggs collected.[11] Traditionally, Djilba is the season when groups would begin toward the coast in anticipation of warmer weather.[11]
Kambarang (translating to "rains decreasing" in English),[7] the Season of Birth, roughly correlates with October and November.[4] Kambarang marks the beginning of warmer weather, and is indicated by reptiles such as Yuoran (bobtails), Norne (tiger snakes) and Dobitj (dugites) emerging from hibernation, and wildflowers such as boronias in bloom.[12]
Collet Barker’s Recording of Minang Seasons
editEarly accounts by Wadjela explorers identified different names for (and different numbers of) the seasons in Minang counrty, these are not widely recognised today. Captain Collet Barker was interested in the seasons recognised by the Minang, and questioned Mokare on the subject for information. This table shows the names and times of the seasons which Barker recorded from his conversations with Mokare, though they bear little resemblance to the names and times of contemporary seasons in Minang country.[13]
| European Months | Seasons Recorded by Barker |
|---|---|
| January - February | Preoe, Piroe |
| February - March | Metelock, Matelock |
| Mid-March – Mid-April | Pringhen, Prenghsen, Prinhnen |
| Late-April – June | Moken (divided into three parts): a.Moelyen b. Pardihyue c. Coolingun |
| July-September | Mondianong, Mondianiny, Minongel, Minngoli, Minongale |
| Early August | ‘Little Minongol’, ‘little Moken’ |
| Early October | Nonte (late part of Minongale) |
| Mid-October | Mandianary, Mondiarary |
Ngiyan waarnk - References
edit- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ryan, J. C. 2013, 'Toward a Phen(Omen)ology of the Seasons: The Emergence of the Indigenous Weather Knowledge Project (IWKP)', Environment, Space, Place, vol.5, no.1, p.118
- ↑ Giblet, R. 2012, 'The Seasons: Homage to Henry David Thoreau', Transformations Journal of Media and Culture, no.21, pp.1-2
- ↑ Green, N. 1984, Broken Spears: Aboriginals and Europeans in the Southwest of Australia, Perth, Focus Education Services, p.10
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Leonard Collard, in DAA, 2015, The Noongar Seasons, https://web.archive.org/web/20160615205155/http://www.daa.wa.gov.au/about-the-department/news/the-noongar-seasons accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Larry Blight, interviewed in Arnall, K. 15 December 2015, 'Indigenous ‘First Summer’ Season Off to a Late Start', ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-14/celebrating-birak-the-noongar-first-summer/7027324 accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Larry Blight, interviewed in Collins, A. 10 December 2013, 'Celebrating Noongar Christmas Tradition', ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2013/12/10/3908763.htm accessed [6/11/2017]
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Water Corporation, 2015, Noongar Seasons Fact Sheet, https://web.archive.org/web/20160615194652/http://www.watercorporation.com.au/-/media/files/teachers/lessons-and-teaching-resources/lesson-plans/activity-sheets-and-fact-sheets/noongar-seasons-fact-sheet.pdf accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Larry Blight, interviewed in Arnall, K. 23 February 2015, 'Second Summer Arrives in South West Noongar Calendar', ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/02/23/4185361.htm?site=greatsouthern accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Larry Blight, interviewed in Collins, A. 25 March 2015, 'Djeran: The Noongar Season of Dolphins Herding Salmon has Arrived', ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2015/03/25/4204526.htm?site=greatsouthern accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Larry Blight, interviewed in Collins, A. & Papas, C. 9 June 2014, ‘Whales and Swans Determine the Start of Noongar Winter’, ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/06/09/4021728.htm?site=greatsouthern accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Larry Blight, interviewed in Arnall, K. 28 July 2015, ‘Swooping Magpies and Golden Blooms: the Season of Djilba Arrives’, ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/07/27/4281604.htm accessed [29/10/2017
- ↑ Larry Blight, interviewed in Arnall, K. 13 October 2015, ‘Reptiles Emerge as Noongar Season of Kambarang Begins in South-West’, ABC News, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-12/reptiles-emerge-as-noongar-season-of-kambarang-begins-in-south-/6847360 accessed [29/10/2017]
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Mulvaney, J. & Green, N. 1992, Commandant of Solitude: The Journals of Captain Collet Barker 1828-1831, Carlton, Melbourne University Press, p.420