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ABORIGINAL SIX SEASONS MAKE PERFECT SCENTS. All content including written and visual throughout our online gallery is protected by copyright©.
FREE SHIPPING THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA
ABORIGINAL SIX SEASONS MAKE PERFECT SCENTS. All content including written and visual throughout our online gallery is protected by copyright©.
Noongar people are the traditional Aboriginal people from the Southwest of Western Australia and Noongar country 'boodja' covers an area from Jurien Bay through to Esperance.
The Noongar Seasons have always been a-part of Aboriginal life and like time itself, the Six Noongar Seasons represent a predictable timetable of foreseeable events. Acknowledgement that nothing is unconnected and each change is being influenced by the last.
Animals, insects and Noongar people have always relied on this process, moving across the land directed by the weather and location of available foods. Plants flower at the same times of year, bearing fruit and reproducing according to this endless cycle.
Recognising this beautiful connection and understanding the synchronicity of all these events that happen simultaneously gives us the knowledge to know what to do and when it needs to happen. Each small change is in direct response to another, and this symbolic interconnection is essential to maintain the eco cycle we all depend on for life.
To understand the specific indicators of the Seasonal Calendar, unique to land, is to read nature itself who will always provide us with the knowledge that has guided Aboriginal people for thousands of years.
The Southwest showcases spectacular colours from the sky in pinks, oranges, yellows and reds as the sun rises and the sun sets in the Season of Birak. Birak Season is all about landcare and preparation for new growth. Land (boodja) is slowly heated by the hot days, releasing the moisture that is returned by a break of rain. This cycle of hot weather and quenching rainfall enabled safe fire burning practices.
This is why Birak is referred to as the 'Burning Season', where Noongar people would initiate 'controlled burning', in order for the land to regenerate and allow for environmental regrowth. Flame (djarliny) was an important tool used to assist regrowth, using a combination of heat to release seeds and smoke (koorl) followed by rains to encourage the germination of seeds. Mosaic fire practices were utilised, and 'cool fire' practises ensured the fire was controlled at all times.
Christmas Tree (Moodjar) with bright orange/yellow flowers is now in full bloom. Reptiles are active and will be shedding their skin and young Magpies (Koolbardi) are learning new techniques but still reliant on their parents. The adult Koolbardi will often force independence of the young by a feeding demonstration followed by close supervision as they listen (ni) to the constant calling for food.
The sea breeze in the mornings and evenings makes this time of year refreshing and the ocean always gave an abundance of fresh food. The banksia is in flower and is used as a source of honey.
To represent the heat and hot weather
SECOND SUMMER - FEBRUARY & MARCH - SEASON OF ADOLESCENCE
To represent in-land travels
AUTUMN SEASON - APRIL & MAY - SEASON OF ADULTHOOD
To represent rain coming
FIRST RAIN - JUNE & JULY - FERTILITY SEASON
Djilba is welcomed by the bright yellow flower of many Acacia varieties. Mindaleny (Prickly Moses - Acacia pilchella) is one of the first to be seen. The weather is cold and birds are taking shelter from the sudden showers, then busy themselves with nest preparation during the mild sunny days. Food is abundant and animals begin pairing to prepare for offspring. Yonga (Kangaroos) and weitj (Emus) are taking advantage of the new growth and venture further inland as water sources are replenished and food is in abundant supply.
The foraging habit of Emus teaches their young how to survive and also helps to deliver seeds to new areas for future growth, maintaining the reliable food source. Possums (Ngwir) are extremely territorial and will venture out during the night but always return to their home tree where the koormal (female possum) starts to prepare a den for new offspring while the kelang (male possum) helps to collect soft supplies. The Galyang (Ridgid wattle - Acacia cochlearis), Kudjong (Orange wattle - Acacia salinga) are expected to burst with colour and gloriously flower mid-season.
As we progress though the Season and the weather warms, we can expect protective koolbardi (magpies) to guard their nest area by swooping upon uninvited guests, the djidi djidi (willy wagtail) dances to distract and chase larger birds and predators away with a swoop and loud clicking sound. The brushtail possum sometimes takes bird eggs for protein and is relentlessly chased away by the djidi djidi. Nearing the end of the Season, the grass tree (balga) will grow magnificent flower stalks and the yellow-green large cone flowers of the poolgarla (bull banksia - banksia grandis) can be seen. Traditionally, the cones were used to start campfires (karla) and were also useful for transporting the hot fire coals to a new location.
During the transition from Djilba to Kambarang Season, the weather rises in temperature with increasingly warm to hot dry days and less cold fronts coming from the coast. Wildflowers Djet Malkakoom, flower this time of year and an abundance of colour is displayed across country boodja. The Moodjar or Christmas Tree (Nuytsia floribunda) leads the Season and the continuation of yellow wildflowers is magnificently joined by a veritable plethora of colours from the explosion of wildflowers in every direction across the landscape, where the bees and small birds busy themselves with nectar collection.
The long tall flowering stalks of the great Balga grass tree (Xanthorrhoea preissii) are prevalent this time of year pointing to the sky, whilst the Kurup Australian Bluebells (Billardiera lehmanniana/ fusiformis/ heterophylla) provide a sweet treat closer to the ground. Boon or Bridal Rainbow (Drosera macrantha) with it’s pink or white flowers and carnivorous insect attracting leaves, grows in wet to rocky soil and is used as an energy boost when the small roots are eaten.
With the weather warming, reptiles such as Karda (Goanna), Noorn (dugite), Wakarl (Carpet Snake), Nornt (Tiger Snake) and Yoorn (Bobtail) emerge from their Seasonal hibernation looking for food and a warm place to reproduce.
The Koolbardi (Magpie) are noticeably protective of their newly born offspring and bush animals that rely on the receding fresh water sources could be found by traditional hunters who sustainably collected water fowl eggs, frogs, tortoises and marron. Traditionally, people would also move closer towards coastal areas, catching fish, crabs and shellfish to supplement their diet, where the whale migration along the Western Australian coastline is occurring.
There are many Aboriginal communities throughout Australia and all have their own language, lore systems, kinship systems and beliefs. Aboriginal language was an oral language that was passed down from one generation to the next, therefore the language can vary in spelling.
