The Seven Seasons of the Eastern Kulin Nation
Interpretive signage along the Resilience theme
The Seven Seasons of the Eastern Kulin Nation
The First Peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation, including the Traditional Owners of this land, the Wurundjeri woiwurrung people, measure change with an annual cycle of seasons marked by changes in the land, animals, water and sky. On this land there are seven annual seasons while two non-annual seasons, fire and flood, occur on average, every seven and 28 years.
biderap (Dry season) is January and February, characterised by hot, dry weather and low rainfall. The female common brown butterfly is seen flying around and the bowat (tussock grass) is high and dry. During this season, the Southern Cross constellation is in the south at sunrise.
yuk (Eel season) occurs in March when the hot winds cease and temperatures cool. The eels are ready to eat the manna gum flowers and the Hunter constellation is seen due south at sunset.
April to July is warinj (Wombat season), with lower temperatures and cool, misty mornings coinciding with the highest rainfall of the year. Wombats are seen, bullen bullen (superb lyrebirds) begin courtship displays, and the hearts of soft tree ferns provide a food source when other fruits are no longer available.
guling (Orchid season) is August when the orchids begin flowering and the cold weather is ending. Caterpillars of the common brown butterfly eat grasses at night, silver wattles flower and koalas begin their noisy night-time mating rituals.
poorneet (Tadpole season) occurs from September to October. Rain continues but the weather becomes warmer. Flax lilies begin flowering. Murnong (yam daisies) are ready for harvesting and the day and night are equally long.
buath gurru (Grass Flowering season) occurs in November when the kangaroo grass flowers. Bats are seen flying around, as well as the male common brown butterfly. Coranderrk (Victorian Christmas bush) begins flowering.
December is garrawang (Kangaroo Apple season). The weather is changeable bringing many summer storms. Goannas are active, bunjil (wedge-tailed eagles) are breeding, and there is fruit on the kangaroo apple bushes. Days are long with short nights.
woiwurrung translations by Wurundjeri woman Brooke Wandin.
IMAGE:
Stephen N
Wurundjeri people
Iuk (Eel) Season, 2020
acrylic on canvas
51 x 75 cm
This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.