Noongar Seasons
Acknowledging the Noongar seasons of Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang is a component of the Bureau of Meteorology website and now a new initiative of the South Metropolitan Health Service. Noongar boodja (country) covers the entire south-western portion of Western Australia and therefore encompasses Mandurah and the Riverside ESC community.
The six-season calendar is extremely important to Noongar people as a guide to what nature is doing at every stage of the year, as well as understanding respect for the land.
We are currently in the season of Djeran (season of adulthood) running through April and May, which sees a break in the really hot weather, with cool nights and the winds change to light breezes from southerly directions. It is a time of red flowers especially from the red flowering gum.
As the season progresses, the nights become cooler and more damp with some cool and rainy days. Traditionally, this was the time shelters were prepared for the deep wintery months to come in the next season, Makuru (season of fertility), through June and July.
This information is sourced from the Bureau of Meteorology Indigenous Weather Knowledge.
Pictured is a public artwork commemorating the life and times of significant Aboriginal leader Yaburgurt, George Winjan, which was installed in Mandurah’s Mandjar Square in 2017. The artwork highlights Mandurah’s Aboriginal culture and represents the themes of societal changes, understanding and reconciliation advocated by Yaburgurt and his people.
The artwork overlooks the waterway in Mandjar Square and consists of a spherical shape with tall glass panels that represent the six Noongar seasons. (Images are courtesy of Mandurah Mail)