Nyoongar seasonal calendar
The Nyoongar seasonal calendar includes 6 seasons in a yearly cycle. These are Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang.
Each of the 6 seasons represents and explains the seasonal changes we see annually. The flowering of many different plants, the hibernation of reptiles, and the moulting of swans are all helpful indicators that the seasons are changing.
The Nyoongar seasons can be long or short and are indicated by what is happening and changing around us rather than by dates on a calendar. Aligning Nyoongar seasons with Western calendar months can provide an overview of a typical year.
This 6-season calendar is extremely important to Nyoongar people. It's a guide to what nature is doing at every stage of the year, and increases understanding and respect for the land in relation to plant and animal fertility cycles and land and animal preservation.
For more information on Nyoongar culture visit Kaartdijin Noongar – Noongar Knowledge.
Birak – season of the young
First summer: December to January
Mosaic burning time.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Birak
Birak season sees the rains ease up and the warm weather start to take hold. The afternoons are cooled by the sea breezes that abound from the south-west. This was the fire season, a time to burn the country in mosaic patterns.
An almost clockwork-style of easterly winds in the morning and sea breezes in the afternoon meant that traditionally this was the burning time of year for Nyoongar people.
They would burn the country in mosaic patterns for several reasons including fuel reduction, increasing the grazing pastures for some animals, to aid in seed germination for some plants and for ease of mobility across the country.
As for the animals, there are many fledglings now venturing out of nests, though some are still staying close to their parents. Reptiles are looking to shed their old skin for a new one.
With the rising temperatures and the decreasing rainfall, it's also time for baby frogs to complete their transformation into adulthood.
View the ABC's video on Birak season.
Bunuru – season of adolescence
Emus can be seen eating the female Zamia (Macrozamia riedlei) flower during Bunuru
Second summer: February to March
Coast living and fishing time.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Bunuru
Bunuru is the hottest time of the year with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue with a cooling sea breeze most afternoons if you're close to the coast. Therefore, traditionally this was, and still is, a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estuaries. Because of this, freshwater foods and seafood made up major parts of the diet during this time of year.
Bunuru is also a time of the white flowers with lots of white flowering gums in full bloom, including Jarrah, Marri and Ghost Gums.
Another striking flower that is hard to go past is the female Zamia (Macrozamia riedlei). Being much larger than its male counterpart, the huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant with masses of a cotton wool-like substance.
As the hot, dry weather continues, the seed on the cones change from green to bright red. This indicates they're ripening and becoming more attractive to animals. Emus, in particular, eat the toxic fleshy outer.
View the ABC's video on Bunuru season.
Djeran – season of adulthood
Autumn: April to May
Ant season.
Time to repair housing and shelter.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Djeran
Djeran season, at last, sees a break in the really hot weather. A key indicator of the change of season is the cool nights that once again bring a dewy presence in the early mornings.
The winds have also changed, especially in their intensity, with light breezes generally swinging from southerly directions (south-east to south-west). Many flying ants can be seen cruising around in the light winds.
Djeran is a time of red flowers, especially from the Red-flowering Gum (Corimbia ficifolia) and Summer Flame (Beaufortia aestiva). As you travel around the Perth area, you may notice the red 'rust' and seed cones forming on the male and female Sheoaks (Allocasuarina fraseriana). Banksias start to display their flowers, providing nectar food sources for many small mammals and birds.
Traditionally, foods at this time of year include seeds collected and stored for treatment from the Zamia last season along with the root bulbs of the Yanget (Bullrushes), fresh water fish, frogs and turtles.
As the season progresses, the nights become cooler and damper. Some days are cool and rainy, which means that traditionally mia mias (houses or shelters) were repaired and updated to make sure they were waterproof and facing in the right direction in readiness for the deep winter months to come.
View the ABC's video on Djeran season.
Makuru – season of fertility
During Makuru, Mali (Black Swan) prepare to nest and breed
Winter: June to July
Time to move inland.
More food available.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Makuru
Makaru is the coldest and wettest time of the year. Traditionally, this was a good time of year to move inland from the coast. The winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.
As the waterways and catchments started to fill, people were able to move about their country with ease. Their food sources changed from sea, estuarine and lake foods to those of the lands, in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo. As well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things. For example, Yongar (kangaroos) provided meat and 'bookas' (animal skin cloaks that were used as the nights became much cooler). Nothing was left – even the bones and sinews were used in the manufacturing of bookas and for hunting tools, such as spears.
Makuru is also a time for many animals to be pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. If you look carefully, you might see pairs of Wardongs (ravens) flying together. You also notice these pairs not making the usual 'ark ark arrrrrk' that they're well known for when flying solo. Upon the lakes and rivers of the south-west, you'll see a large influx of Mali (Black Swan) as they too prepare to nest and breed.
Flowers emerge, including the blues and purples of the Blueberry Lilly (Dianella revoluta) and the Purple Flags (Patersonia occidentalis). As the season ends, white flowers of the weeping peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) begin to bloom, and the blue flowers of Djilba change to white and cream flowers.
View the ABC's video on Makuru season.
Djilba – season of conception
First spring: August to September
Transitional time of year.
Flowers starting.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Djilba
Djilba is a transitional time of the year. There are some very cold and clear days combining with warm, rainy and windy days and the occasional sunny day or two.
This is the start of the massive flowering explosion in the south-west. This starts with the yellow flowering plants, such as the Acacias. You'll also see cream flowers, and some vivid and striking blues.
Traditionally, the main food sources included many of the land-based grazing animals as in the season before. These included the Yongar (kangaroo), the Waitj (emu) and the Koomal (possum).
As the days start to warm up, we start to see and hear the first of the newborns. They're out with their proud parent who are providing food, guiding them through foraging tasks, and protecting their family units from much bigger animals, including people.
The woodland birds will still be nest-bound, hence the swooping protective behavior of the Koolbardi (Magpie), Djidi Djidi (Willie Wagtails) and Chuck-a-luck (Wattle Birds).
As the season progresses and the temperatures rise, the flower stalks of the Balgas (Grass Trees) emerge in preparation for the coming Kambarang season.
View the ABC's video on Djilba season.
Kambarang – season of birth
Second spring: October to November
Transformational time of year.
Flowers abound.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Kambarang
During the Kambarang season, we see an abundance of colours and flowers exploding all around us. The yellows of many of the Acacias continue to abound, along with some of the Banksias and many other smaller delicate flowering plants including the Kangaroo Paw and Orchids. The Balgas will also start to flower, especially if they've been burnt in the past year or closely shaved.
One of the most striking displays of flowers to be seen during this season will be the Mooja, or Australian Christmas Tree (Nuytsia). The bright orange-yellow flowers serve to signal the heat is on its way.
For the animals, October is also the most likely time of the year you'll see a snake. The reptiles are starting to wake from hibernation and look for food. Many baby birds will be singing out for their parents to feed them. Koolbardies (Magpies) will be protecting their nests and babies.
Many things are undergoing transformation with the warm change in the weather.
Longer dry periods accompany a definite warming trend.
View the ABC's video on Kambarang season.
Disclaimer
Please be aware that there are different ways to spell Nyoongar (Nyungar, Nyoongar, Noongah) and Nyoongar words. Nyoongar language, like all traditional languages in Australia, is an oral language. Throughout this calendar, we have maintained the spelling as Nyoongar, and we respectfully include all people in the south-west.
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