Noongar six seasons

Birak

December - January

Birak or ‘first summer’ is recognised as the ‘hot dry time and burning time’. During Birak, there are hot easterly winds in the mornings and sea breezes in the afternoon, and the rain stops.

The colour of Birak is red. This symbolises heat, sun and fire.

Traditionally for Noongar people, Birak is fire season – a time to burn the lands to reduce undergrowth, increase mobility and to help with plant germination. The fires would also force yongars (kangaroos) and kardas (goannas) and other small marsupials into the open, which helped with hunting. Burning off would also help make movement across the lands easier.

During Birak, there was a lot of fresh food available in the lakes and rivers, including mullet, beam, marron and crabs.

Birak is recognised as the ‘season of the young’. During Birak, young animals will venture from their nests for the first time. It is also the season reptiles come out of hibernation, and snakes (waugal) shed their old skin for a new one.

Bunuru

February - March

Bunuru or ‘second summer’ is the hottest of the six seasons, with long hot days, short nights and little rain. During Bunuru, the hot easterly wind set in, with afternoon sea breezes.

The colour of Bunuru is orange. This symbolises abundance of fishing and the lack of rain.

Many fruits come into season during Bunuru. For some fruit, for example the jeeriji (zamia), toxins need to be removed before they are eaten. The flowering fruits are a sign to migrate to the coastal areas to enjoy the rich fishing opportunities.

This is traditionally a very social time of the year, with many people gathering by freshwater areas to enjoy fishing and crabbing, which makes up most of the diet at this time of the year.

Bunuru is recognised as the ‘season of adolescence’. The young animals who first ventured out in Birak are now maturing.

Djeran

April – May

Djeran, the ‘autumn period’, is characterised by the break in the hot weather, with cool nights and dewy mornings. In Djeran, the wind picks up from the southwest.

The colour of this season is green, which symbolises cooler weather and eucalyptus trees.

During Djeran, the seeds and fruits which were collected and treated in Bunuru are ready to be eaten.  Fishing continues through this season, with freshwater fish, frogs and turtles in abundance.

In lead up to the coldest part of the year, mia mias (houses or shelters) are repaired and waterproofed and facing in the right direction in readiness for the winter time.

Djeran is recognised as the ‘season of adulthood’. The adolescent animals will reach full maturity through the season, and will be ready for Makuru, the season of fertility.

Makuru

June – July

Makuru, ‘winter time’, is usually the coldest, wettest and windiest season of the year. At the start of Makuru, people start to move inland from the coast to protect themselves from the cold coastal winds, as the rains replenish inland water supplies.

The colour of this season is blue, which symbolises the rain and cold weather.

Food sources move from the coast to the land, in particular grazing animals like yongar (kangaroos), who not only provide meat, but also ‘bookas’ (skin cloaks that provide warmth).  Kuljak (swans) also begin moulting, making them unable to fly and easy to catch.

Wild carrots and several species of wild potato also become ready for harvesting.

Flora associated with this season include lilies, purple flags and weeping peppermint trees.

Makuru is known as the ‘season of fertility’, as it is a time for a lot of animals to be pairing in preparation for breeding.

Djilba

August – September

Djilba, ‘first spring’, is a transitional time of the year in terms of the weather, with clear cold nights and days, combined with some warmer, yet windy and rainy days.

The colour for this season is pink, which symbolises the growth of wildflowers and plants.

The main food sources for this season are roots (meen and djakat) and tubers (platysace cirrosa) as the bush begins to rejuvenate from the warmer weather.

Other food sources include tortoises, emus (waitch or waitji) bandicoots (quenda), kangaroos (yongars) and possums (koomals) and eggs.

Flora associated with this season include white and yellow flowering plants such as Acacias and grass trees (balgas).

Djilba is known as the ‘season of conception’. When the days start to warm up, the first of the newborns emerge with their parents and learn foraging skills.

Kambarang

October – November

Kambarang, ‘second spring’ is characterised by longer dry periods, warmer weather and less cold fronts.

The colour of this season is yellow, which symbolises the return of hot weather.

During Kambarang, people move back towards the coast to take advantage of the rich food sources including, frogs (kooyal), tortoises (yaarkin) and freshwater crayfish (gilgies). Snakes and other reptiles, such as goannas are also available as they wake from hibernation.

Kambarang is the height of the wildflower season. Flora associated with this season include quandong (santalum acuminatum) of which the fruit is a key food source, acacias, banksias, grass trees (balgas), kangaroo paws and orchids. The mooja or Australian Christmas tree (nuytsia floribunda) with its bright orange flowers provides sweet gum.

Kambarang is known as the ‘season of birth’ as many animals and plants undergo transformation with the warming weather. The magpies (koolbardi) demonstrate swooping behaviour as they protect their babies.