Seasons of the D’harawal People

Weather cycles for around Sydney from the Bodkin/Andrews clan of the D’harawal.

Seasons of Australia

Goray’murrai Nov-Dec (approx)

Time of the blooming of the Kai’arrewan (Acacia binervia).
warm and wet, do not camp near rivers.
Parra’dowee the Great Eel calls his children to him.

Gadalung Marool Jan-Feb (approx)

Time of the blooming of the Weetjellan (Acacia implexa).
hot and dry, eat only fruit and seeds.
Burra (kangaroos) start having their babies.

Bana’murrai’yung Mar-May (approx)

Time of the ripening of the fruit of the Lillipilli (Syzygium spp).
Wet, getting cooler, time to make cloaks and start the journey to the coast.
Marrai’gang, the tiger quoll seeks her mate.

Tugarah tuli Jun-Jul (approx)

Time of the flowering of the Burringoa (Eucalyptus tereticornis).
Cold, time to gather the nectar for ceremony.
Barrugin, the echidna begin their gatherings.

Tugarah gunya’marra Aug (approx)

Time of the flowering of the Marrai’uo (Acacia floribunda)
Cold and windy, build shelters facing the rising sun, time to begin the journey to the highlands along the rivers, plenty of fish.
Boo’gul the marsupial mouse mates and dies.
Wiritjiribin, the Lyrebird builds his mounds when season ends.

Murrai’yunggoray Sep-Oct (approx)

Time of the Miwa Gawaian (Telopea peciosissima).
Cool, getting warmer, time for major ceremony.
Gathering of the Ngoonuni, flying foxes.

I’ve found this wheel very useful. It’s not completely relevant to my area as I live further up north in the country of the Darkinung people (about 4 hours drive away) however it’s a lot closer than the current seasons I follow. I’ve been drawing up my own calendar based on seasonal observations I’ve made – recently this has been quite hard because I’ve moved a few times. I’ve also noticed a change in the pattern; further digging has led me to this:

“Indigenous people also have a longer-term understanding of weather patterns. Bodkin’s clan has two other cycles that run considerably longer than the yearly cycle, the Mudong, or life cycle which covers about 11 or 12 years, and the Garuwanga, or Dreaming, which is a cycle of about 12,000 to 20,000 years.”

References: http://www.abc.net.au/science/features/indigenous/

Please Check out My Weather Journal Category for more information on Australian Season Cycles