Lately I have been noticing that the days are getting shorter and the season is changing. In the local Aboriginal culture this is bunuru, it corresponds roughly to the months of February and March. According to the Menang people it is a time of hot easterly and northerly winds. The skies are ‘smokey and hazy’ and the weather is ‘cool and moderate’. This is the season for Herring and Salmon.’ Traditionally a ‘Clever Man’ would sit and make a fire, of which the smoke would blow over the water. He would sing Chorgk Chorgk. The salmon would then bring the herring into the shore and they would beach themselves. After the herring season, the porpoise bring in the salmon, and the same process….will begin for the salmon. Karda (racehorse goanna) eggs are also in abundance and ready to eat. (Gillies, 2005; Williams, 2005)
For a wadjela like myself it brings a welcome change, lately some rain and a different set of surf conditions to the howling south-easterlies (which also fortuitously bring some swell though) This is our first bunuru in Denmark so it will be interesting to watch.
Cultural info from Kinjarling Report.
