Noongar calendar six seasons: Djilba

Noongar people are the traditional owners of the south-west of Western Australia and have been for over 45,000 years. In the Noongar calendar, the months of August and September bring the season of Djilba.

Mainstream education teaches the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, but in Western Australia, we have six seasons. These seasons clearly indicate change in weather. Aboriginal culture dates back tens of thousands of years and reveals an astounding knowledge and understanding of the environment.

Through this ancient wisdom, the Noongar people (sometimes spelled Nyoongar or Nyungar) live across the south-west of Western Australia, from Jurien Bay in the north, east to Moora and Esperance in the south. Life was lived according to the six seasons, moving with the availability of various food sources, weather patterns and cultural habits.

The six Noongar Aboriginal Seasons are:

• Birak (December-January)
• Bunuru (February-March)
• Djeran (April-May)
• Makuru (June-July)
• Djilba (August-September)
• Kambarang (October-November)

Djilba – August/September

Djilba is a colourful time due to abundant wildflowers emerging with the warmer days. It is noted as a transitional time of the seasons, with still cooler weather interspersed with warmer days. Food sources continued to be grazing animals such as kangaroo and emu, but possum was also hunted. Traditional water sources were replenished, and family groups often hunted together. With the warmer weather, the flower stalks of the Grass Trees (Balgas) start to emerge.

Artist, Rikki Garlett

The beautiful image above was created by Rikki Garlett, a local Ballardong artist who grew up in Northam. Her ambition is to create traditional art inspired by the stories of her culture shared with her as a child. She sees her art as a way to share knowledge and connect with the community. If you would like Rikki for other projects, please contact Wheatbelt NRM.

Noongar Season Dateless Planner

In conjunction with the Wheatbelt NRM Elders Advisory Group, WA’s Wheatbelt NRM organisation has produced a wonderful yearly planner laid out with the Noongar six seasons. It’s a dateless planner and includes photographs and stories from all over the Wheatbelt along with art from local Ballardong artist Rikki Garlett. You’ll discover more about the six Noongar Aboriginal Seasons and the unique Wheatbelt environment. The planner is for sale from Wheatbelt NRM’s website.

The first astronomers

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were the world’s first astronomers, studying the night sky and navigating using the stars long before Babylonia, Greek or Roman astronomers. Tens of thousands of years of culture and heritage are reflected in WA’s night sky. Astrotourism WA acknowledge and pay tribute to the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Western Australia. We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait people as the world’s first astronomers and their continuing connection to lands, sky, waters and communities. We offer our respect to them, their cultures, and to Elders both past and present.