Page 43 - Tropic Magazine Issue 37

TROPIC • ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE

Five seasons

CLIMATE
Like many First Nations groups,
the Yirrganydji people have a
more nuanced version of the
region’s wet and dry seasons on
their yearly calendar.
Words: Renee Cluff
Inhabiting coastal and sea Country
between Cairns and Port Douglas, the
ancestors of the Yirrganydji people
closely monitored the subtle changes
in seasons to dictate how they lived.
Fluctuations in the weather, as well as
plant flowering, the availability of animals
for food and even the presence of marine
stingers that came to bear their name,
all played a part. Sensitive observations 1
of the transformations going on around
them were fundamental to culture
and ceremony. They were also crucial
to management of Country, including
vegetation burn-offs.

Under the umbrella of two major Jan Jimburralji
seasons, the Yirrganydji people
have five minor seasons …
The half of the year where it’s wet is
known as Kurrabana, marked by unsettled Dec Feb March April May
conditions. November to January, when Jawarranyji storm time
the first storms and rains arrive, is
Jawarranyji. Between January and May it’s
Jimburralji, or cyclone time. Kurrabana
The dry half of the year, known as (wet season)
Kurraminya, has three minor seasons.
Jinjim falls between May and July and is
thought of as the cool months, Nov Kurraminya
when there is dew on the ground, (dry season)
however the cooler conditions continue Wumbulji
until September.
From July to September, it’s windy time, Jun
or Yiwanyji – vital knowledge for Yiwanyji windy time
the seafarers. Oct
What many refer to as the wet season
build-up is known to the Yirrganydji Jinjim
as Wumbulji – or hot time – between Jul
September and November. Sep
Aug

1. Yirrganydji Land and Sea Rangers.
Credit: Queensland Government

43 • tropicnow.com.au