Language & Culture Program

Kii, Deadly TPS community, biladu-njan wat/how are you all? And in the words of my Yawuru language...Ngaji gurrjin/Hello everyone! 

This term, we have been learning about the following two Wurundjeri Seasons in Melbourne:

• Berrentak Darr-Karr - Cold West Wind and Artefact-Making Season. This season takes place from about mid-May through to the beginning of August, and is marked by the cold west winds blowing throughout this winter period. 

This season was not conducive to much travel and Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people spent much of their time around their wilams/homes, repairing or making new tools and necessary equipment in preparation for the active and bountiful spring period ahead. Although tools and artefacts were able to be made throughout the year, this was a time that was ideal for engaging the children in close instruction of various tool and equipment making skills. This was also a time when women’s pregnancies were developing.

The flowering of Silver Wattles signalled the end of this cold west and artefact-making season and the arrival of the morning frost and bark harvest season.

LOTE 1 - 6

• Tangbilk Ningak - Morning Frost and Bark Harvest Season. This period of fairly clear and sunny days but cool, moderate winds that often results in more frequent morning frosts takes place throughout August. 

The first flow of sap is stimulated by this late winter sunshine in early August and facilitates bark harvesting. Harvesting bark at this time allows time for trees to heal before the height of summer. 

Time was devoted to making canoes, tarnuks (large wooden bowls) and other bark implements. New canoes were made to navigate flooded lowlands and for fishing. Tarnuks and other bark artefacts were made for bushfood gathering in the coming seasons of bounty. Wattles and orchids are blooming. Women were often entering their last term of pregnancy.

(Reference for the seasons: The Eight Wurundjeri Seasons in Melbourne, Jim Poulter, 2015)

Students are continuing to learn and practice greetings and introductions, basic conversation phrases and classroom commands, and how to respond in Woiwurrung during roll call. Students are also continuing their learning and consolidation of family/people nouns and body part nouns. Check out last month’s newsletter for some audio recordings which can be used for practising at home.

Have a chat with your child/ren about what they are learning.

Twaganin (Woiwurrung) Galia (Yawuru) / See you later

WAYAPA with Aunty Lee