By Sonia Marie, a proud Bunurong woman and educator
Storytelling is part of my culture.
Storytelling keeps my culture alive.
I would like to share my story for the new season we are entering… it is the season of WEEYUKABUL N’YO’WEENTH (old man sun) where the movements of the people are led by the stars in the northern sky.
Now is the time for the Kulin people to prepare for YAIN YANG (dance and song).
It is ceremony time.
Take your eyes to the BOORURN (sky) map.
The MOONMOONDIIK (Pleiades constellation) is visible now and you can see Orion nearby wearing his belt and tools.
This signals the BAGGAROOKS (woman) and young girls and the COOLEENTH (men) and YAN YEANS (boys) to seperate.
Coming of age ceremonies have begun and everyone won’t see each other again now until the end of season dance.
Communication is done between the groups with small WEENTHS (fires) seen flickering at night up and down the coastline.
Each one letting their family group know everyone is safe.
It is a sacred time and the people have been preparing for many weeks.
Hot MOORNMOOT (winds) blow across the BEEK (country) now, the NOWEENTH (sun) is high.
The BARGAN (cool) night air travels across WARRAIN (the ocean) and brings relief from the daylight heat.
BULGANA (meat) is smoked and hung out to dry in preparation for the cooler months.
Camps are near large, fresh water holes and TOUIT (fish) snapper, flounder, EOKE(eels) and abolone are in abundance at this time of year.
All that seafood needs to be mixed with plant food so tubers are collected from the Murnong and Lillies and Warragul greens, sea celery and KARKALLA (pig face) are added to the evening meal.
Fruit from MORR (prickly currant bush) EEPAEEP (native raspberry) and BALLART (cherry ballart) are picked by the BOOBOOPS (children).
BEENAKS (baskets) filled with sweet berries.
Gum from the wattle and eucalyptus is collected and stored in hollows of trees on walking tracks to be used in the future for burns, tummy aches and where necessary repairs on tools and spears.
A special drink called BEAL is made, to get ready for the coming together dance.
Holes are dig and sealed then flowers from the DARGURN (yellow box) and River Red Gum are added to soak and ferment.
As the Kulin people lay under the bright night BOORURN (sky) with their fires burning, stories are told and lessons learnt.
Venus MENIYAN (moon) is close now and meteor showers can be seen streaking their bright lights across the country.
Many shooting TUTBYRUMS (stars) fall at this time of the year, many wishes are made and many whispers to the ancestors can be heard through the quietness of the night.
-Sonia Marie, a proud Bunurong woman and educator
