An old map of Australia showing the distribution of Aboriginal tribes across the country.

Tindale, Norman B. (Norman Barnett), 1900-1993. (1940). Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal tribes of Australia [cartographic material] / by Norman B. Tindale. http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230054338

Colonial settlers brought with them to Australia the concept of four distinct seasons. While this works for much of southern Australia, non-Indigenous people in the other parts of Australia identify seasonal change as wet and dry.

Indigenous communities have age-old seasonal calendars. For example, the Bininj/Mungguy people of Kakadu identify six seasons:

  1. gudjewg: monsoonal
  2. banggerreng: stormy
  3. yegge: cool
  4. wurrgeng: cold
  5. gurrung: hot and dry
  6. gunumeleng: hot and humid

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology hosts an Indigenous knowledge webpage where you can discover the seasonal calendars of other communities.

Activities

A Diverse Climate

Investigate seasonal calendars with your class. Do the four ‘European’ seasons describe your local weather well enough? What circumstances might require a different approach?

Connect with local Indigenous community Elders and invite them to share their knowledge about the weather where you live.

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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