The Yamaji and Noongar people looked to the night sky to predict when to hunt, harvest and come together. They looked at the stars, and the spaces between the stars, as a guide to important natural events such as the passing of the seasons.
For many Aboriginal groups around Australia, including the Noongar and Yamaji people, the appearance of an emu shape along the Milky Way signals the start of the emu mating season. As the shape gradually brightens over a few months, Aboriginal people know when the emu will lay its eggs and when to gather them.
Aboriginal people did not refer to a written calendar to work out the season. They were guided by the environment – the wind, the rain and the sky – to tell them when seasons were changing. Many Aboriginal groups observed different seasons to that of the European four-season year.
Why not go along to an Aboriginal Astronomy night time viewing at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory in Gingin. https://gravitycentre.rezdy.com/165800/aboriginal-astronomy-night
For more information please visit https://www.nacc.com.au/project/education/