Old man sun is eel season on Boonwurrung country | NAIDOC Week | ABC Australia

Summary

Faye Stewart-Muir, a Boon Wurrung, Wamba Wamba, and Wergiai woman, shares a story written by her cousin Carolyn Briggs titled 'The Journey of the Eels.' The story follows the seasonal migration of female eels, who travel from rivers and creeks, including the Yarra River, to the sea during the cooler months of February and March. The Boon Wurrung people celebrated the return of the eels in spring with ceremonies, dances, and traditional preparations. The eels' migration provided a vital food source and symbolized prosperity, reflecting the harmony between nature and the Boon Wurrung way of life.

Takeaways

• 🌞 The Boon Wurrung people refer to the months of February and March as 'old man sun,' a season when the days become cooler.
• 🌧️ This time of year is also known for the return of summer rain, marking the eel season.
• 🦯 Female eels begin their journey down the Birrarung (Yarra River) and from other rivers and creeks into Port Phillip Bay.
• 🪢 Boon Wurrung women weave nets to catch the eels as they travel down the rivers.
• 🌊 Many eels travel out through the old river channel of Port Phillip Bay into the sea, not to be seen for many months.
• 🎉 In spring, the eels return from their journey, and this event is celebrated with dances and ceremonies by the Boon Wurrung people.
• 🌼 Boon Wurrung women decorate their hair with yam daisies and kangaroo apples and create drum rhythms to symbolize the eels' pulsating beat.
• 🔥 Eels are caught in woven traps, some are roasted over hot coals, while others are smoked and preserved for later use or trade.
• 🪵 The migration of eels provided a reliable food source for the Boon Wurrung, symbolizing prosperity and good land stewardship.
• 🪶 The eels' return each year, along with their numbers, indicated the Boon Wurrung's care for the land and adherence to the laws of Bunjil.

Q & A

Who is the storyteller in the script?

The storyteller is Faye Stewart-Muir, a Boon Wurrung, Wamba Wamba, and Wergiai woman.

What is the main subject of the story being told?

The story is about 'The journey of the ilk,' which refers to the migration of eels in Boon Wurrung culture.

What time of year is referred to as 'Old Man Sun' by the Boon Wurrung people?

The months of February and March are referred to as 'Old Man Sun,' when the days grow cooler and the sun begins to age.

Why are eels significant in the Boon Wurrung culture?

Eels are significant because their migration provides a reliable food source, and their journey is celebrated through dances, ceremonies, and traditions.

How were the eels caught by the Boon Wurrung women?

The eels were caught using long woven nets, which were carefully crafted by the women as the eels swam down the rivers.

What happens to the eels once they leave the rivers and enter the sea?

Once the eels leave the rivers and enter the sea, they are not seen again for many months until they return in the spring.

How did the Boon Wurrung people celebrate the return of the eels?

The return of the eels was celebrated with dances and ceremonies, where women decorated their hair with yam daisies and kangaroo apples, and played drums made from possum skin to create rhythms for the men's dances.

What methods did the Boon Wurrung use to prepare and preserve the eels?

Some eels were roasted over hot coals, while others were smoked and hung in the branches of trees to be eaten later or traded with other clans.

What did the number of eels leaving and returning each year signify?

The number of eels leaving and returning each year was a sign of prosperity. In good years, when the land was cared for and the laws of Bunjil were obeyed, eels would breed in large numbers and provide ample food.

How did the eels contribute to the Boon Wurrung’s food supply during the year?

The eels provided a steady supply of food during the spring and summer seasons, growing fat on tubers and insects in the swamps, which the Boon Wurrung harvested each year.