We know the seasons as spring, summer, autumn and winter, but according to the Noongar calendar, there are six seasons: Birak (Dec-Jan), Bunuru (Feb-Mar), Djeran (Apr-May), Makuru (Jun-Jul), Djilba (Aug-Sept), and Kambarang (Oct-Nov).
These seasons are intricately intertwined with the land known as Boodjar, guiding the Noongar people, the traditional custodians of Western Australia’s southwest, in their hunting and food-gathering activities. For example, during Bunuru, the hottest time of the year, Noongar people find an abundance of seafood in shallow waters, including crabs, mussels, and fish, which become a staple in their diet.
However, in this calendar, there are no fixed start or end dates for each season. Instead, the transition from one season to another is a sensory experience that must be observed and felt. This profound connection was particularly evident to me during my visit to Perth’s EverNow festival.
In the Noongar calendar, Kambarang signifies the conclusion of the rainy season, a decrease in cold fronts, and the arrival of warmer temperatures. It is a time of renewal and fresh beginnings, as the land flourishes with vibrant wildflowers and an abundance of food, including various fruits and the gilgie, or freshwater crayfish. EverNow not only marks this transition but also celebrates the season of rebirth and new beginnings through a captivating dreamscape of light installations, storytelling, dance, music, and performances set amidst Perth’s lush green spaces.
The inaugural EverNow festival took place this year, spanning from October 4-9, and I was fortunate enough to attend. It offered a remarkable opportunity to explore the stories and traditions of Boorloo (Perth) and its Noongar people. EverNow’s immersive experiences connect you deeply with the land, instilling a profound appreciation for the beauty of Kambarang and its significance to the Noongar people. It’s an experience that transcends words, leaving an indelible mark of reverence for the cyclic rhythm of life and the awe-inspiring beauty of Kambarang.
Noongar Language in Technicolour
The festival kicked off with a futuristic dreamscape steeped in Noongar culture, where the air shimmers with vibrant song and dance. In this awe-inspiring spectacle, a ceremonial revolving stage stood at the heart, encircled by a sea of sand and bathed in a kaleidoscope of technicolour brilliance.
The Supreme Court Gardens, a mere stone’s throw away from Elizabeth Quay in Perth’s CBD, were transformed. Locals gathered around the multi-sensory jubilation of Noongar song and language, occupying picnic blankets, chairs, and any patch of grass they could experience this technicolour presentation brought to life by the visionary Boomerang & Spear team.
Despite the language barrier, the dynamic choreography and pulsating percussive rhythms communicated the narratives of the animals and the sacred earth that cradles Boorloo (Perth), the Great Southern, and Esperance. The performance unfolded in harmonious cycles, echoing the enduring spirit of the Noongar culture, where time is as boundless as the horizon.
A Fiery Wonderland
Like many First Nations communities, the Noongar people hold a reverence for fire, known as “karl.” Fire is emblematic of life and new beginnings, playing roles ranging from nourishing and safeguarding loved ones to regenerating the very essence of Boodjar, the land. Just steps away from the Song Circle was a Fire Garden, which turned the historic Government House into a fiery wonderland.
Compagnie Carabosse, a distinguished French collective renowned for illuminating iconic sites worldwide, including Stonehenge and the Kremlin Square, collaborated closely with Noongar custodian Mitchella “Waljin” Hutchins, to honour the profound connections between fire and the land.
This site-specific installation dazzled visitors with twirling flames, handcrafted colossal candles, and shadows that danced upon the walls of the Government House. Specially composed songs and melodies serenaded the nature of fire, paying homage to its sacred presence.
As you delved deeper into the experience, you found yourself enveloped by a surreal world where steel contraptions whirled, cradling pots of fire. Totem-like poles, etched with enigmatic symbols, emerged from the darkness, illuminated by the flickering light of the flames, creating an otherworldly tableau.
Talking Trees
In 2017, when Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, a Vivid-like light projection display, made its dazzling debut at Kings Park as the grand opening spectacle of the Perth Festival, it drew crowds to the heart of the city’s parkland. It only made sense for the organisers to bring it back for EverNow, armed with a new story and 3D projection technology.
With bated breath and hearts aflutter, spectators flowed into the hallway of trees, like a cathedral. People gazed in awe as the park’s towering gums were recast into radiant canvases, delivering a compelling message urging all to safeguard the natural world. In the distance, enigmatic figures emerged, dancing and singing amidst a kaleidoscope of colours as if they were celebrating around a flickering fire. Digitally rendered geckos playfully scurried up tree trunks, birds soared through the branches, and simulated rain showers enveloped the surroundings with the interplay of strobe lights and harmonious sounds. Deep in the corridor, you became part of the story as light projections sat on people’s backs and heads.
The further in the park you journeyed, the more the story unfolded. Just a few meters away from the cathedral of gum trees, another projection materialised, depicting the iconic swans, emblematic of Western Australia and revered figures in Dreamtime legends. The accompanying narration wove tales of nurture and rebirth, but soon, a sombre transformation transpired. Deep crimson light bathed the landscape, low-lying smoke billowed across the lawn, and the once lush setting transformed into a haunting sea of red.
The journey led the audience to the next lightscape, a surreal wonderland aglow with gentle purple hues and enchanting mason jars suspended from the trees. Initially, it appeared as a dreamscape, a paradise for the discerning Instagram enthusiast. Yet, upon closer inspection and attentive listening, a more sinister undercurrent emerged. The jars held plant specimens and placards identifying these plants. The voice in the background spoke of the abundance of plants and animals in a specific region, but the message was clear — this was a eulogy for the land.
Walking through this enchanting but disconcerting landscape, we were confronted with the unsettling truth of a dying land. However, there was a glimmer of hope. The final installation was of a colossal Swan egg, dwarfing even the size of a car. Perched on a wooden nest beneath a canopy of illuminated wires, it symbolised the promise of new life and beginnings. In the background, the children’s voices discussed planting trees, offering hope for the future. Kambarang is a season of rebirth, and this colossal egg became an emblem of that renewal, a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the enduring potential for rejuvenation.
EverNow Again
In the wake of EverNow’s instant success of EverNow, Perth has declared its commitment to an annual festival, a steadfast tradition set to grace the Kambarang season year after year. While the specific events and enriching experiences may evolve or diversify, one core truth will endure—a resounding message. It remains a tribute to the season and the Noongar people, unwavering in its dedication to illuminating the narratives and enduring traditions of one of the planet’s oldest and most resilient cultures.
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