A new television series showcasing Indigenous seasonal knowledge is being shown on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) now following a joint project with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).
Announcing the Many Lands, Many Seasons series, CSIRO said it provided people with an opportunity to learn about Indigenous seasonal knowledge by taking a virtual visit on Country and hear from Elders and school children as they walked the audience through their seasons.
“The show is based on Indigenous seasonal calendars that have been produced by senior Aboriginal knowledge holders, with support from CSIRO,” the Organisation said.
“Each of the four episodes highlight the diverse and unique knowledge held by different Aboriginal language groups across the Top End of Australia,” it said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia’s First Scientists, have always held a deep understanding of their seasons.”
CSIRO said that over tens of thousands of years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ observations of the environment had led to a highly detailed understanding of the interactions between plants, animals, water, weather, fire and even the stars.
“These inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of which seasonal foods are ready for harvesting, when different animals are breeding, and what land and sea management actions should take place at any given time,” it said.
“The ABC and CSIRO worked with Elders and local schools in the Tiwi Islands (Northern Territory), Daly River (Nauiyu, NT), Kunbarlanja (Gunbalanya) in western Arnhem Land (NT), and in the Fitzroy Valley (Western Australia) to create engaging films about the seasons observed there.”
CSIRO said the series also explored activities that were undertaken by communities on Country, in line with their seasonal knowledge.
Many Lands, Many Seasons can be accessed on ABC iView at this PS News link.
