The Change That Comes with Luk Season
We have just entered Luk (eel season) in the Kulin Nation seasonal calendar. Wurundjeri, Woi-wurrung people mark 7 distinct seasons across the calendar year by noticing the behaviour of animals, changes to weather patterns, plant life and even the position of stars in the sky. The Kulin calendar provides a much more accurate account of Country and what we can notice going on in our environment. As Victorians, we know that the colonial seasons; Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, can sometimes struggle to capture what's going on, as often we encounter all of these seasons in one day.
Luk, (eel season) lasts for the month of March. It's a short window of time when Wurundjeri Country feels especially bountiful and abundant. Waterways are full of luk (short finned eels) as they migrate from rivers to the sea to breed. We can also notice the hot summer winds beginning to settle as temperatures cool down, nights and days are equal length, Binap (manna gums) are flowering and Lo-an-tuka, the brightest star can be seen due south at sunset.
Our team has been learning about the Kulin seasonal calendar. Because so much of our work involves planning outdoor events, this knowledge has become an invaluable resource for understanding our environment, anticipating weather patterns, and responding to Country more thoughtfully. As our work is place-based, we believe it’s essential to learn from the immense cultural knowledge of First Nations peoples. Practicing noticing different seasonal signs has also helped to strengthen our appreciation and respect for Country.
Luk is our favourite time of year to be out and about, hosting pop-ups and conversations. With day and night held in near balance, the light lingers just long enough for people to connect after work. Luk also keeps us alert to shifting conditions; warm days that still call for hats, sunscreen and icy poles for participants, but sudden cool changes, and gusty winds remind us winter is on its way.
If you would like to learn more about the Kulin seasons here are some good resources:
https://museumsvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/resources/forest-secrets/
https://www.sofiajsabbagh.com/product/my-seasonal-signposts-calendar
