Traditionally Birak is known as the” first summer” and time for controlled fire burning. With easterly winds most mornings and sea breezes in the afternoon, communities were known to burn in mosaic patterns. This would flush out game for food and burn out weeds. Birak is also known as the “Season of the Young” and symbolizing heat, the sun and Karla/fire. Birak is a time of celebration when Noongar people would gather together as they moved towards the coast where the ocean provided plenty of fresh food.
At this time of the year the beautiful orange-yellow flowers of the Moodjar (Nuytsia floribunda) tree, a very spiritually significant tree for the Noongar people, are in full bloom.
These trees along with the Jacaranda can be seen around the hills just now and most of us will be thinking of the coming Christmas celebrations and our holiday trips perhaps also to the coast.
Most people will have begun decorating their homes and front gardens with Christmas lights.
Christmas Card sent from the Mundaring Road Board in1937
Ball Family at Coolgardie St Mundaring 1916