Anangu Knowledge, Uluru Seasons

The traditional people in the region encompassing Yulara, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas), are known as ‘Anangu’. Their presence in the area dates back as far as 30,000 years, with some evidence to suggest even longer.

Knowing which fruits and foods are available at different times of the year, is the basis of the 5 Anangu Seasons, or Uluru Seasons.

Thanks to Parks Australia for information to the benefit of all visitors.

The five Anangu seasons

Piriyakutu/piriya piriya (August to September)

Piriya is the name of the warm, steady wind that arrives from the north and west at this time of year.

Warmer weather brings the park’s many reptiles out of hibernation. Animals start to breed, and food plants (including the honey grevillea) begin to flower, fruit and seed. This is also a good time to hunt kangaroo.

Mai wiyaringkupai/kuli (around December)

The hottest part of the year. This season brings storm clouds and lightning, but little rain.

There is not much food around at this time, and lightning strikes can start fires.

Itjanu/inuntji (January to March)

Puffy clouds appear on the western horizon and quickly move east to cover the sky, bringing rain with them.

Storms can come in from other directions, whipping up winds and sending the temperature down.

Many food plants flower during this season, and good rains produce plenty of fruit and seed.

Wanitjunkupai (April to May)

The cold weather creeps back over Uluru. Clouds come from the south and sit low on the hills for most of the day, but don’t produce much rain.

The park’s reptiles begin hibernating for the winter ahead.

Wari (late May to July)

This is the cold time, when there is nyinnga (frost) and kulyar-kulyarpa (mist or dew) every morning but little rain.

The frosts cure the grasses, drying and preserving them. This dry fuel feeds the fires that can ignite in early summer.

source: Parks Australia