55 There are precious memories etched into the spirits of everyone there that special day. Our hearts were full with joy, pride, and gratitude as we left Gutjun Bulok, we knew we had returned some Wi Murrup there that night. A variety of Djaara priority plant species and native grasses returned in the months after the Djandak Wi. share with others that were newer to Cultural fire. The day went smoothly, finishing around 9.30pm. There were a lot of positive responses, with some Djaara saying it was the best Djandak Wi experience they’d had yet. While the burn was hotter than we might normally like, because it was primarily about resetting species dominance and thick, dry fuel loads, we hoped it cleansed so that when we return next time there will be more plant diversity and cool, slow, patchy burning can be done. We shared dinner together and then continued working with the fire, with mob, aunties, uncles, and friends keeping an eye on the fire edges, Eucalypt branches gently flung over their backs so they could pat the fire out and not let it go too close to the swamp water area. People were cracking jokes and barreling over laughing occasionally at something amusing someone had said, in between marveling at the artistic, warm colors of brilliant reds, oranges, pinks, yellows, blues, and whites in Sky Djandak and against the wise old trees.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1