9 Our Djandak Wi story Djandak Wi means ‘Country fire’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language. Thousands of generations ago, Waa (the Australian Raven) spread wi far and wide across Djandak, creating ecosystem diversity, and teaching our Martinga Guli (Ancestors) about the importance of wi for Djandak. Ever since, we have followed in our Martinga Guli footprints, doing Djandak Wi in accordance with our Culture and Lore. “Cultural fire is different from other styles of burning in that we are not just doing it for ecological or tangible reasons, there is also the intangible, there is the spirit meaning behind it, there is the healing of People.” Djaara know when Djandak is sick and needs Djandak Wi. Djandak Wi is a Cultural landscape management tool. Healthy Djandak needs Djaara and our custom of Djandak Wi to protect significant places, protect Malamiya (Cultural Heritage), and converse with Wi Murrup (fire spirit). Our plants need Djandak Wi for renewal, to re-set dominance, to prompt germination, and to break seed dormancy. Our animals and fungi need Djandak Wi to rearrange habitat and food, remove dead growth, and promote green growth for food. Djandak Wi is as important as sun and rain, and its exclusion has led to profound changes to our Djandak. “Djandak Wi is an ancient tool that has been used since the beginning of time.” “It’s a real spiritual feeling, Djandak Wi. It brings mob together, puts mob back out on Country, Elders to young kids, young folks. So, it’s used for gathering, getting family groups together.”
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