BRIAN ROBINSON | 'Zugubal: The Winds and the Tides Set the Pace' | Vinylcut

"The traditional seasonal calendar of life in Zenadth Kes is reflected by the changes in the environment and moves through cycles of abundance and scarcity, renewal and harvest, wet and dry. The islander’s understanding of the stars, the seasons, the weather, the winds, and the currents aid them in both navigation across the treacherous strait by night and for identifying appropriate times to gather, nurture or avoid food plants and animals. In Islander mythology, celestial beings known as Zugubal, who are powerful spirits influence the environment, which in turn sets the course and rhythm for community life, allowing the winds and tides to set the pace. In Zenadth Kes there are four main seasons that connect with local wind patterns. The coming of Kuki season is indicated by the build up of Begai, the big storm clouds together with lighting in the far north-west. When Kuki arrives, the winds blow from the north-west and brings heavy rain with hot and humid weather. When Woumerr, the frigate bird fly low in the sky, the weather is set to turn. Crops in the garden grow quickly. Logs of mangrove palm wash down from Naygay Dagam Dhawdhay Fly River and are collected for carving model canoe’s and warups. Gainau become fat and plentiful due to the abundance of ripe fruit. Zei is a short season with the winds blowing from the south-west in the afternoon. The Zei wind is a sign of buthu waru, turtle nesting season, when the dry leaves of the coconut palm fall in abundance. When birubiru the Rainbow Bee Eater flies north, it is a sign that Sagerr season is approaching where the winds blow from the south-east. It is the predominant wind throughout most of the year in Zenadth Kes. Light rain at the start of the season provides water for maniotha and kumala and keeps them growing the drier months to follow. The presence of woumerr flying high in the sky indicates fine weather during this windy season. Naigai is the season of hot, dry weather and calm winds. The wind from Sagerr dies down and the seas become calm. During Naigai, trading with coastal villages at Naygay Dagam Dhawdhay begins along with traditional house maintenance in preparation for the upcoming wet season. Gardens are cleared and the ash from burnt grasses are put back into the gardens to improve soil fertility. Solal, the turtle mating season begins during Naigai and is indicated by the ripening of Kubil Gim, the Sea Ebony fruit and the flocks of birubiru flying south to Zey Dagam Dhawdhay, the Australian mainland. Understanding the environment and its connection to the Zugubal is very important to Torres Strait Islanders. Their continued existence relies on this ingrained survival knowledge – life lessons that are taught to piknini from early childhood."

BRIAN ROBINSON | 'Zugubal: The Winds and the Tides Set the Pace' | 2022 | vinylcut | H 1000 x W 2000 mm