The ancient bunya pine: a 200-million-year-old cornerstone of First Nations culture
In short: For millennia, the bunya pine has been more than just a tree. These giants, which can live for up to 800 years, served as a vital food source and a sacred gathering point for tribes traveling from as far away as Victoria to celebrate the harvest.
The bunya pine (Araucaria bidwillii) is a living relic of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Having existed for roughly 200 million years, these conifers are closely related to the hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii). While they once grew widely across the supercontinent, they are now restricted to specific pockets within south-east Queensland. These ancient conifers belong to a prehistoric genus. They are a remarkable link to the era of Gondwana.
For Aboriginal people, the tree held immense cultural and nutritional importance. The massive cones, which can weigh up to 10kg, are filled with protein-rich, gluten-free seeds. These nuts can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried for long-term storage. This reliability led many to plant them along the eastern seaboard to ensure future harvests. The heavy cones produce large quantities of nutritious seeds. These versatile nuts are easily preserved for later use.
The relationship between the people and the trees was deeply spiritual. Local lore prohibited harming the trees, a tradition disrupted when early settlers began harvesting them for timber. While settlers typically only took the lower trunk, the loss of the trees caused profound grief for the local people. Such gatherings were so significant that tribes would travel long distances to attend, until these cultural celebrations were outlawed in 1897. Early timber industry practices caused significant distress to the local communities. The destruction of these trees resulted in widespread mourning.
Today, modern interpretations of these gatherings continue to uphold cultural traditions. These events often include challenges focused on the lifecycle of the nut—from gathering and shucking to storing and cooking—concluding with a traditional 'yowla' or corroboree dance. Participants engage in various activities such as shucking and storing the seeds. The festivities often conclude with a communal dance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bunya Dreaming | Plant profile | Gardening Australia
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