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 Background Information - Obtaining bush food
Obtaining bush food by Indigenous peoples is dependant upon three factors:
Location The natural environment places constraints upon the diversity and quantity of flora and fauna in any given area. For example, the rainforests of Northern Queensland are rich and productive, supporting a myriad of plants and animals. In contrast, the more arid inland areas support fewer plant and animals species in the harsher conditions.
Season The time of year and associated climatic conditions influence the availability of many plant and animal species. For example, at certain times of the year in the north, almost all food came from estuary fishing and hunting game birds. At other times of the year, yams were Indigenous peoples' staple food.
Knowledge Survival is impossible without an intimate knowledge of the land. Indigenous peoples knew where to find water, what types of plants and animals inhabited the area, which foods were available at certain times of the year, when to harvest the plants and animals in order to obtain the maximum benefit, and how to obtain and prepare the foods. Such a comprehensive knowledge of the land was necessary to provide a nutritional and balanced diet.
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