06/06/2026
Makuru – season of fertility
Black swain with red beak swimming on a river.
During Makuru, Mali (Black Swan) prepare to nest and breed
Winter: June to July
Time to move inland.
More food available.
Lifestyle of the Nyoongar communities during Makuru
Makaru is the coldest and wettest time of the year. Traditionally, this was a good time of year to move inland from the coast. The winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.
As the waterways and catchments started to fill, people were able to move about their country with ease. Their food sources changed from sea, estuarine and lake foods to those of the lands, in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo. As well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things. For example, Yongar (kangaroos) provided meat and 'bookas' (animal skin cloaks that were used as the nights became much cooler). Nothing was left – even the bones and sinews were used in the manufacturing of bookas and for hunting tools, such as spears.
Makuru is also a time for many animals to be pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. If you look carefully, you might see pairs of Wardongs (ravens) flying together. You also notice these pairs not making the usual 'ark ark arrrrrk' that they're well known for when flying solo. Upon the lakes and rivers of the south-west, you'll see a large influx of Mali (Black Swan) as they too prepare to nest and breed.
Flowers emerge, including the blues and purples of the Blueberry Lilly (Dianella revoluta) and the Purple Flags (Patersonia occidentalis). As the season ends, white flowers of the weeping peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) begin to bloom, and the blue flowers of Djilba change to white and cream flowers.
