Mammang: Southern Right Whales & the Noongar Makuru Season
Mammang is a three-part documentary series by Javier Delgado Esteban a Spanish biologist and filmmaker living in Albany, Western Australia. The series documents part of the migration of the southern right whales along the coast of South Western Australia. Each episode corresponds to one of the six Noongar seasons—Makuru, Djilba, and Kambarang—highlighting the intimate relationship between the whales and the environment, both ocean and land. By weaving together the cycles of the natural world and the stories of these whales.
In the first episode, we explore Makuru, the coldest and wettest season, stretching from June to July. As the temperatures drop and the rains arrive, the southern right whales begin their migration, traveling from the open ocean to the sheltered coastal bays. Makuru is a time of renewal, as the whales seek these protected waters to calve and nurse their young in an ideal environment for the whales to find safety and nourishment.
During this period, the coastline transforms, mirroring the whales’ journey. The rich rains bring life to the land, filling rivers and waterways and nurturing the diverse ecosystems. For the Noongar people, Makuru is a time of preparation and transition, a season that brings together the land, the sea, and the whales. Through mainly aerial footage , this episode of Mammang offers a window into the cyclical harmony of nature and the ancestral connections that has guided generations.
Southern Right Whales were once on the brink of extinction due to extensive whaling in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Their populations have been slowly recovering, but they remain a species of great concern, with current estimates suggesting only 10,000 to 15,000 individuals left worldwide. Conservation efforts are vital to ensure the continued survival of these whales, and this series aims to highlight not only their beauty and majesty but also the ongoing need for their protection.
This film is just the beginning. As part of a broader project, future episodes will delve deeper into the lives of these whales, exploring their interactions with the environment, their social behaviours, and the ongoing conservation efforts that are critical to their survival.