Today would be our first real exposure to Aboriginal history and culture. The day began at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, outside of Cairns. We were first ushered into a theater where we were shown a film about the history of the aboriginal people of Australia. (Note, "aborigine" is definitely NOT a preferred term nowadays...) I knew a bit about this unsavory bit of the country's past, but this film brought the message home rather forcefully. Hunted like animals, their land taken away from them, their children taken away from their families, these proud and peaceable people were driven to near extinction. It is only recently (the last 20 years or so) that aboriginal tribes throughout Australia have begun reclaiming their place in the new society.
The second theater had a well-done presentation, with a combination of live actors and projected special effects, telling this particular tribe's story of how the world came to be. (Creation legends and nuances of culture varied among the tribes in different parts of the country we would later find.) After that, there were live demonstrations of "bush food and medicine", dancing, and the playing of the didgiridoo (or "didgi"). (You can't escape didgiridoos in Australia - they're sold in almost every store and played everywhere - some better than others.) This guy was a pretty good player, with a keen sense of humor...
Here's the Tjapukai dancers
Before exiting the park, we had a delicious buffet lunch. The cultural park exceeded our expectations and we were very glad that we went.
Afterwards, we walked over to the base station for the Kuranda Skyrail, which soars for several miles over the rainforest canopy.
© 2002 Steve Lionel - - Home