Text : Alice Crabtree
KuKu Yalanji Dreamtime Walks.
The KuKu Yalanji are the indigenous inhabitants of the land that stretches from near Cooktown in the North, to Chillagoe in the East and Port Douglas in the South. The KuKu Yalanji have a distinct language, culture, bush foods, medicines and their own unique history – all tied very closely with the rainforest that dominates their landscape.
Dreamtime tours runs two hour walks into the Daintree rainforest, starting near the community at Mossman Gorge. The walks are relatively gentle with graded tracks – and you visit part of a network of Kuku Yalanji trails that thread through the region. The guides who take you on the tour have been taught by the elders of the community – the Fathers, Grandfathers, Mothers, Uncles and Aunties – and give fascinating interpretation about the various uses of rainforest plants, dreamtime legends, story places and present day culture. The walk includes visiting a cave that has recent cave paintings, a visit to bark shelters and a demonstration of paint making. Depending on the interest of the guide you may hear of local tricks to avoid becoming one of the “stolen generation”, or detailed bush medicinal knowledge, or insight into current cultural revival – but all deliver a fascinating insight into the spiritual and cultural aspects of Kuku Yalanji life.
After the walk billy tea and damper are cooked on a wood fire under one of the bark shelters and visitors have the opportunity to chat with the guides and be entertained with more stories of the area. There is a community shop at the start (and end) of the track that sells artefacts and locally produced art, as well as sells various publications.
Walks depart Monday to Friday 10.00, 12.00 and 2.00 – but are closed on weekends and public holidays. Booking is strongly recommended. Mimi Bus pick up can be arranged from Port Douglas and Mossman accommodation houses for the 10.00 am walk. Walks at weekend and some public holidays may be able to be arranged if enough notice is given – but special conditions apply.
Contact
Colin Brook or Betty Minnicon
Kuku Yalanji Dreamtime Walks
Bamaanga BuBu Ngadimunku INC.
PO Box 171 Mossman Qld 4873
Tel. : +61 7 40982595
E-Mail : tours@yalanji.com.au
Website : www.yalanji.com.au
Language : English