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Found in Cairns, Queensland, Australia: Tjapukai (pron Jab-a-kai) Aboriginal Cultural Park
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Reviews
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Date item posted
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0
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969
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Sat August 26, 2006
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No recommendations
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None indicated
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Description:
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Tjapukai is an Aboriginal Cultural Park in Cairns, Queensland Australia. Renowned world wide for its amazingly effective positive marketing of Australian Aboriginal culture, it is an educative experience not to miss when you are in Cairns.
The parkland is owned by the Traditional Owners of the area, the Tjapukai, who have a substantial interest in the tourism venture. An unadulterated and empowering Indigenous experience to both their own people and people from other cultures, Tjapukai is worthy of a visit.
The park offers a variety of different cultural experiences: creation and history, corroboree, cultural village, boomerang and spear throwing. The absolute, not to be missed highlight is Tjapukai by Night. A stimulating and interactive outdoor/indoor theatre experience, guests are met by two fully painted warriors in traditional loincloth with spear in hand. The warriors lead guests to Gadga, the dreamtime spirit, for a hair-raising display of ancient beginnings. From the amazing display of Gadga’s power over creation, guests follow the warriors to an outside lake where provided clapping sticks engage you in the making of corroboree music. Around a cluster of corroboree painted Aboriginal males, and encouraged by the dreamy story coming from a didgeridoo, guests join with the dreamtime spirits to create a traditionally started fire (yes, a real fire – no matches – two sticks rubbed together). Pumped by the corroboree and seduced by the spiritual experience of being one with nature, guests track up a winding fire lit path and enter a five star restaurant. Over dinner, serenaded by Didgeridoo, the Indigenous warriors act out the stories of Kangaroo, Brolga, Cassowary, hunting, tribal war and corroboree. In keeping with the Tjapukai’s penchant for a bit of fun, a little black humor also surfaces when least expected. Keeping a straight face is impossible.
At show completion, guests can sit around the campfire with the performers, take photos, discuss cultural points of interest, or purchase gifts from a cultural store and authentic art gallery like no other in the world.
Tjapukai by Night operates nightly (closed Christmas night). It is suitable for families and the menu offers cuisine to suit all tastes and dietary needs. Family passes consist of two adults and one or more children. This makes it a very affordable and educational experience for families. YHA members enjoy a 10% discount. Pre booked Hotel transfers receive a painted Aboriginal message stone welcoming then to Tjapukai and offering a message of peace, safety and reconciliation.
My comment – do yourself a favor. This was a truly magnificent experience and I have lived with Indigenous peoples all my life.
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Keywords:
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Australia, Aboriginee, culture, Cairns, theme parks
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