Djabugay, Indigenous territory in Great Dividing Range, Australia
Djabugay is an Aboriginal territory in the Great Dividing Range that spans from the Barron River near Mareeba across to Kuranda and toward Port Douglas. The landscape includes rainforests, river valleys, and mountain country where the Djabugay people have connections to the land.
The Djabugay have inhabited their lands for thousands of years before European contact changed the region. In 2004, the Federal Court recognized their native title rights over sections of Barron Gorge National Park, affirming their legal connection to the territory.
The Djabugay people draw their name from their language and continue to share their stories through performance, art, and teaching in the region. Visitors experience firsthand how they connect to their land through daily practices and creative traditions.
The Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park offers visitors demonstrations, crafts, and activities centered on Djabugay traditions and practices. The facility is located near Kuranda and accessible from Cairns, making it straightforward to plan a visit to the area.
In Djabugay creation stories, the Rainbow Serpent Gudju Gudju shaped the landscape during the time known as bulurru. This ancient narrative explains why particular rivers, mountains, and forests remain spiritually important to the people today.
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