13 JUNE 2022
Hello again! We are no longer in Cairns! We are in another part of Queensland!
In the morning, we went to Muddy’s Cafe along the beautiful Esplanade to have brunch but it was full house. We were asked to wait 45 minutes for food. It was too long so we left and I had fun at Muddy’s Playround instead.
Pamagirri Dance Performance
After that, we drove to Rainforestation where we watched Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance, listened to a didgeridoo and threw two boomerangs each.
When we entered Rainforestation, it was very quiet as we didn’t see any other visitors that afternoon. We were told the Pamagirri Dance Performance was about to start. Hence, we made our way there. The rainforest amphitheater provides a beautiful backdrop for the Pamagirri Dance Performance; a traditional dance performance depicting aspects of Indigenous culture including animals, food gathering and hunting.
However, we are the only persons there when the afternoon show was about to begin. We kind of felt odd as there were more performers than audience. Fortunately, two tourists turned up just before the show began.
The rainforest serves as the theatre walls whilst sounds of wildlife provide accompaniment to the haunting sounds of the didgeridoo and clapsticks. During the performance, the Pamagirri Dancers explained how didgeridoos are made and used in ceremonies. They also revealed the techniques used to play this ancient instrument by imitating the noises of Australian animals. Listen carefully for sounds imitating Kangaroos or the Kookaburra.
There were several dance performances like the welcoming dance, snake dance, mosquito dance and Finding-food dance. The Pamagirri Dance Performance was one of the most interesting dance performances that I have seen! It is definitely a hidden gem and I think everyone who wants to know more about aboriginal culture should experience.
Did You Know?
Australia’s Indigenous culture is one of the oldest surviving cultures in the world and Rainforestation Nature Park recognizes the importance of preserving and sharing this unique culture. The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience recently won a 2019 Queensland Tourism Award in gold for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism. Local Indigenous Pamagirri Guides welcome visitors to join them on a journey to discover the Dreamtime and learn about the fascinating customs and ancient traditions that are kept alive in the rainforest of Kuranda, in Tropical North Queensland. The Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience takes approximately 1 hour which includes both the Pamagirri Aboriginal Dance Performance held in the Rainforest Amphitheatre and the Dreamtime Walk conducted either before or after the show. Extended Dreamtime Walk activities are available at an extra cost for groups to learn even more about the fascinating history of Australia’s Indigenous culture.
Boomerangs
We entered the Pamagirri Cultural Centre at Rainforestation and experienced Tropical North Queensland through the eyes of the people who have been its custodians for tens of thousands of years.
The second activity was boomerang throwing. After a few lessons, I was ready to test my skills. I felt excited as it was my first time throwing the boomerang. The area is specially netted for visitors’ safety, as boomerangs do come back! 🙂
Next, we discovered how the spear was used for hunting and to uphold traditional law in tribal communities. He used a special equipment, called the Woomera, that was half the length of his arm to throw the spear. There was a target pole probably more than 50 meters away. Our guide aimed at it but the first three throws missed the target. I was happy that he nailed the target on his last throw.
Thankfully, spears are not used for punishments today like they were in times gone by.
At the end of the tour, our personal Pamagirri Guide answered our questions and took photographs with us.
Farm stay
Thereafter, we explored the farm where we stayed for the next two nights. There were wallabies, chickens and horses. The horses were friendly and loved to be petted, groomed and fed by us. The wallabies were shy and we had to stop every few seconds and then creep slowly again and again in order to get near them.
Finally, we reached as close to the wallabies as possible and I started imitating them, while my father took some wonderous photos featuring them.
There was a nice creek a one side of the farm as well. Our lovely host, Bruce (almost 90 but extremely fit), brought us to the creek and showed us the good fishing spots.
After dinner, we lighted the fire using the fire wood given to us by Bruce and his wife, Fay.
WHAT AN AMAZING DAY!——-What do you think?
