Journey into dreamtime legend and discover the magic of
Australia’s ancient indigenous culture.
Tjapukai by Night is an evening of entertainment and indulgence
with a beautifully presented buffet.
Immerse yourself in the traditions of the
Aboriginal people through traditional dances, music and the
telling of dreamtime legends, providing a powerful and personal
insight into ancient Australian culture.
Discover the magic…
Tjapukai by Night is a unique and memorable experience not to
be missed.
Suitable for all ages, couples, families and groups.
The show starts promptly at 7.30pm, seven
nights a week, with transfers departing Cairns accommodation at
6.10pm.
Tjapukai The Culture
What does Tjapukai mean?
Tjapukai means "Rainforest"
Bama means People, thus the term "People of the Rainforest" which
is often used to describe Tjapukai.
Customs
Migration - Tjapukai people were nomads within their own tribal
boundaries.
Firestick farming - The Tjapukai people would trade within the
tribe or with their neighbouring tribes.
Beliefs - The major beliefs are in the Elder's knowledge and
reincarnation.
Tribal law - The Tjapukai people are very adaptable. They cope
with their own laws (lores) as well as today's laws.
Tjapukai is not as severe as some other tribal groups in
Australia when it comes to physical punishments, for example some
tribes would spear each other in the leg as a punishment, you will
not find that with the Tjapukai people. However, all tribes
inflict the harshest of all punishments, which is Ostrasisation -
to be banished from your family or your own community or town.
Ceremony
Ceremonies today are not as traditional as they were many years
ago. Traditional cooking of food underground is rare. Initiations,
promised and arranged marriages are a thing of the past, within
the Tjapukai tribe.
Women's & Men's Business
Even though Tjapukai is seen as a Patriarchal tribe, men did their
own business, women did theirs. Yet they would all get together
when all clans celebrated or when neighbouring tribes visited.
The Community Today
The Tjapukai community can be seen today as "Village in the
Rainforest", one of the major tourists towns in the Far North
Queensland. It is home to the majority of the Djabugay people, if
not the outer indigenous communities - Oak Forest, Mantaka,
Korowra, Koah and Mona Mona.
