Djabugay
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The Djabugay is an Indigenous Australian group originating from the rainforests of Kuranda, Far North Queensland. The language is referred to as the Djabugay language.
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[edit] Survival
It is thought that the Djabugay were present in the Kuranda region for more than 10,000 years. Their movement through the rainforest (or bama) was through tracks. Prior to European settlement, there was an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 Djabugay.
[edit] Djabugay Dreaming
The Djabugay believe that Buda-dji, a carpet snake carved the Barron River out as well as its creeks between the coast and Atherton Tablelands.
[edit] History
European settlers explored and cleared the land for gold and tin. In May 1886, a railway was constructed from Cairns to Herberton with part of the rails going on top of a walking track. The Djabugay were unhappy about this development and withstood the settlement by spearing bullocks and settler. As the settlers entered, traditional hunting and gathering grounds were taken over.
This led to an infamous massacre, being the Speewah massacre in 1890 where John Atherton took revenge on the Djubagay by sending in native troopers to avenge the killing of a bullock. The Djubagay were segregated from them and forced to live at the Mona-Mona Mission and were unable to hunt, fish or move around. Their numbers fell dramatically at the turn of the century.
By 1896, the region supported coffee plantations and the Djabugay were used to labour on farms.
Many now own their own land, some other settlements and farms in the area.
On 17 December 2004, it was recognised that native title existed in the Barron Gorge National Park for the Djabugay. Their culture thrives today.
The Djabugay are also known as the Djabugandji and Tjapukai.
[edit] References
- Native Title claim of the Djabugay
- Djabugay
- Community in the Rainforest - Indigenous Community in Kuranda
