Bush Tucker
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Kuranda, traditionally known as Ngunbay, is the place of platypus and has been home to the Bama Aboriginal people for over 65,000 years. Within this area are clan groups such as Djabugay (Djabuganydji), Bulway (Buluwanydji), Yirrgay (Yirrganydji), Guluy, Muluriji, and Nyagali. The neighbouring tribes to the north are Kuku Yalanji and to the south Yidiny. All clan groups share similar languages, but slightly different, and share similar Dreaming stories. Djabuganydji land goes from a bit north of Port Douglas down to Cairns Inlet, through to Edmonton, up to the Atherton Tablelands, across to Mt Molloy, and back to Port Douglas.
The area’s volcanic soils and high rainfall have produced some of the most diverse tropical rainforest in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. These forests traditionally provided a rich source of food, particularly in wetter months when animals were difficult to hunt. Even today when the easy option is to shop in a supermarket, Ma:Mu people gather and prepare these foods because it is still part of their culture and they enjoy eating their traditional foods. Bush medicine (mirridjin) and bush tucker (ma:yi) knowledge was passed down through generations of Bama, and this has kept them alive and thriving in the Wet Tropics. Plants such as Gurrndu (Kuranda Quandong/Elaeocarpus bancroftii) was a staple fruit during the wet season months and has a high vitamin C content. A wide range of animals including possums, tree-kangaroos and many birds including the endangered cassowary dine on these fruits. If you plant them on your property, you will probably attract wildlife to your backyard. BEWARE! There are many poisonous plants in the rainforest. Rainforest Aboriginal Elders are very concerned that adventurous naturalists may sample some bush tucker and poison themselves. It is unwise to sample bush tucker unless you are absolutely certain what you’re eating. For more information • Visit the Ma:Mu Bush Tucker Garden at Warrima Lakes, Innisfail • Innisfail Campus Tropical North Queensland TAFE, PO Box 1453 Innisfail 4860 Phone (07) 4043 8622 • Society for Growing Australian Plants www.sgapqld.org.au/bushtucker.html • James Cook University’s Agroforestry and Novel Crops Unit http://cnsfse01.jcu.edu.au/schools/tropbio/index.html [email protected] Phone (07) 4042 1573 • Native Foods Association of FNQ Inc. PO Box 150 Malanda 4885 Mobile (0429) 121212 Source: Wet Tropics Management Authority - Rainforest Explorer |
Click on plant name for a full description including photos.Athertonia diversifolia
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