Wakaj Experience
Wakaj, meaning "The coming together of family" is a very unique experience provided by Mabu Buru Tours.
After a welcome from our cultural tour guides, you will be introduced into the Karajarri culture including a demonstration on how to traditionally cook the perfect damper. There'll be a camp-style billy with boiling water for your tea and coffee to go perfectly with your freshly made damper and locally harvested bush honey!
Our guides will then lead the Pintirri Dancers into a traditional dance performance, which is known as Maru! The Pintirri Dancers will take you into the sunset while the sounds of our traditional Karajarri songs echo through the surrounding bushlands.
Through the Wakaj experience you will also learn about our history, traditional lifestyle and the concept of dreamtime. Wakaj is a typical gathering of our people, of which we wish to share with you.
Location
Off the Broome Highway (just before the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park entrance)
What to expect
The Pintirri Dancers will take you into the majestic sunset on a journey through the sounds of our traditional Karajarri songs echoing through the surrounding evening bushlands. A well stoked camp fire with tea and coffee will be available paired perfectly with our freshly made damper.
While Maru have a very strong spiritual purpose and connectivity, the performances we deliver are open to the public activities that we conduct at our family gatherings for fun and entertainment. Wakaj is a typical gathering of Johani and Mervyn's family, of which we wish to share with you through this experience.
What to expect:
- Discussions about Yawuru and Karajarri culture, country and history.
- Learn about Bugarrigarra (The Dreaming) through stories, song and dance.
- Damper, tea, coffee and locally made bush honey!
What is included
The tour runs every Thursday afternoon at 1530 - 1800, from April to September. Alternate times and dates can be scheduled through a Private Group Booking.
**Photography credit Stanley Francis Photography.
Meeting point
Pick up & drop off:
To make your experience with us completely stress free, we offer a complimentary pickup and drop you off service to your chosen location.
Please be ready and waiting out the front by your allocated pick up time. As the coach will be collecting guests from different hotels, there may be a short wait. We thank-you for your patience with this.
Option to self drive (location):
The Wakaj access track is approximately 15 kilometres out of Broome (on the Broome Highway) which is just before the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park. Keep an eye out for the "Mabu Buru Tours / Wakaj" sign. The access track is approximately 550 metres of dirt track that is easily accessible with a 2 wheel drive vehicle. Just follow the track side signs that will lead you to the carpark area.
What to bring
This is an outdoor experience so please wear whatever you feel comfortable in while outdoors (enclosed footwear, long sleeve shirt, long pants, etc). While there is plenty of shade, we do suggest to wear whatever type of sun protection you like for your own health and safety. Don't forget your camera and a sense of adventure!
YOUR EXPERIENCE PROVIDER
Mabu Buru Tours
Mabu Buru Tours is owned and operated by Johani Mamid, a traditional Yawuru man whose Country is located in and around Broome in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Created in 2019, Johani began conducting On-Country cultural experiences. His vision is to help ""build a bridge"" between different cultures, to increase awareness about Aboriginal people and to encourage visitors to experience Country through the eyes of traditional custodians.
Prior to this, Johani was a Yawuru Country Manager Coordinator with Nyamba Buru Yawuru Limited, a not for profit company looking after Country on behalf of the Yawuru Nation. On Country work included flora and fauna surveying, monitoring and research in both land and sea.
Johani is proud to share his knowledge of his Country with visitors, show you the local wildlife and tell stories of the ancient, continuing connection that his people share with this land.
You may spot Johani in Broome as he is also a crocodile wrangler and tour guide at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park where he gets up close and personal with some pretty impressive crocodiles.
Wakaj Experience
