The Pakadji people, also known by the southern tribal exonym as the Koko Yao (Kuuku Yaʼu), are an Aboriginal Australian group of Cape York Peninsula in northern Queensland.
They had a highly developed sign language, but used generally only one hand, with rapid movements, and little secondary reinforcement by physical or facial tics or gestures.
These coastal tribes basically exploited the rich food resources on and off the sea-line facing the Coral Sea.
In the kawali period they were often venture inland to harvest vegetables (mai'yi), yams (dampu) and bush honey, and construction materials like spear wood and weaving grasses.
[5] Donald Thomson gained the confidence of the Pakadji while spending 4 months with them during the season in which their initiation ceremonies (Okainta) were held, and was permitted to be present during the rites.