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Did you know that well over 90% of all didgeridoos sold are not made by Aboriginal people,
nor is any money from those sales returned to Aboriginal people?

On this page you can read the answers our visitors gave to this question as part of our yearly visitor surveys, where you can win great prizes.
(we post comments only if permission was given)

Over the years we have asked our visitors many different questions and any of the below topics contain hundreds of comments from people all over the world. Enjoy reading what other people have to say on those subjects:-). If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

GENERAL DIDGERIDOO ISSUES

DIDGERIDOO AUTHENTICITY

DIDJSHOP COMMENTS

TRADITIONAL DIDGERIDOO PLAYING

EFFECTS OF DIDGERIDOO PLAYING & LISTENING

ABORIGINAL ISSUES

Name and Country

Did you know that fact?

What do you think or feel about the fact that well over 90% of all didgeridoos sold are not made by Aboriginal people, nor is any money from those sales returned to Aboriginal people?

Anonymous from Italy

No

I do not like this I think that as the didgeridoo is part of the Aboriginal culture it have to be "produced" by Aboriginal people who knows the thing better than anyone else (and have probably more respect for the nature than balanda). At least Aboriginal people have to be involved into production and (of course) payment.

Ana Prego from Spain

No

I think didjeridus are something than represents a part of the culture of the australians aborigines and they are not a decorating thing so aboriginal people are the ones who have the right to keep and market their own culture

Andrew from Australia

No

The didjeridu is a spiritual and healing instrument that is best made by an experienced indigenous collector who has affinity for the instrument and respect for the land. It doesn't seem fair to take the livelihood from these aboriginal artists by mass producing fakes.

Angie from USA

No

As didjeridus are originally an Aboriginal instrument in order to maintain the integrity of the item they should only come from Aboriginal people.

Angie from Australia

No

It saddens me to hear this fact.The didgeridoo is synonymous with the Aboriginal culture.Such an important aspect of who they are how they originated shouldn't be taken away from them for mere profit.

Anthony Gataveckas from Canada

No

I think that a portion of the profit should go to help the aboriginal people.

Arnee Macdowell from Australia

No

Its terrible to think that non-Aboriginal people are making money from plastic Didjes or even worse fake Didjes with imitation artwork..

Arno from Netherlands

No

Very sad to hear. Everyone would want a true didge and that their money goes to the people deserving it

Anonymous from USA

No

Good

Anonymous from Switzerland

No

It's more than a bit of a shame

Anonymous

No

Not Cool. Aborigines should own a larger share of the market.

Bert from Netherlands

No

It should be prohibited. Didgeridoo buyers should be made aware of this fact and discouraged to buy such didgeridoos. Because prohibition is practically impossible such didgeridoo-makers should pay royalties.

Bill from USA

No

Should be better protections of the artform

Brice from USA

No

It is regrettable unless it's made of PVC or a decorative item only.

Candace from USA

No

I think it is sad and another example of how many cultures are not excepted but will be exploited for the sake of money.

Anonymous

No

Sad

Chris Glover from United Kingdom

No

It is not fair all monies should be given to the people who originated this instrument

Claire from United Kingdom

No

I think it's disgusting and consumers are being ripped off if they're not being made my Aboriginal people.

Cliff from USA

No

Its disrespectful

Clinton from Malta

No

Its not fair. Aborigines are the first people that create didgeridoos. We should have some respect for them!!!

Conor from Ireland

No

Saddened but it may be inevitable to spread the music of the didj to foreign countries

Danny from USA

No

I think that it's horrible because they showed the world the yidaki and they deserve more credit than received.

Dave from United Kingdom

No

I suppose it is necessary that some didges will be made by non-aboriginals. This is a good thing inasmuch as it will help to keep up with demand and keep people interested in the stick. I would like to see the vast majority being produced by traditional aborigines marketed as such and as much of the money going back in to aboriginal projects (not necessarily to the individual craftsman this could seriously impact with his cultural development)

David Carmichael from USA

No

It is an unconscionable exploitation of aboriginal culture; a continuation of neo-colonialism which incidentally contributes to consumer ignorance of indigenous cultures. I celebrate the fact that you operate differently honorably.

David from USA

No

It's shyte

Deby from Canada

No

I feel this is unfair to the Aboriginal people and they should receive royalties and that people should be told if the didgeridoos are authentic or not.

Dominic from Italy

No

It really makes me angry.

Don Morris from USA

No

I think that it's a shame that more aren't made by Aboriginal people. But to me it's more important to teach more people to play indigenous instruments. This way the culture lives on in areas of the world it would have never reached.

Eric Boucher from Canada

No

The world should gather more info before buying their yidakis! It makes me feel sad in some ways because the people that should fairly receive merit usually don't.

Eric Tomberg from USA

No

That sucks

Anonymous

No

If an instrument is made from bamboo or local European trees and the buyer is informed about this origin I do not see an issue. The problem begins with using original eucalyptus wood and (alleged) Aboriginal paintings.

Gail from Canada

No

Exploitation of a people's heritage

Anonymous from USA

No

It is a very dishonest thing to do. I have seen a lot of websites that claim authenticity when the pictures show very clearly unauthentic pieces. It's truly bothersome.

Anonymous from Finland

No

It's no surprise really. I mean there are plenty of instruments in the world and mostly people who invented them aren't getting money from instrument production. This is especially true for traditional instruments. I think that people who want quality make sure they're getting an instrument made by Aboriginals.

Hans from USA

No

It stinks

Imanol Arnoso from Spain

No

I don't like this situation I think the aboriginal people should be the ones who market them.

Jamian Mateja from USA

No

It puts didgeridoos in the hands of people whom might not have played it had all didgeridoos been made ONLY by aboriginals those didgeridoos being extremely expensive.

Anonymous

No

Sad

Jason Devries from USA

No

I feel that it's their invention and should have rights to it. If I invented something I wouldn't want that taken away or twisted in any way. It goes deeper than just something you blow into. It also shows disrespect to their culture in a way. I wouldn't want to go to a MacDonalds order a happy meal and then you get a free Didgeridoo w/ a big yellow "M" logo on it.:)

Jim from USA

No

Depends upon if they are advertised as such or not. If they are then it would be fraud.

Joachim Kiefer from Germany

No

That's awesome-no respect for the tradition-no feeling of the magic

Joe Kiefer from Germany

No

Its pure egoism

John Smith from United Kingdom

No

Most of them are just very poor quality and mainly for decoration. I think to cal it a didgeridoo it should be produced only in Australia by Aborigines and protected like champagne etc.

Anonymous from USA

No

This is unfortunate.

Jon Thompson from USA

No

Travesty dammit!!

Anonymous from USA

No

I feel like they should have part in funds being they created such an awesome an beautiful instrument

Jussi from Finland

No

It should be noted who has made the didgeridoos. We shouldn't give any false impressions or statements.

Anonymous

No

I think it's great that people are that interested in getting didgeridoos however it's disappointing that the numbers are this drastic.

Keith from United Kingdom

No

The didj belongs to the aboriginal people of Australia. They should make money from it. The foreigners have stolen most of their culture we should respect them enough to leave them to make a living from!

Keith from Australia

No

I would always look to buy a genuine didgeridoo and that means Aboriginal made. It is not worth worrying about what other people do - people all over the world will do whatever they can to make money and we cannot save people from themselves. We can blow in a piece of PVC pipe but that does not make it a genuine didgeridoo and we cannot ban it because it simply makes a sound. I think feeling people know and respect what is truly Aboriginal and what is not.

Kenneth from USA

No

I think that it is theft of the culture

Kern from United Kingdom

No

It's appalling that people aren't well informed. Country/Culture of origin should be made available for people to make that discriminating choice to support aboriginal culture.

Anonymous from South Africa

No

Doesn't seem right

Ladron de Guevara from Mexico

No

Yo creo que esta mal ya que los precursores de este bello instrumento fueron lo antepasados aborígenes y ahora se lucra hasta con su cultura que poca.

Lars Clark from USA

No

Hopefully someone is working to correct this.

Ligia from Puerto Rico

No

I think its sad because we know all about the aboriginal process thanks to those people and we should give the proper respect to them not just as humans but also as a very rich knowledge.

Linda Birk from USA

No

I read about this awhile ago and I think it is very disturbing. this is such a unique instrument and has been around for nearly 60,000 years. These beautiful people of northern Australia deserve more.

Anonymous

No

I think that is a travesty

Anonymous

No

Kind of disappointing to know that they're not totally authentic.

Luciano Dibacco from Canada

No

I am not surprised because in Today's world there are a lot of imitations of the original product being made all over the world and everyone is in it to make money because everyone wants a piece of the pie.

Anonymous from Israel

No

I think it's terrible

Marc Larivière from Canada

No

I'm in bad humour

Marcel Pielert from Germany

No

It's so bad and I hope it comes a time that the aboriginals get paid for there wonderful work.

Marco Zambelli from Italy

No

It's awful but not so strange. it's businnes...and today everything is business awfully!!!!

Martin from Canada

No

I think that is fine and anyone should be able to make and sell didgeridoos and the buyer should be the one to decide the quality. My problem is with mass producers who go and cut down whole forest to get a handful of didges

Anonymous from USA

No

It's their gift to humanity. It's only fair for them to profit from it provided they supply a decent product.

Mat Lacombe from Canada

No

I think it is unfair for the aboriginal people to lose financially due to marketing techniques implemented for more income

Matt from USA

No

It is frustrating that people claim to sell "exclusive" aboriginal "pieces of art" when they are really made outside of the aboriginal culture.

Matteo from Italy

No

I have only 1 didgeridoo buy on didjshop...

Anonymous

No

I think that is so cool I have wanted to play for years.

Michael from Canada

No

Sad. But not surprising - 'Native' peoples are not treated well (with respect) around the world it seems. And certainly not in Canada. I

Anonymous

No

It is not surprising it's not the only unfortunate thing to have happened to the Aboriginal people. I am sure similar things like this occur in every shape and form regarding many cultures.

Michael from USA

No

It just shows how much lost cultures are not appreciated for their contributions to humanity. In this case music.

Mike from Netherlands

No

They shouldn't harvest the logs in yolgnu territorial areas. Also selling it as "originals" is a bad thing. Hate it!

Anonymous from Australia

No

I think that it sucks and it reflects a negative and truly commercial aspect that the world is heading.This also takes away from our native people people who deserve the right and people who are the true artist masters. This also steals from communities that really need this-not only for profit but also for prolonging the beliefs for the younger generations.

Anonymous

No

First of all except USA and Australia though there is many people who want to play or learn Didj. It's an hardest thing to contact with Aboriginal people or sales shop by Aboriginals. second maybe most of people do worry about damage during shipping. Original Didges are made of wood so It can be easily broken(also I think almost things are very hard and your packing must be trustable. but!! inspte of..) and wood is weak to humidity. In Aus or USA maybe good condition whether for Didge. but some country like Korea or else(the country that whether be extremely changed) when people do order didge and get it if they cared it badly or lazily it's so easy to split. this is the reason why people do use PVC didge or else made by non-wood materials. though they also know that wood Didgeridoo made by Aboriginals has better sound quality than anything. and I know that and I really want to get the original Didgeridoo but stilly I can't find the way to keep up the good condition of wood Didge.

Nicholas from USA

No

Well I feel for the Aboriginals and the horrible things that have happened to their people but I think they should have a royalty on the use of their rich culture in the designs of the didges.

Anonymous from USA

No

It is cultural hijacking and it's disgraceful.

Nigel from United Kingdom

No

I think it is dishonest if it is not made clear when purchasing a didj that it has not been made by Aboriginal people. I would never buy unless it was the 'genuine article'.

Anonymous from Italy

No

:-( really sad aboriginal gives to djd spirits!

Patrick from Netherlands

No

Strange I think and I don't know for what reason this is happening. Its difficult to judge this from out off holland.

Anonymous

No

Personally I think it's tragic. Especially those knowingly sold as something they are not.

Anonymous from USA

No

That's too bad.

Paula from USA

No

It is a form of deception to the consumer and is a blatant robbery of the rights of the aboriginal people to create these didjes and cultural designs and to earn the money due them.

Phillip from USA

No

It is good to know your are here to help us.

Reuben from New Zealand

No

Not Good money from this very unique tribal instrument should always go back to the people who invented the didge

Anonymous from United Kingdom

No

Although I feel there should be more Aboriginally made didges in the world you can not put a percentage cut of money on an instrument like that it would be like a percentage of all sales of any piano going to Bartolomeo Cristofori's family (the inventor of the piano)

Richard Wade from USA

No

It is the oldest known form of music and if your sales contribute to them then I support you.

Anonymous from USA

No

I feel it is unethical and immoral.

Anonymous

No

I have heard this fact before and to be quite honest I believe that it stinks. The fact that non aboriginal people are making didgeridoos doesn't worry me but the fact that there not giving any recognition to the Aboriginal people is a complete disrespect to the culture of not only the Aboriginal people but also disrespect to the long history of the didgeridoo its self

Roger Pressnell from USA

No

Aboriginal people should get some sort of royalty

Ron from USA

No

It's not right

Sam from Australia

No

Really it's nothing but stealing. to not only take some-one's possessions but to take their culture and traditions as well and try to make money from them is appalling.

Samantha from Australia

No

I think it should be clearly stated on the product where with what and by whom it is made.

Sarah from Canada

No

I feel that people should educate themselves as best as possible before investing in a didj about its maker. As with any artistic or culturally important object context must be taken into consideration and the customer needs to decide whether they are willing to support cultural appropriation for mass marketing purposes. Distributors should completely honest about the making of their product. If it hasn't been made by an Aboriginal person say so! Don't attempt to mislead your customer many of us are smarter than that.

Scott Kellsey from Canada

No

I feel that it is wrong to take an item with such huge cultural meaning and significance away from its original proprietor

Sergio A. from Colombia

No

Really bad... its all about their culture so its just fair that they get paid for that

Sheila from Brazil

No

I feel sick about this

Anonymous from Italy

No

Not right at all

Steve Shydo from USA

No

Did not realize the situation was this out of hand.

Anonymous from Canada

No

Tradition is all too rare today.

Tom from USA

No

It doesn't make me happy. I have encountered plenty of people who picked out a dirt cheap instrument at some shop near the airport and say they play didgeridoo. When I buy any instrument I want to know that it is authentic and within the traditions of its origins.

Toni Maria from USA

No

Exploitation of aboriginal and native people's culture is an ugly fact of life. Being part Native American I know this well and support original indigenous artists whenever I can.

Vince Malone from Australia

No

It shows lack of respect for Aboriginal culture by some people;also greed and dishonesty and lack of common decency and consideration.

Anonymous

No

Too bad that Aboriginals cannot patent the Didge. They sure could use the money

Anonymous from USA

No

Sounds like a rip-off

Yacine from France

No

I would like to say that it isn't surprising because didgeridoos are being more and more famous and people can't afford more than 50€ in an instrument they don't know well and which only use will be decorative

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Check out other selections of our visitors' comments:

GENERAL DIDGERIDOO ISSUES

DIDGERIDOO AUTHENTICITY

DIDJSHOP COMMENTS

TRADITIONAL DIDGERIDOO PLAYING

EFFECTS OF DIDGERIDOO PLAYING & LISTENING

ABORIGINAL ISSUES

 

If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

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