Name and Country |
Do you consider that there are ethical issues when a non-Aboriginal person wants to play traditional Aboriginal styles on the didgeridoo? |
Please share your view on the possible ethical issues of playing traditional styles |
| Andy from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
It may be believed that the didge is sacred to only true born aboriginals. In the UK I consider myself to be a Druid and there is a line of belief that Druids used to play something similar to a didge. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Pure guess - they were originally played to tell stories stories of and recreate sounds of the land. For a foreigner to do as such is improper replication. |
| Robert from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Not sure if there are ethical issues always thought of music to be shared and enjoyed |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I had the opportunity to live in Australia at least the aboriginal players who I met are proud of showing part of their tradition of their heritage and part of what they are to the rest of the world. |
| Kristyn from Canada |
There might be ethical issues |
I would hope there wouldn't be any issues involved in learning a new instrument no matter where is traditionally comes from. However when a culture and its peoples are dying off it is important for them to keep hold of their traditions. It is always a shame when something so beautiful powerful becomes abused in pop culture. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
A best understanding about ourselves and this way peoples and surroundings around |
| Paul from USA |
I do not know |
It is a musical instrument. Why do there have to issues? |
| Maximiliano from Argentina |
There might be ethical issues |
I think I must to know the tradition and the meaning of play this sacred instrument before playing traditional styles |
| Patrice from Netherlands |
I do not know |
It might be something exclusive for aboriginals. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
No issues |
| Derek from USA |
I do not know |
It could be seen as inappropriate however I am not sure such notions that have exclusivity as a foundation still hold. We are all one and wisdom is for us all. What matters is reverence and how one approaches it. |
| Brandon from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Its a tough issue. Being influenced by a traditional style and occasionally given voice to that influence is one thing. But casting yourself as a traditional player being a non-aboriginal person is culture theft. |
| Glen from Canada |
No, there are no ethical issues |
None |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
I am looking forward to finding out more info on the subject as I sift through your site. |
| Sami from Finland |
There might be ethical issues |
Okay |
| Kevin from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Depending on how the Didj is played in concerns to the "traditional" style of music. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
As it is a traditional aboriginal instrument aboriginal elders probably do not like how westerns have made it a main stream thing and are making money and wealth of there instrument which is sacred to their culture |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Songs and music or styles might be reserved or claimed (in a way copywrited) by certain clans. They might not wish to have strangers play specific songs. There is plenty of options in the world of didgeridoo music to avoid stepping on anyone's cultural issues. |
| John Skillcorn from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
Not sure about this one but some instruments - and where and when they are played - may be sacred. |
| Chandler from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I think if someone wants to experience a part of another culture or life style it is great! I personally would love for people to try things my way. |
| Keith Kofoed from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I've never heard of this before. If I was in the presence of an aboriginal who felt this way I would certainly respect their point of view and not play. However I don't believe anyone has any claim on any form of music or expression. It matters not where it originated from. Music art technology should be shared freely among all people. |
| Nick from USA |
I do not know |
This is my first time entertaining the thought. I would like to learn more about it though. |
| Katlinel from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I think it really depends upon what the non aboriginal wants to achieve with their playing? Is this for personal pleasure and fulfillment and done with proper respect? That would be fine as would be playing for healing purposes. If it is done without a respect for the aboriginal culture and serves only to fill the wallet at the cost of the aboriginal culture in any way then that is wrong and very offensive. |
| Mani from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
Not sure. |
| Mike from Belgium |
There might be ethical issues |
I don't know if the Aboriginal people play the traditional style as part of their religion or for people in general. If it is in general then I don't think that it would be offending if others play it as well. |
| Marlon Fuller from USA |
I do not know |
Does not matter to me. |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
N/a |
| Nathan from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
For purists a non-Aboriginal person would be essentially defiling a didgeridoo by playing one. I understand this view as there is a strong spiritual component to the didj. However for an educational and cultural approach I feel that this is more acceptable. When a non-Aboriginal tries to market traditional playing for profit I feel that this is unethical. |
| Luke from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Non-aborigines playing the traditional style may defame or devalue the style |
| Paul from USA |
I do not know |
People not knowing aboriginal culture could unintentionally offend them. |
| G Hobart from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I do not see any ethical issues |
| Katie from USA |
I do not know |
I like to think all forms of music are to be shared. I would only see a problem should the didge player exploit the talent although I am unsure of the aboriginal view on this matter. |
| Anonymous from France |
There might be ethical issues |
The ethical issues might probably be if the player don't respect the original purpose of the instrument. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
When you really want to be in contact with the energy you can try to play traditional styles but with respect and every moment realising it is a language in an other sphere...other energy...so you must realize you bring you self in other resonance then...and you have tot know what you do and what you have tot respect. |
| Jeff from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
May have ceremonial significance for Aboriginal people |
| Stephen from USA |
I do not know |
Know of none |
| Sonya from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If you do not know the history do not misrepresent the didgeridoo! |
| Mario Percinic from Croatia/Hrvatska |
There might be ethical issues |
Some aboriginal tribes do not allow foreign people to play the didge while the others do and they share their knowledge about the culture as well as didge playing maintenance and usage of the didge. |
| Kevin D. Babiuk from USA |
I do not know |
I don't know |
| James from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
For an American I don't believe there are ethical issues as we are only imitating and not mocking anyone's beliefs. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I think if a non-Aboriginal person plays with the intent meant by the Aboriginal people with respect there are no ethical issues |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I am unsure what issues could arise it depends on the persons ethical standpoint. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
No, there are no ethical issues |
If an individual who would be offended by another individual's playing does not know that the other person is playing it then no harm is done. Different people have different moral codes and one individual should no be restricted by another's beliefs. Personal freedom. |
| Anonymous from Canada |
There might be ethical issues |
I know that the didge is sacred to the aboriginal people so I could see some controversy arising when a non-aboriginal person playing traditional music. |
| Mark from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I am honored when people learn and experience other cultures and take full interests in all aspects including music stories language etc... |
| Gregor from Germany |
There might be ethical issues |
..the didgeridoo is speaking with the creator..and for others it is just music or sound..so may be someone could be offended |
| Colin from Australia |
No, there are no ethical issues |
It helps us with assimilation and to understand Aboriginal culture |
| Isabel from Portugal |
There might be ethical issues |
If the player have not experienced the Aboriginal Culture from within he probably will not know how to respect the knowledge that is embedded in the music. |
| Jerry from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
It might be seen to be disrespectful to the Aboriginal traditions |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
The issues may be related to spiritual/tribal rituals that are exclusive to aboriginal people. |
| John from USA |
I do not know |
I don't feel there are any unless they are in conflict with religious issues |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Don't know |
| Michael O'Neal from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I personally have no ethical issues with learning and playing traditional styles however it is possible that the Aborigines might not feel the same way. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
The fact that each aboriginal didge is painted which contains a story and a reference to a certain tribe and dreaming may be a cause of discussion. Which also means that you need to be fully aware of the how & why's & the story you are playing. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I think that to conserve a culture you must spread it and that may mean beyond the boundaries of your own people. Sharing the culture with others will help sustain it. While I may strive to play in the traditional styles it will never be authentic but it drives me to listen to traditional didgeridoo by aboriginal players and to want to buy authentic didgeridoos. |
| Hayley from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
There may be some who consider it wrong for a non aboriginal to play however I believe that if the non aboriginal plays with honour respect & love for the traditional styles I think that it is ok. |
| Deborah from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I feel strongly there is a need for respect in using any traditional ceremonial practices for western public use. Just as I feel there is much exploitation of our USA Native American ceremonies or Cabalistic ritual. The traditions should be learned from authentic teachers or ones who have permission to teach and should be used with utmost respect |
| Paul Sprague from USA |
I do not know |
Might piss off someone I guess |
| Teemu from Finland |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I can't make any. |
| Wayne from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I believe that some of the Aboriginal people see this as an abuse of their sacred traditions. Other players/makers don't. Djalu Gurruwiwi has some issues but doesn't seem to mind non-Aboriginal people learning about his culture as long as there is respect. |
| Ryan from Canada |
There might be ethical issues |
Traditional music made by the indigenous people is very much their own and is an art form. People have to understand the history and the ceremonial purposes that was the music was intended. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
Possibly playing music in a manner that does not honor the spirit in which it was intended to be played. |
| Neil from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It is possible certain styles are reserved only for certain people who have learned to play them out of respect though I had never considered it until just now. |
| Anonymous from Netherlands |
No, there are no ethical issues |
If I was to play with an Aboriginal I would love to share traditional play. |
| Clancy Mueller from USA |
I do not know |
?? |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
I don't see why there would be ant ethical issues in playing |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
In an aboriginal environment I think it would be disrespectful for a non aboriginal to play. |
| Daniel from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Some traditional songs are so sacred to their culture that we should not play or hear the sounds. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Many people don't care to learn the origins of the didj |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
It may offend an aborigine if played wrong |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Not sure |
| Felipe Gallo from Colombia |
There might be ethical issues |
Mainly because of respect to tradition. As it happens here in Colombia; you can not be an ayahuasca healer till you have reached certain level of spirituality. The same can happen with the didgeridoo; you might not be able to play it the traditional way unless you pass certain levels of learning about the culture about the purpose of playing it and about the impact of the music played by it! |
| Mimi from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It might be like The Beatles playing Frank Sinatra |
| Matthew from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I am not sure what any tribes would think about someone playing traditional music. I would not want to offend. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
If you are using a style or tune that is sacred to a particular clan/people and/or it is only particular people that can play it. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Race or tribal clash in general |
| Karl from Australia |
I do not know |
The unfamiliarly with the stories been told and not telling them correctly |
| Seth Thompson from USA |
I do not know |
F... ethics it's all make believe. everyone should be able to do what they want and still get along as long as they aren't directly or indirectly harming someone or something else. |
| Anonymous from Australia |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I believe that we are all equal so it should be seen as an honor to the non-Aboriginal person but should not cause any ethical issues in this day and age. I assume I could be wrong though and I respect that given my lack of knowledge on the matter! |
| Amy from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
If somebody else would have an ethical issue then I would give in to their feelings just to be nice cuz I do not HAVE to do anything especially if it would hurt they feelings. I'm willing to play nice:) |
| Carson Keys from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If there are certain rituals or ceremonies that are sacred to the Aboriginal people and they do not wish other people to play those styles then others shouldn't because it is their right to practice their religion and keep it their own. Unless that person plans on using those styles to follow in that custom then it should be OK. |
| Rick from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I think it depends on the person being allowed to play with Aboriginal People. If he is invited to do so it is fine however if he just barges in...I think that would be rude. I would not agree with the person being allowed to dance that seems like a very cultural thing. In the United States I was allowed to play didj along with Pow Wow singers but only because I was invited. I even sang a bit with them. It made me feel good. But I would never Pow Wow dance even though I am part Sioux. Though I was close to my Sioux relatives I wasn't raised as traditional as some of my older relatives. I guess an issue being considered ethical depends on the group of people you are with. |
| Anonymous from South Africa |
There might be ethical issues |
Playing the didgeridoo could be restricted to certain Aboriginal clans or members within clans. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I personally wouldn't mind if a non-english person played traditional english music on an english instrument but I could see how there could be possible issues. for example natives could feel exploited or that their culture is being stolen. a native person could also feel like sanctity is destroyed if a sacred song were played by an outsider |
| Dain from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
From my experience the aboriginal people I met in Australia were happy for non-aboriginal people to play. But I imagine there may be certain instances where there could be ethical issues. |
| Caesar from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I wish I had the background to truly understand this but I will say that I believe that traditional 'religious' ceremonial didgeridoo playing is the exclusive right of and within the cultural domain of the people who hold those traditions and beliefs. Outsiders should respect these beliefs b y not trying to appropriate them for artistic or entertainment purposes much in the some way that a Christian (to use an example of a religion) would not take kindly to someone of a different faith singing or reciting biblical passages purely for entertainment. it's basically all about mutual respect and recognition and about maintaining humility when confronted with cultures and beliefs foreign to ones own. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I didn't think there were any- I would think that all would be welcome to play |
| Bill from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
You're basically stealing someone else's sacred music. |
| Mauricio Maldonado from Mexico |
There might be ethical issues |
At first it may look like plagiarism. I personally think that the didgeridoo is a beautiful instrument and that nature doesn't belong to anyone nor the knowledge about anything. We are all sharing this beautiful place and we deserve the right to feel and express how profoundly sacred it is to us. OF COURSE we're not trying (and we should not try)to make any profit... I invite everyone to play this amazing instrument and feel more alive younger and closer to earth our mother... |
| Rick from USA |
I do not know |
Not sure |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
I haven't thought much about it |
| Ville from Finland |
There might be ethical issues |
Perhaps playing certain ceremonial tunes in a modern secular setting would be considered sacrilegious but most dangerous of all would be for the old styles to be completely forgotten so learning the traditional way of playing is probably good wherever you play it... |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Maybe if you're a woman |
| Ori from Israel |
There might be ethical issues |
Don't know. |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
There are none if it is learned with proper intent and is done correctly. |
