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 |
| Pedro from Brazil |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I think that playing traditional styles is a way of respecting and affirm the art of playing didge. traditional styles have to be played as well so as to maintain and pass on the aboriginal traditions of didge playing. |
| Mike from Canada |
I do not know |
I never thought about it but I would think aboriginals would be honored that we admire it. |
| Anonymous from United Kingdom |
I do not know |
As long as it is done with respect and acknowledgement I would consider it ok |
| Anonymous from Germany |
There might be ethical issues |
For me its no problem but I don't know what it means for all Aborigine clans; if some don't allow their own women to play what should they think about strangers the more female strangers who can't do it even properly. I think it should be tolerated the more as most of them live on the other side of the world but would never dare to take my didge to australia or try to play there |
| Michael from USA |
I do not know |
Any time something is used in ceremony or is sacred it is important to learn the history and why it is sacred but at this point in history I think it is important for positive healing vibes to be going out from all and any directions and respect on honor of tradition must be given. |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Maybe traditional styles are more sacred so it would be unethical for one to play if they were believers of the ideals. |
| Vic Cherikoff from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
Losing the traditional links to stories lessens value of the playing. |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
I did not know there were any ethical issues of playing traditional styles. |
| Shelly from USA |
I do not know |
With out me living there in the mix I can't give you an answer about the issues. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't feel that there are any |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I would hope that it is available for all to enjoy and interpret in their own spirit. |
| Brooke from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I understand that Aboriginal people may be offended if a non-Aboriginal person (especially a female) plays the didgeridoo. I do believe however that people create their own path in this world and if it leads them to traditional instruments of any kind then who is to say they cannot try. |
| Joy from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
A clear intent must be set first then action to all choices |
| Kimberly from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I feel that as we are all one heart that as we follow our heart's guidance we are connecting with ourselves and one another in deeper ways than conflict of surface perception issues can ever address. So for me as we join together in the ways we are guided we are coming home to our greater community and our whole heart. |
| Waylon from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Unknown but perhaps would be deemed offensive by aboriginals |
| Anonymous from Canada |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
It is sacred and must be treated as such. I personally think that it is okay for a Westerner to learn if they respect and protect the tradition but it is not really up to me. If an elder asked me not to play or show the traditional style I would respect his wishes. |
| Daran Wallman from Canada |
I do not know |
Not sure. I play entirely for sound therapy for the greatest and highest good. |
| Ron from USA |
I do not know |
I really can't say but it seems as long as it's approached with respect there should be no ethical problems. As is said in the USA "you don't need to be black to sing the blues." Music is cross cultural whether people like that or not. |
| Anonymous from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
Being a non-aboriginal who plays the didj I have always been aware of the fact that I am essentially borrowing this instrument from aboriginal people. I understand that there are traditions and customs associated with the didj and particular styles of playing and that these should always be treated with dignity and respect. I personally would not attempt to learn any traditional styles etc. unless I was taught to play them by an aboriginal person. I would kind of liken it to the ethical issues that would arise if were to take a song that somebody had written on guitar and I came along and starting playing it as my own without even a mention of the original composer |
| Andreas from Sweden |
There might be ethical issues |
The best way to learn traditional styles is from the people it belongs to and that would lead to mutual trust (hopefully). If a non-aboriginal person tried to learn without the guidance of someone in the know then there might be some loss of important elements of the playing. |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I am not totally aware of the traditions of the Aboriginals so I could violate one. |
| Michael Spring from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Since I am not a traditional person per force when I play it will not be traditional style |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
I don't know |
| Gordon Matheson from Australia |
I do not know |
I'm not aware of the ethical issues of playing traditional styles. |
| Forest Weston from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
No non-Aboriginal should ever try to pass themselves off as one. Credit should always be given to the Aboriginal people for the development of the didj and all efforts made to educate listeners on Aboriginal issues and history. |
| Dustin from USA |
I do not know |
I don't have any views |
| Anonymous from Italy |
No, there are no ethical issues |
None |
| David Aldridge from USA |
I do not know |
Never heard of possible ethical issues - instruments of all cultures are accepted by cultures around the world all the time why would the didj be different. if is an issue why do gift shops in Sydney sell them? |
| Tammy from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Carrying on traditions is important. It would be a tragic loss if customs were not passed down. Then future generations wouldn't know how to play traditional styles. However persons should be responsible enough to educate themselves about these traditions. Individuals must employ a great deal of respect to engage in the traditional styles in the way they were intended to be and not offend others. It would be no different than learning the customs and social norms when visiting a foreign country. You must familiarize yourself so that you do not do something offensive out of shear ignorance of that country's social norms. |
| Doug Bischoff from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It would be unethical for a non Aboriginal to claim to be playing an Aboriginal song/piece even if they are in fact copying one exactly. Or to claim to be an Aboriginal player when they are not. |
| Anonymous from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
If someone is genuinely interested and has the respect for the instrument and culture then it is important for that knowledge to be passed on and preserved and shared. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
An Aboriginal person may be offended by a non-Aboriginal person playing traditional styles. |
| Elizabeth from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
I am not sure if the aboriginal people would be offended by someone not of there background to attempt to play in the traditional manner or they would be willing to share that practice with anyone. |
| Stan from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Any time someone tries to learn something that belongs to one group some of the ppl of that group is opposed to it. |
| Paul White from United Kingdom |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
As far as I can see playing traditional style(freestyle) rhythms using traditional type mouth tongue voice and throat techniques is OK even Djalu Gurruwiwi has ok'd that but copying traditional songs and playing them for pleasure is a definite NO NO for balanda people who really have no idea of the cultural meaning behind them. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
As long as you learn and respect the traditions I have no problems with playing them. |
| Amanda Hall from Australia |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I am proud that the world is interested in our culture and its a good way to save our culture by educating the world on it.... |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't think there are any |
| Anonymous from Israel |
There might be ethical issues |
I don't really know |
| Steve from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
If one is attempting to play an aboriginal song it may have to be played in a certain place...similar to a hymn in a church...but I am not sure on this one. |
| Mario Rago from Italy |
There might be ethical issues |
Every culture has his own rules that we have to respect.. and is not so easy to be accepted to join a clan without the millenary knowledge that they have developed |
| Rhys from New Zealand |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Ahhh if that rhythm is specific to a corroboree that is possibly initiation or of the like it is entirely inappropriate to play that rhythm outside its context. There are other instances of sure if one decides to consider things deeper. of course rhythms such as sugar bag have a different value in the community and should be told and played regularly to be shared often |
| Brian James from United Kingdom |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
The traditional sounds are considered sacred to the Aboriginal people and as they have had so much of their way of life stolen from them it seems only right to me to respect the sacredness of their way of playing you can enjoy listening to it without having to copy it. |
| Teresa from Canada |
There might be ethical issues |
-respecting the origins; honouring those that have brought it |
| Marian from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
None |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
None |
| Ugo Grasso from Italy |
I do not know |
I believe in freedom with respect and also people are more important than issues whatsoever. |
| Edward from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It is a matter of respect for the original. However if the instruments and music gets wider exposure that is a good thing. |
| Debra from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Well it might be considered like 'colonization' or attempted dominance over another's culture. |
| Alex Fraser from Canada |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't believe there should be. I'm sure there are some that could potentially get offended by it but I don't understand why. Music is universal and if someone should want to learn the traditional way of playing an instrument I believe it's for the better. The aboriginal people developed that way to play and it is the way it should be done. |
| Aaron from New Zealand |
I do not know |
Don't have a view |
| Milan from Germany |
There might be ethical issues |
I could imagine that traditional styles and tunes have a strong meaning in the Aboriginal culture. I know for instance that playing the Didj is a very important and rather serious ritual therefore some Aborigines might be offended when someone plays traditional styles out of context or just for fun. |
| Dana from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I do not see why there would be an ethical issue besides the didjeridoo being a sacred instrument to the Aboriginal people. |
| Samuel Sheats from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
It's like wine or beer; you can start with the lowest common denominator to get your feet wet. If that's what it takes to introduce you to the more serious and spiritual aspects of the didj and Aboriginal culture then that's OK. You can't authentically play the style until you understand it first. |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
It depends upon the Aboriginal individuals who are present. |
| Philip from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
I am unfortunately ignorant to the sensibilities and issues regarding non-Aboriginal people or non-authorised Aboriginal people playing different traditional styles and instruments but would like to learn |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
No view |
| Jason from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
One should respect the customs/religious beliefs of those you may want to imitate. You don't want to be insulting at the least |
| Jim Miller from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
As one woman told me when visiting a Folsom California American Indian Shop. "There are more people that are not Indian who are Indian than there are Indians who are Indian." Same would be true of anyone wanting to experience what an Aborigine does. |
| Kib from Canada |
I do not know |
The lack of personal stories of hunting and watching nature and traveling |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
Unknown |
| Ian from New Zealand |
There might be ethical issues |
There may be negative spiritual connotations associated with this. |
| Brent from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Because the traditional is the "old medicine" that the natives have practiced and used forever. People who do not know WHY a particular piece is placed should not play it (Show respect) |
| Kristina from Canada |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
If tradition says that women/non-aboriginal peoples aren't encouraged to play the didj their customs and beliefs need to be respected. |
| Alex from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
I feel like the didge is a big part of their culture and society and they see/hear people playing didgeridoos made from other materials when they have been using the true termite hollowed didges for centuries. it might offend them to see people playing them in ways that are different then the traditional ways |
| Donna from USA |
I do not know |
Playing without knowing meaning could lead to misunderstandings |
| Anonymous from USA |
I do not know |
I have no opinion |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Unsure |
| Philippe Groleau from Canada |
No, there are no ethical issues |
I don't think there are ethical issues but there should be a respect of the creators. There is a limit I can play in my basement but not on radio. Example: I from Canada won't ever sell a CD of myself playing traditional didj because it's not my roots my family my origins my own sound. |
| Ross Courville from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
No issues I think it is a good thing to carry on such a long tradition. who wants to see something with that much history disappear |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Don't have any |
| Anonymous |
I do not know |
I Don't have any |
| Michele from Italy |
There might be ethical issues |
For my opinion only who has a deep relation with origins history of Australian land and Aboriginal people and heritage can be allowed to learn and understand what is didj 'traditional' style. If this is allowed could be even non-aboriginal... I think. |
| Brooks from USA |
I do not know |
I think it should be ok to play a Didgeridoo if your not an Aborigine |
| Jon Brady from USA |
I do not know |
I hadn't considered it before I read this question. There may be styles that the Aborigine reserve for specific members of their culture or for only members of their culture as well. |
| Ashley from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It might be offensive I guess... I never really considered that it could be a problem. |
| Drayton from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
I believe there would be some sort off ethical issues of playing traditional styles of didj as I know the didj is used in the ceremonies and every culture has its ways |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
You change the meaning behind it |
| Anonymous |
There might be ethical issues |
Tradition culture rituals |
| Anonymous from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
Some traditional content may be considered sacred secret and the sole possession of a particular tribe or (a) person/s within that tribe. |
| Forrest Johnson from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Music is universal it belongs to everyone and yet no one. |
| Joshua from USA |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Me as a Native American can understand where there would be issues with playing traditional styles... |
| Anonymous |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
The didjeridoo is use in a ceremonial dances within the mob so if a non-Aboriginal person wants to learn the traditional style they must understand the meaning of certain rhythms and what it all means |
| Bradley from Australia |
No, there are no ethical issues |
Taking what is unique to the aboriginal people away from them. (I don't believe that but may be thought) |
| Glenn from Australia |
There might be ethical issues |
Personally feel traditional music should be left to the people and their traditions culture beliefs and ceremonial usage as part. Playing modern and contemporary didj and aboriginal instruments is great and showcases our input to music and skills. The making of these instruments should be left to the people that know more controls should be in place to stop MONEY makers from Screwing the environment defrauding consumers with sub quality non authentic fake Didj that sound horrible. |
| Elizabeth from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
One should show respect for tradition |
| Adam from USA |
I do not know |
I am unaware that there would be a possible ethical issue and actually am becoming more ashamed of my ignorance however I am absolutely fascinated with Aboriginal culture and traditions. Learning to play the didgeridoo would be a dream |
| Anonymous from Greece |
I do not know |
I think culture is to be shared and respected. when there is respect there are no ethical issues. australia is pretty far from greece and I'd love if I heard someone play traditional style.. |
| Michael from USA |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Well I think that if for instance a white guy wants to play traditional and call himself traditional then he better have immersed himself into the culture pretty deeply even to the point so that he thinks aboriginal (is that even possible?). I think it almost follows bloodlines but that may be going a bit far. On the other hand I do think that its all about spirit and what you are playing in your heart so a white man could tap into that energy and play in the right spirit. I guess the main thing for me is that I am being respectful to the aboriginal traditional players out there and calling myself traditional could be offensive to them unless I had been immersed in the culture and gained acceptance into that traditional way as someone who has the skills and heart of the traditional style. So I just call myself contemporary because that's what I am even if I feel a strong connection to traditional rhythms and sound traditional sometimes I am still contemporary. |
| Chris from Canada |
Yes, there are ethical issues |
Possible ethical issues of playing traditional styles might be non-Aboriginal people playing sacred themes or infringing on ceremonial styles for the in the wrong context. |
| Ido from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
It might be offensive to the Aboriginal people. |
| Steve from United Kingdom |
There might be ethical issues |
Some Aboriginal clans may still be against outsiders playing traditional sounds. |
| Michael from Belgium |
No, there are no ethical issues |
It's all about sharing and respecting our cultures. If you treat the instruments and habits with respect then there shouldn't be any ethical issue. The place that you were born shouldn't play a role in your lifestyle habits or beliefs. |
| Anonymous from USA |
There might be ethical issues |
Playing traditional styles is an honor and it requires great respect for an Aboriginal person to teach an outsider to play. It is the equivalent of someone coming to the USA and trying to mimic Native American traditions. |
| Anonymous |
No, there are no ethical issues |
There shouldn't be ethical issues related to playing a traditional style instrument. denial and exclusion is NOT what music is all about. music is to unite. |
