Name and Country |
Do you tell your friends and audience about the cultural background of the didj? |
What do you tell people about the cultural background of the didj? |
Adrian from Australia |
Always |
That it is a traditional Australian/Aboriginal instrument originally found in the far northern areas of Australia and played a lot in ceremony. |
Alan Bush from USA |
Always |
Made by real aborigines, in australia [OUR COMMENT: please say Aboriginal people, thank you] |
Alex from Portugal |
Mostly |
It's come for the tribes and we must love the nature to be in harmony to be perfect in spirit to play much better than the beginning |
Amanda Hall from Australia |
Sometimes |
It is a musical instrument, that all tribes use to tell stories of the day hunting, at the campfire, or just for entertainment |
Andrew Hodge from Canada |
Always |
That it's origins come from the Northern territory where it is called a Yidaki. And that it is used for ceremonies that include singing and dancing. |
Andrew Murray from Australia |
Only if asked |
I tell them it's an original Aboriginal Australian instrument for ceremonial/cultural and recreational use. |
Anonymous |
Never |
Unsure |
Anonymous from USA |
Never |
Not much because I don't know very much, yet. |
Angelique from Netherlands |
Always |
That they use it for ceremony's... and tell them that they use it to tell story's about the dream time |
Ann from Canada |
Sometimes |
That it was used for ceremonial purposes and was capable of being heard over great distances. I do also mention that traditionally, it was only used by men but that women were sometimes allowed to play. |
Anonymous from USA |
Sometimes |
That it is a traditional Australian instrument, used by the Aboriginal people in their ceremonies |
Anonymous |
Always |
It comes from the aboriginal australians. |
Barbara from USA |
Always |
I refer them to your site for further information, and tell them it's really important to get a authentic didj. |
Bart Devos from Belgium |
Rarely |
I tell shortly about the dreamtime theory and the strong connection the didge has with the earth as a living matter. Also I say a little about their rituals. |
Anonymous from Belgium |
Only if asked |
I tell them it's probably the oldest wood instrument-which is originally played by Aboriginals. |
Anonymous |
Always |
Es ist ein zeremonielles Instrument und wird für verschiedene Anlässe genutzt. |
Bill Woodward from Canada |
Mostly |
Many years ago, during the dreamtime, three men, two tall and one short, were out walking and had to make a fire. The two tall men told the small one to get a big log to make a big fire, then they lay down to sleep. The short fella went to get a log but he wasn't very strong so he found a big log that didn't feel too heavy and took it back to camp. He looked at the log before he lit it and saw it was full of termites. He couldn't just put them in the fire. So he took the big, long log and he blew all of the termites out of it. Up into the sky. When it was empty he took a big breath and blew gently to remove any eggs and heard a lovely sound. The two tall fellas woke up and listened to the sound of the Emu's Throat. The termites that he blew into the sky became the stars. |
Anonymous from USA |
Always |
That it is considered one of the oldest wind instruments around. And it has healing capabilities, snoring and sleep apnea. |
Anonymous |
Rarely |
I don't know much about it. |
Brian from Canada |
Rarely |
I sent them to this site. |
Bruce from Australia |
Never |
Unable to speak with sufficient depth of knowledge - not my culture. |
Anonymous from Australia |
Rarely |
That I believe it's only in some areas that women aren't supposed to play. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Use in ritual; gender issues |
Chavis Three-sticks from USA |
Always |
It's a native aboriginal instrument, maybe the oldest wind instrument alive on the planet today. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Don't know much about it. |
Chris Glover from United Kingdom |
Mostly |
The didj is an australian native musical instrument that connects our world to the spirit world it is a very unique sound and is also an authentic traditional musical instrument played and hand crafted by Aborigines |
Cliff from USA |
Always |
As much as I know about it. A bit about the people & the country. |
Anonymous |
Rarely |
It comes from Australia |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Aboriginal life-style |
Damien from Belgium |
Mostly |
That it's used with ceremonials of the Aboriginals |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Not too much |
Dan from USA |
Mostly |
Just the basic fact that the didge is an instrument originating from the Aboriginal peoples of Northern Australia. |
Anonymous |
Never |
Do not really know that much about the culture background of the didj |
Dave from United Kingdom |
Mostly |
That it is the instrument of the Australian Aborigine and that only men play it. It is a rhythm instrument rather then a 'musical' instrument |
Anonymous |
Rarely |
It comes from australia |
Dave from Canada |
Always |
That it is one of if not the oldest musical instrument other then the voice and drum dating back to over 40,000 years. |
David Clark from USA |
Always |
The didgeridoo is sometimes played as a solo instrument for recreational purposes, though more usually it accompanies dancing and singing in ceremonial rituals. For Aboriginal groups of northern Australia, the didgeridoo is an integral part of ceremonial life, as it accompanies singers and dancers in religious rituals. Pair sticks, sometimes called clapsticks or bilma, establish the beat for the songs during ceremonies. The rhythm of the didgeridoo and the beat of the clapsticks are precise, and these patterns have been handed down for many generations. Only men play the didgeridoo and sing during ceremonial occasions, whilst both men and women may dance. The taboo against women playing the instrument is not absolute; female Aboriginal didgeridoo players did exist, although their playing generally took place in an informal context[citation needed] and was not specifically encouraged. Linda Barwick, an ethnomusicologist, says that traditionally women have not played the didgeridoo in ceremony, but in informal situations there is no prohibition in the Dreaming Law. On September 3 2008, however, publisher Harper Collins was obliged to issue a public apology for its book "The Daring Book for Girls", scheduled to be published in October, which openly encouraged girls to play the instrument. Some sources state that the didgeridoo had other uses in ancient times. There are sacred and even secret versions of the didgeridoo in Aboriginal communities in parts of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, and the surrounding areas. These sorts of instruments have specific names and functions and some of these are played like typical didgeridoos whereas others are not. |
Anonymous from USA |
Sometimes |
It comes from the legend that termites hollowed out a log and a man had to blow them out which created the stars and the 1st didge |
Anonymous |
Always |
I tell them that it is one of the oldest musical instruments in the world and that it comes from Australia's aborigines. I also say that "didgeridoo" was probably the name given by not aborigines and that it has other names too according to places of Australia: Jidaki (for example). I also explain that they used it to represent their environment and that it's a way to contact the within and Nature. I sometimes tell myths of how the didj was born. |
David from Australia |
Always |
It is a traditional instrument used in ceremonies. |
Davide from Italy |
Sometimes |
It's an aboriginal instrument. you have to consider that as an human extension |
Anonymous |
Mostly |
That they were used (and still are) for ceremonial purposes. |
Donald Dawson from Canada |
Always |
When I get a didgeridoo I will tell people everything about it |
Drew from USA |
Always |
The Didgeridoo the oldest instrument know to man. People of the Kakadu region have been playing the (garnbak) for over 1500 years. THe Didgeridoo was mostly used in ceremonial and religious rituals. The Aboriginal people would also tell stories using the Didgeridoo by making animal sounds wit it. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
It is an instrument used by the aborigines of Australia |
Ed Obermeyer from USA |
Always |
I discuss with them the importance of the Dreamtime and how the didgeridoo came to be. |
Elias from Spain |
Always |
It is original from the Australian aboriginal culture, the usually play it in different kind of ceremonies. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Mainly where the instrument comes from, but also the little bit I know about its origin mythology. |
Eric from USA |
Only if asked |
That is is used by the aboriginals for ceremonial and everyday music making situations. |
Francis from France |
Always |
Traditional music instrument of some aboriginal tribes in the north of the country. Naturally hollowed. and many other things... |
Frank Eisenblätter from Belgium |
Only if asked |
Even though the didge became a symbol of Australian Aboriginal culture, originally it was only played by some of them. |
Gary Biron from USA |
Always |
Where it started. And who started it. |
Gary Price from Australia |
Never |
That not all didj are made by Aboriginal people, some are made by people whom I feel are ripping off Aboriginal culture |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
It comes from the aboriginal Aussies |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Important Aboriginal instrument that is used to communicate, celebrate and heal. |
Graeme from United Kingdom |
Mostly |
Location/ geographical differences |
Greg Seward from USA |
Always |
The origin of the myth behind the formation of the stars as an old man played the didj, how the sound of the didj is used to replicate different animals, natural phenomena, and as a link in joining the earth and the sky together; connection to dreamtime. |
Ian from Netherlands |
Always |
I tell them, that the Yidaki is used for Centuries in Australia, by Aboriginal people, in rituals meditations and also just for fun. I tell them that Yidaki should always be "made" by aboriginal people to be a Yidaki, otherwise it will be a Hollow Tree which you can make sounds with. |
Ian from Canada |
Only if asked |
Whatever amount to which they will listen. |
Anonymous from Hong Kong |
Mostly |
When they are interested I talk a bout the Aboriginals, their music and art and how their culture is under threat of being over-trodden. |
J. Kaufman from USA |
Always |
It is a prayer for the good hunt. It is a song to God from man. |
Jake from USA |
Always |
Just about the oldest known woodwind instrument in the world. it comes from an aboriginal ceremonial tradition, calling on natural spirits to aid them from day to day. |
Jamie from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
That it can be used for healing meditation etc |
Janawirri Yiparrka from Australia |
Always |
Tha truth |
Jeannie from USA |
Never |
Don't know the background |
Jeff from USA |
Mostly |
Where and how they originated. My favorite didge is signed by Jurragubari. I show them on the internet who she is as well as some of her other art work. My dream is to have her design a Gecko Tattoo for my back that matches my Crocodile Didge. |
Jeff Nelson from USA |
Sometimes |
I tell them firstly to come to this website as all their answers can be found here. Then I share what I know about how they are made. I am no expert and find sending people to a site where the experts are works best:) |
Jeffrey from USA |
Sometimes |
I tell them mostly how it is made. |
Jenna Luksetich from USA |
Always |
It is one of the oldest instruments to date and was originated by the Aborigines of Australia. |
Jeremy Erb from USA |
Mostly |
I know the story of yadiki and I tell the story, I've told all my friends the story |
Jesse from USA |
Only if asked |
It is a wind instrument of the Indigenous Australians of northern Australia |
Jessica Tenorio from Mexico |
Always |
I'm a fan, I love the connection with the earth, the best present of god, I love "her", I feel that is our mom, really I understand so much our ancestors they knew that so much is the earth and felt that spirit, they were connected, and today we are they we are just stereotypes by the other people, and the simple majority is moved by the horrible dress or coats of skins (murders) and money (that virtual object that make us a irrational and banal people, that music can connect to the past or the future is really a magic sounds, all the aboriginal instruments connected in one sound of the stars |
Jessica Wilson from Canada |
Rarely |
I think it originated from australia |
Jim Cote from USA |
Mostly |
Where it comes from... how it is made... how it is used to tell stories/dreamings...and mourning... how some believe it is how life was created |
Jim from USA |
Sometimes |
True Didges are made from Eucalyptus trees from either northern or western Australia. [OUR COMMENT: this is deliberate misinformation spread by commercial interests. It is wrong and can be insulting to Aboriginal people from other regions who have made and used the didgeridoo since generations] |
John from USA |
Mostly |
An Aboriginal instrument made from nature. PLayed for many years that is reported to have healing properties |
John from USA |
Mostly |
It's use in ceremony's and healing |
John from USA |
Mostly |
It is an aboriginal instrument from Australia, a real one is hollowed out by bugs, mine is only bamboo. Beyond that all I know is that the natives used it for spiritual experiences and ceremonies of different kinds. I don't really know much about the Australian aboriginal culture, so I let them know I'm not an expert, I just like to play. |
John from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
Better off getting the full facts from the net |
Jon from USA |
Always |
Ancient australian aboriginal instrument, 10 thousand plus years old. |
Anonymous from Malta |
Always |
Didjes comes from Australia.they are made naturally by termites witch eat the inside of the bark.the tree most used for didjes is the Eucalyptus tree |
Jordan from USA |
Mostly |
It is aboriginal, but mine was made by a sweet moroccan |
Jose Luis from Spain |
Mostly |
I tell a few bits about it being an Aboriginal instrument, used for ceremonies and rituals, and sometimes I tell a few Aboriginal legends about its origins. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
It's an Aboriginal instrument. |
Julian from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
That the Didgeridoo comes from the aboriginal people it is used in ceremonies like funerals, healing, getting together and is a part of family identity. |
Julien from Canada |
Always |
That it is the traditional music instrument of the Aboriginal people of Australia. That some say it is as old as 40 000 years, probably the oldest and first music instrument. It is a wind instrument done by nature, by the termites and decorated by the Aboriginal. |
Kathy from USA |
Always |
Aboriginal made didjeridus only |
Kent from USA |
Rarely |
I tell them of the Australian Aboriginal background |
Kerry Hufford from USA |
Mostly |
A sacred tool used by the Aborigines of Australia to help navigate the Dream World, among other uses. |
Kev English from United Kingdom |
Always |
The history of the Aboriginal people, the culture differences we have and their way of life. Lucky things. |
Klaus Burger from Germany |
Mostly |
This instrument is from the aborigine people from Australia. the sound is made like a european brass instrument: the air is like the bow of a violin, the lips are like the string vibration makes the sound the biggest difference to "classical" instruments is the fact, that this typical "white thinking"-bigger, faster, higher - does not count. The limit of one tone bring the player in an unlimited space of sound |
Kyle Phillips from USA |
Only if asked |
Mostly what they already know... I hang out with a smart crowd. |
Leah from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
I explain that it is the oldest instrument in the world and has been used for medicinal purposes. |
Anonymous |
Never |
I don't know the background |
Luis Figueira from Portugal |
Always |
That didj was used in the ancient tribes of australian aborigines in ritual ceremonies and to transcend in to other states of conscience. Being a musician I also refer that it is probably the oldest instrument of our planet. |
Malcolm from Australia |
Only if asked |
A brief background of how it was used - but most of my friends are reasonably up on the Didj history. |
Marie-theres from Switzerland |
Mostly |
I explain them that it is an instrument that has been used and is still used by australian aborigines for ritual / religious purpose, that they tell stories with its music and so on |
Anonymous from USA |
Mostly |
Just the country of origin. Most people are already familiar with Didj's and where they come from. |
Anonymous from Canada |
Sometimes |
It has been around thousands of years, and is one of the world's oldest instruments. The didgeridoo has a lot of spiritual ties to the aboriginals. |
Mark from USA |
Always |
I always mention that it's the oldest wind instrument in the world, and a very important part of native Australian culture. |
Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
Native Australian sound-maker. |
Marshall Sykes from USA |
Always |
"The didgeridoo is probably one one the oldest wind instruments and Australian Aboriginal peoples have been playing it for tens of thousands of years." |
Matt Benson-parry from Australia |
Always |
That many ancient peoples used didgeridoos, but nowadays the Irish and Indigenous Australians are the only people who maintain it as a strong part of their culture |
Matt from USA |
Always |
It is the most important aspect of the instrument. |
Michael from Isle Of Man |
Sometimes |
Just the basics, that it comes from aboriginal australia |
Michael from USA |
Sometimes |
Sacred, ceremonial instrument usually played by males. I tell them the indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand seem to be the "home" of the instrument. |
Anonymous from Germany |
Sometimes |
Nicht sehr viel, da ich selbst noch nicht so informiert bin. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
That they are made from wood that has been hollowed out by termites. |
Michael Reid from USA |
Mostly |
It is an Australian aboriginal instrument that was a dance drone from a culture that had no drum tradition, only sticks. |
Mike Walker from USA |
Always |
I tell them a lot about the aborigines that make them and how relaxing playing them are. its the best form of meditation out there in my opinion |
Moreno from Italy |
Always |
Basic information and.... The Aboriginal People from Australia and other places are a delicate and difficult issue. I reckon the main thing is to keep the highest respect while approaching them and their didjeridu while not judging their way of existence. The didjeridu is spread all over the world and many people have changed their life through it. Many others use it personally for research and spirituality and others enjoy it musically while creating new compositions and tunes. I think it is important not to touch in any way the Aboriginal "things" ie. their spirituality and their sacred way of playing. We are in front of a hollow tree opening up infinite worlds to the player... we can go there in our worlds. My Aboriginal friends of Wadumbah Dance Group from Western Australia and also Mark Atkins told me: "Moreno keep playing without taking tunes from our People, no rhythms, no sacred decoration... play your music and do not compete with this instrument. I try to do it with respect. |
Nigel from United Kingdom |
Always |
That it is an ancient instrument originating from Aboriginal tribal groups in Australia's Northern Territory. That it is traditionally played by men and that legends date it back in history to the Dreamtimes. |
Olivier Labrevoir from France |
Always |
I tell them about an ancestral instrument and the history how was discover the sound of the instrument |
Owen from Australia |
Always |
Where it come from, Djalu and his teachings and beliefs |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Only just starting, only know what was taught at school |
Paula Van Rijn from Netherlands |
Only if asked |
That it is an instrument of the aborigines en why they use it. And how they make a didge |
Peggy Adams from USA |
Always |
It began with the Australian Aborigines...termites hollowed out logs and somehow wind or by accident sound was made the rest is history... |
Penny Jones from USA |
Always |
That the didj had a part in the creation of our planet. |
Peter from USA |
Always |
That the most amazing thing about a didge is how they are made... burrowing termites hollow the center creating the resonating sound. How hard one most have to look to find a a piece that is hollowed just right, and the artistry that goes into the various shapes and designs you see. I also talk about the long history of usage in ceremonial rituals of Aboriginal tribes and how that inspired me to use the didge in my own practices |
Phoenix from USA |
Only if asked |
I'm just learning |
Quinn from USA |
Sometimes |
I mention that it's an ancient instrument from Australia. |
Ralph Ray from USA |
Always |
The story of the Aborigines tribesmen sitting around the campfire 14,000 years ago and one of them picks up a hollow log with termites on it and blows the termites into the sky to become the stars. I tell how they are used by the Aborigines. |
Randy from USA |
Mostly |
I describe how true didj's are made by Australian Aborigines and a bit about how they are very much "at one" with the earth. |
Ray Higgins from Australia |
Mostly |
The didge is an instrument of the north east arnhem land tribes and over the years it has filtered throughout australia it was used to call people to meetings and was used in ritual gatherings |
Anonymous from USA |
Always |
That it is one on the oldest wind instruments. It is played by the Aboriginal people of Australia |
Reid Ostlund from USA |
Only if asked |
No one has really asked |
Rene from Netherlands |
Sometimes |
Where the didgeridoo is coming from, when it's played and how it is made en made from |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Perhaps the oldest wood-wind instrument originally created and played by aboriginal people of Australia |
Robbie from USA |
Always |
That it is one of the oldest wind instruments, mainly used by one person during a ceremony |
Robert Heller from USA |
Sometimes |
Basically the origin, meanings, and many uses that this amazing instrument has. |
Robin Dewan from Finland |
Mostly |
I talk about the Australian Aborigines and how they use it in corroborees. How old their culture is and theories about how it came about as an instrument. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
It is an authentic instrument made and played by Australian aborigines. |
Rui from Portugal |
Always |
How it is made, where it comes from and what does it represent. |
Anonymous from USA |
Mostly |
I pretty much just give them a list of books to read and websites to visit. |
Ryan from USA |
Mostly |
It's an ancient Aboriginal instrument that's been used for almost 50,000 years. |
Ryan from USA |
Never |
I don't know much at all about the background of the instrument. |
Selcuk from Canada |
Rarely |
Unfortunately the topic does not come up, though I use the Didj in many of my compositions *in form of VSTi form, not live*, and do enjoy throwing in heritage and cultural origins of the didj. How effective these little lessons are on the listener is always up for debate. |
Sergio from Colombia |
Always |
I explain about its ceremonial origins, about australian aboriginal cultures, etc |
Anonymous |
Always |
Mostly about how the didj was made |
Stephen from USA |
Sometimes |
That is is an aboriginal instrument a little about its history and a fair bit on its decoration |
Anonymous from Australia |
Only if asked |
I am still learning about the cultural background so don't say much at all about it |
Steven Williams from USA |
Always |
Well I am not well enough informed in this topic I must admit. But I always mention right off that the didgeridoo is an ancient and significant instrument native to Australian Aborigine and used in ceremony. I will also point out if the didj I am playing is or is not an authentic aboriginal made instrument, of which I have both. |
Suzen Vizzoni from USA |
Always |
I try to explain that this is a sacred instrument used in ceremonies and healing. If the person is interested I will elaborate and often refer them to your website for detailed information. |
Anonymous |
Always |
I tell people that its an instrument aboriginal men play. Women didn't play it because they thought it would cause infertility. |
Symon Browne from Australia |
Sometimes |
I'm self taught, I just tell them about the animal sounds and how important the culture is to our country. |
Anonymous from Hungary |
Always |
I tell them where does it came from and the story of finding this instrument. I tell them about the dreamtime and ask them to watch the Ten canoes, if they want more to know. |
Thomas from Norway |
Only if asked |
Meditational instruments of the Aborigines |
Tiago Oliveira from Portugal |
Mostly |
The didj it's related with the religious and cultural roots of the aboriginal people |
Timur from Germany |
Mostly |
If someone asks,I would tell him that aborigines play this instrument since over 20000 years with respect to the nature.But in the last years a lot have changed,people started to disrespect nature and that's a wrong way,for everyone. |
Tom Lange from USA |
Mostly |
I tell them it comes from the Australian Aboriginals, that one of the main uses is when it is played with song man and dancers to tell the oral history and stories of the Aboriginals |
Tomas from USA |
Always |
That Aborigines use it for ritual purposes and that it is considered to be 40.000 years old. I also tell them about the creation story of how the stars were created and the sound of the Didge was discovered. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
That it come from the aboriginal Australians. |
Tyler from USA |
Sometimes |
It is a very very old instrument from Australia traditionally played by the Aboriginals. |
Anonymous from Czech Republic |
Sometimes |
Originated from Australia |
William from USA |
Mostly |
It is an aboriginal instrument used for ceremony and entertainment |
Wolfgang Gaspar from Germany |
Sometimes |
...I try to explain for what the Didge is used by the aboriginal people in Australia,the Yidaki can be a religious item but also it can be used just for fun...so I have always on my mind to use it with certain respect and I try to give this idea to my friends |
