Didgeridoo you know?

Definition of a Folk Instrument

A folk instrument is in of itself defined as either an instrument which has an unknown existence but is associated and developed amongst a nation or civilisation of common people, making it indigenous to that particular nation or culture, and usually doesn’t have a known inventor, OR is an instrument commonly used in or associated with folk music (indigenous music)

The didgeridoo is a prime example. It is an instrument indigenous to the people of northern Australia which was developed possibly 1 500 years ago (however, this is neither exact or definite) It is a wind instrument which is now commonly associated with Australian culture, internationally.

History

The didgeridoo, being a classic folk instrument, has a very vague and unspecific history. To our current knowledge it originated amongst indigenous Australian Aborigine. These people have inhabited the continent for 50 00 years. When they were discovered by Europeans, there were 1 million Aborigine across Australia as hunters and gatherers. These people formed 300 clans which each had their own language, land and beliefs. The didgeridoo is believed to originate from clans in Arnhem Land, which is located in the Northern Territory of Australia. Although more recent research may suggest that the Aborigine of Australia developed the didgeridoo 40, 000 years ago (which would make it the world’s oldest musical instrument), however the oldest confirmed reliable records of its existence come from about 2000 years ago. These records were mainly cave and rock paintings done by the people of the Kakadu region of Northern Australia.

The Aborigine of Australia had many similar local names for the didgeridoo. What they called the indigenous instrument depended on the region. For Example; The Arrente people of the Alice Springs region would call it the Ilpirra and the Anindilyakwa people of the Groote Eylandt region would call it Angarrriralkpwina. It is debatable that the names given by the Djinang people (who called it the Yirtakki) or the Gupapuygu people (who called it the Yiraka) are the correct and/or first traditional names of the instrument. However, Didgeridoo is the common name used internationally as it was a western invented and name created by what the instrument sounds like and this name has been used since it was first recorded 1919.

The North-Eastern people of the Arnhem Land have maintained a tradition of crafting and teaching the didgeridoo. Although, nearly 100 years ago, during the course of the Black War in Tasmania, the didgeridoo was restricted to be distributed in Australia. (Possible researched reasons were that the indigenous culture interfered with colonisation) The further removal of original Aborigine from their land (which separated people and had a direct disadvantage to the development of their culture) made the instrument unknown. However, later with colonisation, newly introduced infrastructure enabled the art of didgeridoos to spread throughout Australia.

It was made famous by David Blanasi and Rolf Harris in the 1960’s. David was an amazing didgeridoo player and maker and travelled around the world, displaying his talent on the folk instrument. Western Civilisation has only become familiar with the didgeridoo in the last 30 years and has only played it traditionally for the last 10. Although most didgeridoo’s are no longer traditionally made, it has become a famous folk instrument around the world for its unique sound and culture. It is even known as the national musical instrument of Australia.

Traditional Didgeridoo Music

Watch to hear the amazing authentic sounds of the Didgeridoo playing traditional Aborigine Australian music

Materials it is made of

A didgeridoo has to be made of the main truck of a hardwood. Traditionally, they are made from different species of eucalyptus trees, such as stringly bark and woolly butt. However, they can also be made for oak and ash trees, but modern didgeridoos are usually also made of eucalyptus as it maintains the authentic sounds.

Construction:

When making the didgeridoo, traditionally, an aborigine would tap on the eucalyptus tree to test if it is hollow. If is, they would use stone axes to cut out the truck of the tree. Once done, they will clean out the hollow truck of termite infestation by soaking the truck in water for a few days, allowing them to clear out whatever is leftover inside with a stick or coal. The outer bark is then stripped away with a machete. To test for possible holes in the truck, they sealed both ends by hands and place the truck in water. If bubbles appear it is obvious there are holes, which are then sealed with bees wax. The didgeridoo is usually 1.3 meters in length and is cut in a certain way, in that specific length to achieve the correct sound. The final touch is a layer or bees wax around the mouth piece.

Decoration:

Most didgeridoos are decorated with traditional Australian art. They were painted with ochres, according to the style and tradition of the clan. The patterns and pictures painted on them were to reflect stories, animals or important figures like gods and chiefs. The decorations added to the outside of the didgeridoo would not affect the overall sound.

Playing a didgeridoo (David Hudson)

Watch the video for an expert explanation on how to play the didgeridoo

The Functions of the Didgeridoo

How it is used in music pieces the role it plays in the community

The Didgeridoo has many functions and uses in the culture of the Aborigine Australians. It is a sacred instrument and the Aborigine of Australia believed it was invented by their Gods. It was primarily used in both open (for the whole public to enjoy) and secret ceremonies (only for specific tribe members)

Although these sacred ceremonies give the didgeridoo a specific function in Australian culture, it was also played for recreation, such as an accompaniment instrument to songs that specific clans sung for entertainment or teaching. Traditionally, the didgeridoo was used for story-telling or teaching about the natural surroundings, where the player uses the sounds made by the didgeridoo to imitate animal noises, as to aurally relate the story.

Most importantly, the didgeridoo has present throughout the whole of Australia’s cultural history. It appears in many Dreamtime stories (which are Aborigine mythology). One story tells us of a god who carried the didgeridoo on his back. Later, he transformed into a bird and the didgeridoo became his long tail. Another story tells of how the gods used the music of the didgeridoo to sing and dance as they created the world, then they passed on the instrument and music and dance to the humans. This made it important for the Aborigine to orally pass on traditions from generation and generation.