iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

Hey guys, just got back from a short trip away to Garma and to help manyi Djalu. Some pics for your viewing. Will try to put some words to the pics in a moment.























































Guan

Hey cool )
Thanks for sharing those picts !

What's Djalu doing sleeping on the table pict#2 ?
Is it Vernon with the stripped shirt ? Gosh he grew up !

Cheers.

Here's something funny, should be in Funniest Home Videos! Just writing something now, will be back...



Guan

Here's a bit of a rundown on the trip and hopefully it will add a bit of colour and meaning to the pics I've attached in the previous post...

I managed to fit in 8 days in Gove primarily to help Djalu with a small Masterclass, and also to show Francis' cartoon to the Gurruwiwis. Also, for me, it was to get some sunshine after a miserable winter in Melbourne, and some much needed R&R after the last couple of hectic months not sleeping much and being on the go constantly.

Got into Gove in the morning feeling dead tired, those red eye flights sure knock you around. Once in Djalu's community at Birritjimi, it was straight to sleep in Djalu's living room. Djalu wasn't there himself as he was camped at Garma and there were few family members around. A few hours later, a text message from Djalu's sister Dhanggal "wanha nhe?" (where are you?). She was right outside the house! Rubbed my eyes, a quick shower and then we were off to Garma in my brother Randy's and Tara's truck to Gulkula with a bunch of family members packed in. It was a nice shiny 4WD obtained from putting $4 into a poker machine and getting $25,000 out of it. Lucky devil bros!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was the designated driver as Randy was feeling it after working as night security at Garma. Was told of a horrific accident a couple of days ago where a 19 year old local Balanda lady was killed rolling her vehicle and not wearing a seat belt. Guys, if you're traveling through Arnhem Land and driving on dirt roads, wear your seat belt ok? Too many accidents and deaths that could have been prevented.

Anyhow, first pic is at the Garma site taken on my mobile phone where Djalu was camped. He is as popular as ever with a big bunch of fans camped nearby and keeping the Gurruwiwis company during the day. I met up with old and new friends alike, Gordon, Kessey and Sylvie were there from "Meet the Stars", didn't see Zdenek as he was busy with volunteer work. Met up also with Stefano from Italy and was good to put face to name as we had previously been in contact through numerous emails planning Djalu's trip to Italy in 2009. Dhanggal took my place on that trip as my father was not well then and undergoing 16 courses of chemo for lung cancer, he's recovered very well though still needs to be careful and requires regular check-ups. Met up with a bunch of other overseas yidaki fans whom I had been in email contact with too, most guys were from Europe, the Japanese contingent was not there this year and I didn't meet any Americans.

Apparently Garma is now a lot less political, or should I say there's less politicking now that there is new management. Hats off to Rhoda Roberts as new Director, I had thought that maybe Garma might be cancelled this year and I had heard that the entire database at Yothu Yindi Foundation had been erased by old management so the whole thing including contacts and clients had to be re-built from the ground up. YYF is now under Gumatj Association, a natural association I guess as both are really Gumatj entities.

Vernon was the star at Garma the night before I arrived. He led the night time bunggul and got the Balanda audience to join in plus visiting dancers from Kununurra in Western Australia. He was popular with the girls that night, enough said!!!

Next pic is Djalu receiving a professional massage from Gordon at Birritjimi, I missed out and there was a bit of a queue at one stage of family members waiting to be rubbed, kneaded and squeezed. Djalu was feeling the strain of Garma plus a whole bunch of other things happening, so the massage was a nice little gift from Gordon, thanks mate!

The 5 pics after that are of a hunting trip with my mothers-in-law, we went to collect ganguri - a bush yam, and also shellfish. Because Jason from New Zealand is vegetarian, I thought we should get some things he could eat. We had lots of fish in the 8 days I lived in Djalu's house, plus miyapunu (turtle), all out of bounds for Jason. But the shellfish we collected Jason did not eat either, his is a strict no-animal diet. Vernon came along and provided comic relief, and also provided great tuition on the beach for Jason, who started as a player who could only circular breath to one who could play tonguings and create some basic trad rhythms by the time he left. I had my job cut out for me as Djalu was pretty tired from Garma plus there were other issues he had to deal with which sapped his energy, so I became the default teacher over the course of the Masterclass.

Next 3 pics are of Djalu's house - the kitchen, my room, and the living room. I had previously stayed at Lena Djapilawuy's house a few doors away on my 2 earlier visits, but that house has been taken over by Randy and his wife Tara and kids. So Djalu kindly offered me a room in his house, while he and other family members slept in the living room, up to 8 people on some nights! The air-conditioning wasn't working in my room but that was ok as the nights were cool, cold even and a couple of times I woke up and had to put a blanket on. Still Dharratharramirri season with nice sunny days though the old timers say the weather is strange these days and attribute it to global warming. Rain in the middle of the dry season?!?!

2 pics of Djalu's guests, out cutting yidaki, back at Birritjimi, and also a few pics of the community at Birritjimi from the street. We must have gone out 4 or 5 times cutting sticks, I gave Djalu a hand with the axe and also carried a few logs for him, at one time carrying 3 at a time, shoulders still sore. One thing to take notice of when you guys are out with Yolngu... watch how they cut yidaki and how the axe is held and the motion used. There's the men's way of chopping, and the women's way. I've not seen any Balanda visitors do it the right way yet, use gravity to your advantage and the job will be a lot easier and faster. This was pointed out to me by Neville White when I was out there at Donydji with him, being the proper anthropologist he is, he doesn't miss much.

Dopiya found guku, bush honey, the Yirritja variety, and what a treat it was! The visitors thoroughly enjoyed it as did I, nothing like the smell of fresh honey straight from the hive, and there was lots of gonydjuy sugarbag wax too, the best type of wax for mouthpieces.

Late one night I got a text message on my mobile from Galiwin'ku, an old lady had passed away, my ma:ri and Djalu's sister. Felt pretty sad but didn't say anything to families at Birritjimi in the morning, but sure enough the news had reached them through proper channels and there was a small family gathering outside Djalu's house to hear the news and for Djalu to ceremonially announce it with singing and ringgitj, that's the way it is done among family, you can't just blurt it out in Arnhem Land that's for sure.

I took a handful of pics of logs lying about the place around Djalu's house, I counted all up around 50 raw logs, partly completed instruments, and finished yidaki. Some nice shapes in there but the real beauty which Djalu made for me was a standout by far, a rare type of stick which I see every few years. A completely natural conical bore with a little bit of scrapping to the distal end, it has an old-school type of sound and by that I mean it isn't too "muddy" or "gritty" but is more clean sounding yet still had heaps of darkness, acoustic texture, depth and a whopping back pressure. Plays in the key of D with E flat overtone. Cracking thunderous bass, power like a Lamborghini engine, and that loudness, this yidaki would have made Monyu proud. Absolutely love it, love it, love it. Djalu crafted it with a helping hand from Vernon and Lena. Dopiya painted a stunning gapu design on my yidaki which knocked me off my feet. Thank you for Djalu and Dopiya, really, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!

The instrument in use at the moment by Djalu and family is one made by Ben Hicks, its been around for a few years now but has been shortened since I last saw it, it sounds and plays better now with a length cut off the distal end. I've got some nice footage of Vernon playing this stick, hopefully will upload to YouTube tomorrow.

I bought another yidaki which Lena cut and Vernon made for me, a cracker of a stick playing in a higher key, firecracker stuff that is fun to play and does everything I want it to. So 2 sticks out of 50 that were there, I'm totally satisfied with these 2 treasures. These days, it is really only Djalu, Dopiya and Lena who are doing the hard work of cutting and crafting yidaki, Vernon occasionally helps but seems to be distracted, girls maybe?? Larry is out of form at the moment, has put on a bit of weight from not playing football but his suspension will be lifted next year I heard so hopefully he will be fit and Baywara will be the powerhouse it has been in yesteryears. At the moment, Baywara is at the bottom of the ladder in Gove, a result of the combination of young players new to 2 things: football and alcohol. Randy who is captain reckons the guys can't handle their alcohol poor things, his words not mine. They're going to learn the hard way.

Last pic is Jamie Bitbit my son whom I looked after in Melbourne for a while. The day I arrived he was admitted to hospital, he had a fever, chest and scabies infection, and possibly pneumonia, plus he had a sore arm, I think a drunk trod on him. His silly mother is on the alcohol path at the moment. Poor thing. Grandmother looked after him and stayed with him in hospital and I visited each day just to make sure he is ok. He's walking and talking a little bit now, still cute as ever!

Heard some news about a new Yolngu tourism hub which will be called Lirrwi, it is a name that Djalu came up with and has lots of cultural significance. Scott Beverstock will be in charge and there will be 8 Yolngu on its Board of Directors. The old tourism hub had its funding pulled from under its feet due to Yolngu dissatisfaction with management, it went all the way to the Prime Minister believe it or not, I just hope the new hub will fulfill its objective of Yolngu empowerment and look forward to working with it on strategies to have long-term sustainable Yolngu businesses on Yolngu land controlled by Yolngu. I have a lot of confidence in its new structure and personnel and know that it will be run diligently so keep an eye out for announcements on upcoming events and tours.

Can't wait to get back to visit Djalu again, miss all the family, and its way too cold here in Melbourne still. My deep felt thanks to Djalu and Dopiya for looking after me in Gove, keeping me fed and with a roof over my head, and for that incredible magical yidaki. This time I'm in debt to the Gurruwiwis and I won't forget that.

Guan

Cool, thanks for taking time to write all this down
Feeling sad for Bitbit, hope he'll get on well out of hospital ! I'm sure he's lucky to have you as his "skin-daddy" !
You'll have to post us some picts and clips of your two awesome Yidakis too !
Is the first one the one Dopiya is painting in before-last pict ? The painting seems rare and beautiful !
Really can't wait to share those experiences and encounters down there !
(and to know what Djalu said about my comic too......)

Dear Guan,
thanks for the photos, the story and the news. The happy and the sad.
Especially glad to hear how Vernon is growing up and that the Tourism hub is getting
back into serious business.
I really must get back up to Arnhem Land soon.

cheers, Martin

Hey Guan,

was nice catching up with you @ Djalus´ had some really nice few hours. It was my greatest honer to give Djalu a little workout on his back and legs.

See you soon in Melb. and keep your smile... Us too wanted to head right back into Gurrumurru after being 15 min in Kathrin...

Kessy & Gordon

Hi Guan,

Your pics and words have given heaps of energy! Thanks for that!
All the memories warm you up in Melbourne, I'm sure!

Take care!

John

Here's that stick I was talking about, I tried to video as much as I could so had to edit heavily to keep this video under 10 minutes. I do not often take much notice when Yolngu make yidaki as I'm more interested in playing techniques, but learnt a bit just watching Djalu make this yidaki up. An absolute ripper thunder stick, no Balanda hands involved in its making, no knot holes, no repairs, no cracks. I got a bit nervous when I was resting inside the house (my room was right next to the workshop area) and overheard someone saying that the yidaki was staying at Birritjimi for use. Had to hurry outside to find out more, and luckily Djalu said I could still have it. This instrument is better than dhapirrk, you can heard Vernon remarking twice that it is murrnginy, the sort of description reserved for the very best of things. Murrnginy food, murrnginy spear, murrnginy vehicle etc. This is a murrnginy yidaki.

Another clip later of Vernon ripping this yidaki up.

Guan

Here's part II of the video, with Vernon playing this yidaki at the end... can be played slow, medium or fast. And in the key of D! Enjoy.



Guan

Ha ha haaaa ! Stunning ! Awesome ! Murrnginy ! Excellent ! Ça déchire !

Thanks Guan for posting everything on this topic from the pictures to the videos!! brilliant to see Djalu giving such such attention to detail in the making, Dopiya in the painting and Vernon with the playing of your new yidaki. You have acquired a true masterpiece, seen it made painted and played, something to treasure for life. Sorry to hear Bitbit is not well, is he the baby that was there at your house when we visited you back in Jan 2009? Reminds me a bit of the clip of Djalu's special healing yidaki (key of D)(Vernon playing again), same deep tone and power, that he made when his own personal one went missing (sold in error) which he finally got back. Starting to like "d's" now???? first the bambay, then this! whatever next?? I have always like that key( tho F is my favourite), horses for courses I say, some things ( the slower old school type rhythms) just sound better in a lower key I think

Thanks for the updates Guan. I found this article online which relates to the event:

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/dig-deep-i ... 133ay.html

Damn! There weren't any 'toppies' at the Walkabout when I was last there. I'll have to book a return trip!

Kyle

Hi Paul,

That was Bitbit you saw here in Melbourne when you visited in Jan 2009.

Djalu's personal healing yidaki that was sold (it was really sold, for a pittance, but Djalu was thinking about it constantly, and when he thinks too much, he makes himself sick) was returned from Japan, then in Europe last year, it was sold again because of excess luggage problems! So he's been thinking about making another for himself for a while now, the last few times he called he mentioned this, and today Dopiya was asking for materials (sandpaper rolls, new cloth for the drum sander) to be sent so a new one might not be far away

I think I was lucky with the D I got, have been playing it every day now and can't keep away from it.

It isn't so much that it is a D that I love it, it is its action and responsiveness, the way the tongue and the throat is able to get those thumping accents without much effort.

I have a similar one from Djalu in E/E that I also love, I really should try to build a collection comprising of 1 instrument in each of the keys starting from B up to G#. I don't have any Bs or Cs that I love yet in all this time, got a scorcher of an F/G from Gayili and a Djalu in F/F# - both going back a few years - that should also be in such a collection.

One thing I noticed when going out with Djalu when he cuts yidaki, he chooses really thick trunks to harvest, he doesn't even bother with the skinny ones and by skinny I don't mean that they won't be good, sometimes I see a nice natural shape in a tree that I presume wouldn't require much work (bark off and that's about it) but Djalu wouldn't even look at it. Unless the trunk has a diameter of 20 cm or more. Dopiya on the other hand would cut anything if the tree will make a good yidaki. I think Djalu has that training instilled in him by Monyu on how to select a tree for that thunderous Galpu sound.

A side issue but still relevant to Djalu... the old man spoke about Dhuluthulu for the first time on my recent visit, he admitted he had forgotten about it and was asked about it by Gapanbulu I think. It seems the YouTube videos I have are inspiring Yolngu to learn more about their own culture (there's that clip I have of Raymond Marpin playing the song Dhuluthulu). Djalu said that Dhuluthulu is actually a yidaki type, just like Djunggirriny, Baywara, Dhambilpil etc. So that must mean that the Djambarrpuyngu have as their sacred yidaki an instrument called Dhuluthulu. It kinda makes sense, Galpu also sing about Djunggirrny. I don't know if any of the Yirritja clans sing about Dhambilpil, whether that word itself is in the song text. I've got to go back to Peter Toner's work, if my memory serves me correctly, he talks about Dhalwangu estate and songs in his writings and there is a site where Dhambilpil is relevant. Anyway, getting off topic now...

Guan

Hi Kyle,

Its a mining town after all, a bloke's town! I went in there last week to get Dhanggal a packet of cigarettes at night and got hassled by a chick behind the bar to put money into the collection tin. She said it's titties money. I said I wasn't there to look at titties but she kept going on and on. I needed coins for the vending machine to get ciggies and Dhanggal gave me a $20 note so needed coinage, and after the chick gave me the $16 in $2 coins for a packet, she was going to keep the $4 for herself. I had to pressure her to give the change back. Pissed me off.

I'm proud of myself too in the 8 days, not a drop of alcohol! Been dry for a while now

Guan