iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

Hi, I know this has nothing to do with didgeridoos, but everything to do with honest trade practices by native cultures.

Marian and I attended a native American pow wow on the nearby Cherokee reservation. Now you would expect a pow wow to be a hotbed of authentic native activities and crafts. A place where one might purchase artwork and artifacts actually created by the native people represented, and for the most part this is true.

We were browsing the native vendor stalls and happened across a lovely dream catcher that Marian wanted. We turned it over and it was labeled, "Made in China"! What a slap in the face to the honest craftspeople present. It was reported to the organizing committee...no idea the outcome.

I guess my point is, even though you are in the indigenous tribal areas, dealing with indigenous people, buyer beware!

To be fair, the tribal authorities try their best to keep things as they should be, but sometimes unsavory situations do crop up from time to time.

Hi Bruce,

Its so annoying isn't it when we encounter situations like this

Did I relate the story here b4 about a stall-holder at the Vic Markets here in Melb? He's Aboriginal, Yorta Yorta from Victoria, and he sells didgeridoos at his stall. But they're Bali-made ones. His family got pretty irate with him and gave him a good telling off, and his response, as he cheerfully said to me is, and I quote: "If whitefellas can do it, why can't I?". Fair enough comment. The issue I suppose is not capitalism but representation, he actually passes them off as didgeridoos he has made and painted, yikes!

Guan

I think i ve seen those didjes in Melb in the Markets..... i think i also made a comment, but can 't remember what answer i got......
Problem is nothing stops those items coming from Bali into Australia....and they sure do!!!! just havin a look at nearly every tourist didje and souvenirs shop
Well, the government should change his laws regarding those cultural-commercial issues..... they sure should be protecting their cultural heritage against fraud..... but i guess free market is just that.....
So i am happy educating people when i can about it

cheers

Loic

Cheers Loic! We can only try our best, keep up your good work I don't think there is a problem with the Bali-made didgeridoos as long as they are correctly labelled and represented. They are a cheap alternative to the authentic instruments and beginners I suppose want to start with beginner instruments. However, there have been instances where these beginner Bali-made instruments have been sold for big big money like over $1000! That's when the retailer has clearly breached fair trade laws!

Guan