iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

This is such a sensitive area and loaded with the fear of insulting those who will be hoping we all behave within the bounds of political correctedness. I certainly don't want to offend anyone but there are things that will eventually have to be said to resolve this issue or to come close to taking it seriously - and the headaches we all suffer are a result of this being such a difficult topic and because we all want to avoid creating angst yet at the same time correct these inequities.

Certainly one reason some people like to call a didjeridu a "yidaki" is because they also know the value of something created with "tradition" - something "authentic" or "genuine" - it posseses greater worth - a long history, so they label it with a different name hoping to imbue it with some of this power. Well that doesn't work for everybody does it.

BUT, we need to recognise that a good musical instrument can be called a didjeridu or even some other contemporaneous name and it still has worth - it's not the same instrument but it has a new value and can be marketed as such. This applies to all forms of urban/koori art manufacture and in the case of didjes those created by non-Aboriginal people as well. What's wrong with being the best balanda didje maker - be proud and say so - but don't mislabel what you make. Nothing wrong with churning out a didj if you're of mixed descent from southeastern Oz but don't do your fellow countrymen a disfavour and label it as something it isn't. Be proud and strong but recognise your heritage as different - don't be afraid to say so but don't put those trad folk down like so many non-Aboriginal people have in the past. Not a time for anger but a time for honesty from all - true reconciliation.

No matter what your colour or background, no matter what your relationship with anybody else, you can't change your true heritage/culture - you can't "become" Yolngu like they can't become balanda and such things do not give rights to call what you create a Yidaki or anything else from anothers' culture. The beauty of the word 'didjeridu' is that it doesn't belong to a culture - it can be used without doing damage.
The problems we see with this issue exist with every aspect of the indigenous arts industry - the use of dots, of cross-hatching etc etc..

This forum exists because this very dificult situation needs to be resolved - discussing such issues will raise awareness, lead to greater education, greater respect and the truth always comes out in the end. Recognizing and dealing with the truth is another matter.

This email will no doubt make me some enemies but every one of us on this tiny planet must stand up for what we believe in and help those that ask for it if we can - have integrity and be just.

Very well expressed Peter. I agree with you entirely and do feel it is time for honesty to prevail as you've said. You've got one comrade here who will stand with you against your enemies!

Peter thanks for spelling out a balanced view to me. I hope it DOES get resolved, with as little pain for all the groups involved as possible. It will be interesting to see how this issue changes in my life time. I think there have already been changes between 1999 and now. I look forward to seeing them in future.

Once again, thanks for giving a balanced view,


Dan

Hi Peter,
as I already wrote above with nowhere near your eloquence, I am with you. It is a question of everyone realising that yidaki is a specific instrument type coming from a specific cultural group.

Certainly if I were Yolngu and I heard of some other people referring to their didgeridoo like instruments as yidaki I would feel offended, and probably also somewhat powerless.

The idea that calling an instrument yidaki is good because it will point people in the right direction I believe is fallacious. If I want to point people in the right direction I should call a generic instrument a didgeridoo and explain what a yidaki is, what the meaning of this instrument is for the traditional makers and players and indicate places to go, things to learn to deepen ones true knowledge of this instrument.

M

Thanks for your support and acknowledgement guys. I truly believe there is a place for all instruments and players - it is a matter of respect for all involved. Honesty with ourselves and then with others no matter what our background and history.

(Martin, come stai ? I see you've been to Gunyangara since we last spoke - I know, its years isn't...good on you, ciao caro)

Nice one Peter and well said. I'm with you 100%.

Here is a thread that is relevant which I just wrote:

http://www.forum.ididj.com.au/viewtopic.php?p=713#713

Cheers,

Guan

Great images mate - what a shame. Sure these sticks serve a role but it's the misleading nature of the tags that's a serious problem. And these people are doing themselves, their culture and their business a disservice. The power of the dollar.

Thanks mate.

Hi there

Im with you guys ! salut Peter Lister

GGW