Sunday, September 4, 2011

Didgeridoos - Clearly Unique

By Claudia Kasen


There's no mistaking the characteristic sound of a didgeridoo, the traditional woodwind instrument associated for centuries with the aborigines of Australia. They have been made and used from times immemorial and are prized today as among the best symbols of aboriginal culture, music and tradition. Often made of the wood of the eucalyptus tree, that has been hollowed out, they are embellished with colourful inscriptions and photos, all of which are important and symbolical to those that make and play them. It is said that a didgeridoo is not genuine unless it's been made by someone who himself has been involved in this long line of practice and history and whose ancestors likewise made and used these instruments.

Succeeding generations have utilised the didgeridoo in ceremonies, civil and religious, at celebrations and on special occasions. It is regarded nearly as something holy, like totem poles to the Indians, and is believed to be a potent way of perpetuating the traditional aboriginal custom, culture and way of life, currently under threat. They come mainly from the Yolgnu peoples of northerly Australia and occasionally the didgeridoo is commonly known as a Yidaki. Some are made now in plastic as they are claimed to be more hygienic. There are long didgeridoos, bell didgeridoos, and forked didgeridoos. Nobody exactly knows the origins of the word didgeridoo, although many views and hypotheses have been propounded.

The Unique Characteristics Of The Australian Didgeridoo

They come in all shapes and sizes although basically they are a long hollow pipe but you should buy didgeridoos that make low sounds and others that produce high notes. The material they are made from impacts on the sound they make and they need a strong pair of lungs if they are going to be really effective. Due to this there are some health benefits to be derived from playing this ancient instrument and it could be wise to peruse sites that focus on the best way to properly play the didge.

Though the didgeridoo is extremely popular and many are sold across the world, there is not any guarantee that these are real, in the way I have described and therefore the north Australian clans who still make them and rely heavily on their sales for earnings, are seeing little by way of profit and their technique of life and very existence is in grave danger. We can do something to help by insisting on purchasing really real aboriginal didgeridoos and getting some kind of evidence or proof that the instrument you are buying is genuine.




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