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Hi Kelly,

from how many tribes you know of,?
we have almost 500 here +there own language.
I know the Bundjalung and the Yuggera people, and I listen careful what they tell me.
Women do not play Didgeridoo.
I can tell you why,but not on the Net,-Mensbusiness!
To play Didge, you need more than circular breathing.
What is your intent when you play?

What i now do not understand is that because one tribe say no to women playing the didjeridu yet many others do allow it does this mean that all women should not play?? Sorry, as I said before I think, I have only been playing for 6 years and by no means consider myself an expert in the field, I only pass on information that I have attained from the many people I know here in the European community.

I do not play Didje to just circular breath? I play it as percussive instrument in a very 'Western Style' which to most Aboriginals of course sounds like an aeroplane in trouble I cannot and will never be able to play true Yidaki, I don't pretend to, i'm not Aboriginal, nor would I ever take their culture lightly I have nothing but utmost respect for any indiginous tribe, in Oz and around the world.

It sounds to me as if I i've upset you in some way Floatilla and this was never my intention, I was just answering a question that was posed to the best of my knowldge and from the many conversations that I have had with people who have spent significant time in Australia with various clans.

My own personal contact with any aboriginal community is with Yolngu people, I also know that there are many clans throughout Australia, all with their own language and most of whom Didjeridu plays no part in their culture, it seems that you're not happy with Frank's wife learning to play the Didjeridu?

I sat once with Mark Atkins (from the Yamitji people of Western Australia) and Charlie McMahon at a Didjeridu festival that's held in the UK every year, I spent a lot of time with them asking them various questions etc and one question that arose was women playing the Didjeridu.... the question arose due there being several female Didjeridu players performing at the festival and Mark's answer was that it was OK... he explained the ceremonial issues as well as going into detail about the white fella's who think they know what's best for the Aboriginal culture yet exploit their art, their Didjeridu's and their people...

I obviously stand corrected that everyone is happy with women playing Didjeridu (again I refer to my own limited knowledge from the last 6 years), but does that mean that because one tribe doesn't like it that all women shouldn't play? Surely it comes down to be sensitive in the presence of anyone from those tribes?

If we ever get to meet in person Floatilla then maybe that mens business is something we can have a good chat about, i'm incredibly interested in Aboriginal culture and the many cultures within, I want to learn but being 12,000 or so miles away from it makes it difficult to know every detail about every culture within.

It's not my intention to upset anyone with my comments, just trying to learn along the way and to educate those with what I know

G'day Kelly,

yes,we should hook up. Perhaps on Skype or someting.
I play the Didge since '93.The Yolngu people in NT have a lot of
Artist among them in Film/Music and Dance.
Even there, is no female Yidaki or Didgeplayer.
Anyway,we should Skype.Let me know if you wanna.

Maybe not in the public eye as a performer but many women of the Yolngu people help to source wood for Didjeridu's, they make them, paint them and play them as a past time and enjoyment for themselves though...

Tree.....
he watching you.
You look at tree,
he listen to you.
He got no finger,
he can't speak.
But that leaf....
he pumping,growing,
growing in the night.
While you sleeping
you dream something.
Tree and grass same thing.
They grow with your body,
with your feeling.

Indjuwanydjuwa


How I said before,we should hook up.

So, how about an update Frank? Does the 3rd rock from the Sun have a new female didge player?

Hi,

my wife hope to find out if they want to play a didgeridoo at the Hangout this year.
I hope she find fun to do this, because I like Hang with didgeridoo and a lot of people say it is good for asthmatic problems.
Kelly said in this thread, that he will show us a few beginner technics. If my wife want to play, than we look for a good instrument.

Greetings
Frank

I am fascinated Floatilla, about the Mens Business regarding female didgeridoo players..
The mind boggles!

there is none





mind the gap

Hallo Funky,
you can play Didgeridoo and Hang with one Hand, it works.
For the Beginning you can start with a bamboo Didgeridoo, which should be precisely in D or A according to the Hang-Ding.
Perhaps then, by hearing, your wife wants to join you.

Good "Hanging"

Martin

Die Firma Schlagwerk baut sauber gestimmte Travell-Didges

Women all over the world are playing didge and quite beautifully. Traditional prohibitions from cultures no longer apply. Same thing with native americans. Traditionally the flute was strictly a male instrument. Men courted women with the flute. Now even native American women play the flute. Mary Youngblood here in the USA has won two Grammies doing so.

...say's who? ..,to strong Tobacco for me...

Interesting read: and indeed website

http://www.yirrkala.com/yidaki/dhawu/35miyalk.html