80-609: Yothu Yindi ( Yolngu for "child and mother", pronounced / j ɒ θ uː ˈ j ɪ n d i / ) are an Australian musical group with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members, formed in 1986 as a merger of two bands formed in 1985 – a white rock group called the Swamp Jockeys (Todd Williams, Michael Wyatt, Cal Williams, Stuart Kellaway, Andrew Bellety), and an unnamed Aboriginal folk group consisting of Mandawuy Yunupingu , Witiyana Marika , and Milkayngu Mununggur. The Aboriginal members came from Yolngu homelands near Yirrkala on
160-501: A New Age style of music with liner notes promoting the instrument's spirituality which misleads consumers about the didgeridoo's secular role in traditional Aboriginal culture. The taboo is particularly strong among many Aboriginal groups in the South East of Australia, where it is forbidden and considered "cultural theft" for non-Aboriginal women, and especially performers of New Age music regardless of sex, to play or even touch
240-624: A Yolngu band composed of Witiyana Marika on manikay (traditional vocals), bilma (ironwood clapsticks ) and dance, Milkayngu Mununggurr on yidaki ( didgeridoo ), Gurrumul 'The Guru' Yunupingu on keyboards, guitar and percussion, and Bakamana Yunupingu on vocals and guitar. They united to form Yothu Yindi (pronounced / ˌ j ɒ θ uː ˈ j ɪ n d iː / ). Yothu yindi is a Yolngu matha (Yolngu language) kinship term for "child and mother". The band combines aspects of both musical cultures. Their sound varies from traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs in which they blend
320-416: A fortis–lenis contrast in plosive consonants . Lenis/short plosives have weak contact and intermittent voicing, while fortis/long plosives have full closure, a more powerful release burst, and no voicing. A three-way vowel distinction is shared between Yolŋu varieties, though not all Yolŋu varieties have a contrast in vowel length . In the varieties that do have a length contrast, long vowels occur only in
400-546: A 1914 edition of The Northern Territory Times and Gazette , and a 1919 issue of Smith's Weekly , in which it was referred to as a "didjerry" and was said to produce the sound "didjerry, didjerry, didjerry and so on ad infinitum". A rival explanation, that didgeridoo is a corruption of the Irish phrase dúdaire dubh or Scottish Gaelic dùdaire dúth , is controversial. Irish dúdaire or dúidire , and Scottish Gaelic dùdaire , are nouns that, depending on
480-523: A bell end of anywhere between 5 and 20 centimetres (2 and 8 in) and have a length corresponding to the desired key. The end of the pipe can be shaped and smoothed to create a comfortable mouthpiece or an added mouthpiece can be made of any shaped and smoothed material such as rubber, a rubber stopper with a hole or beeswax. Modern didgeridoo designs are distinct from the traditional Australian Aboriginal didgeridoo, and are innovations recognised by musicologists . Didgeridoo design innovation started in
560-550: A chord to the guitar, and around that camp fire, I said, "Well, I heard it on the radio. And I saw it on the television." That should be a catchphrase. And that's where 'Treaty' was born. "Treaty" was written by Australian musician Paul Kelly and Yothu Yindi members Mandawuy Yunupingu, Kellaway, Williams, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Mununggurr and Marika. The initial release had little interest, but when Melbourne-based dance remixers Filthy Lucre 's Gavin Campbell and Robert Goodge adapted
640-475: A concert for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd some hours before the stabbing of the woman, who was admitted to hospital, and N. Yunupingu's subsequent death. In 2009, News.com.au reported that Yothu Yindi lead singer Mandawuy Yunupingu needed a kidney transplant. Yunupingu said he drank up to four cartons of alcohol a day. "Alcohol was a big influence in my life. I didn't know what harm it did to my body. Before I knew, it
720-524: A dancer. Mandawuy, with his older brother Galarrwuy, wanted a song to highlight the lack of progress on the treaty between Aboriginal peoples and the federal government. Mandawuy recalls: Bob Hawke visited the Territory. He went to this gathering in Barunga. And this is where he made a statement that there shall be a treaty between black and white Australia. Sitting around the camp fire, trying to work out
800-531: A didgeridoo. A 2006 study reported in the British Medical Journal found that learning and practising the didgeridoo helped reduce snoring and obstructive sleep apnea by strengthening muscles in the upper airway, thus reducing their tendency to collapse during sleep. In the study, intervention subjects were trained in and practised didgeridoo playing, including circular breathing and other techniques. Control subjects were asked not to play
880-675: A higher pitch than unflared instruments of the same length. There are no reliable sources of the exact age of the didgeridoo. Archaeological studies suggest that people of the Kakadu region in Northern Australia have been using the didgeridoo for less than 1,000 years, based on the dating of rock art paintings. A clear rock painting in Ginga Wardelirrhmeng, on the northern edge of the Arnhem Land plateau, from
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#1732775310230960-654: A note for as long as desired. Recordings exist of modern didgeridoo players playing continuously for more than 40 minutes; Mark Atkins on Didgeridoo Concerto (1994) plays for over 50 minutes continuously. Although circular breathing does eliminate the need to stop playing to take a breath, discomfort might still develop during a period of extended play due to chapped lips or other oral discomfort. The didgeridoo functions "...as an aural kaleidoscope of timbres" and "the extremely difficult virtuoso techniques developed by expert performers find no parallel elsewhere." The didgeridoo virtuoso and composer William Barton has expanded
1040-801: A second single " Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) " was released in August. Neither their singles nor album had any major chart success. Yothu Yindi toured with Neil Young in Australia, then head-lined in Papua New Guinea and Hong Kong. In 1990 they toured New Zealand with Tracy Chapman , and then performed in festivals in the UK. In 1990 five clans of the Yolngu formed the Yothu Yindi Foundation to promote Yulngu cultural development. Chairman of
1120-442: A vibrating sound of the lips to produce the basic drone. More advanced playing involves the technique known as circular breathing . The circular breathing technique requires breathing in through the nose whilst simultaneously using the muscles of the cheeks to compress the cheeks and release the stored air out of the mouth. By using this technique, a skilled player can replenish the air in their lungs, and with practice they can sustain
1200-487: Is a wind instrument , played with vibrating lips to produce a continuous drone while using a special breathing technique called circular breathing . The didgeridoo was developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia at least 1,000 years ago, and is now in use around the world, though still most strongly associated with Indigenous Australian music . In the Yolŋu languages of the indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land
1280-573: Is a popular song written in 1987 by Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers and Bruce Woodley of The Seekers . It was released as a single in 1997 by trio Judith Durham of The Seekers, Russell Hitchcock from Air Supply and Yothu Yindi's Mandawuy Yunupingu by EMI Australia and it peaked at No. 17 on the ARIA Singles Charts in June. Yothu Yindi's fifth album One Blood was released in 1999 and included "Treaty '98". They sponsored
1360-590: Is known as a mako , a name popularised by virtuoso player David Blanasi , a Bininj man, whose language was Kunwinjku , and who brought the didgeridoo to world prominence. However the mako is slightly different from the Yiḏaki: usually shorter, and sounding somewhat different – a slightly fuller and richer sound, but without the "overtone" note. There are at least 45 names for the didgeridoo, several of which suggest its original construction of bamboo , such as bambu , bombo , kambu , and pampu , which are still used in
1440-607: Is no prohibition in the Dreaming Law . For example, in 1966, ethnomusicologist Alice Marshall Moyle made a recording in Borroloola of Jemima Wimalu, a Mara woman from the Roper River, proficiently playing the didgeridoo. In 1995, musicologist Steve Knopoff observed Yirrkala women performing djatpangarri songs that are traditionally performed by men and in 1996, ethnomusicologist Elizabeth MacKinley reported women of
1520-654: Is offered at Charles Darwin University , teaching Yolŋu kinship, law and the Gupapuyŋu language variety. ABC Indigenous News Radio broadcasts a news program in Yolngu Matha and also in Warlpiri on weekdays. The Aboriginal Resource and Development Services (ARDS) broadcast live radio in northeast Arnhem Land, Darwin and Palmerston and provide recordings of past programs on the internet. Like other languages of
1600-512: Is somewhat in the manner of a trombone . The didgeridoo has been used by a number of modern bands in various types of music. It was featured on the British children's TV series Blue Peter . Industrial music bands like Test Dept use the didgeridoo. Early songs by the acid jazz band Jamiroquai featured didgeridoo player Wallis Buchanan, including the band's first single " When You Gonna Learn ", which features prominent didgeridoo in
1680-653: The Billboard Hot Dance Club Play singles charts, with "Treaty" peaking at No. 6, Tribal Voice peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Top World Music Albums chart in 1992. In October 1992, then Prime Minister Paul Keating 's government awarded Yothu Yindi with a $ 30,000 grant. The money was used to travel to New York, where they performed at the United Nations for the launch of International Year for
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#17327753102301760-417: The lingua franca by some Aboriginal people. The following are some of the more common regional names. A didgeridoo is usually cylindrical or conical , and can measure anywhere from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) long. Most are around 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Generally, the longer the instrument, the lower its pitch or key. However, flared instruments play a higher pitch than unflared instruments of
1840-572: The ARIA singles charts in 1991 and the related album Tribal Voice peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA albums charts. The group established the Yothu Yindi Foundation in 1990 to promote Yolngu cultural development, including from 1999 producing the annual Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures and from May 2007 running the Dilthan Yolngunha (meaning "Healing Place"). Chairman of the foundation
1920-736: The Filthy Lucre duo Nick Coleman and Gavin Campbell worked on mixing and production . The group played on ABC Radio's The Friday Revue and at the Homeground festival at the Sydney Opera House , which celebrates Indigenous culture (November 2017), and created a hip hop version of Treaty with Baker Boy . Inn January 2018 they were booked to play at the Enmore Theatre with The Herd . They also played Strawberry Fields Festival , Queenscliff Music Festival at
2000-757: The Gove Peninsula in Northern Territory 's Arnhem Land . Founding members included Stuart Kellaway on bass guitar , Cal Williams on lead guitar , Andrew Belletty on drums , Witiyana Marika on manikay (traditional vocals), bilma (ironwood clapsticks ) and dance, Milkayngu Mununggurr on yidaki , Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu on keyboards , guitar, and percussion , past lead singer Mandawuy Yunupingu and present Yirrnga Yunupingu on vocals and guitar. The band combines aspects of both musical cultures. Their sound varies from traditional Aboriginal songs to modern pop and rock songs, where they blended
2080-413: The harmonic spacing of the resonances in a cylindrical plastic pipe, whose resonant frequencies fall in the ratio 1:3:5 etc. The second resonance of a didgeridoo (the note sounded by overblowing) is usually around an 11th higher than the fundamental frequency (a frequency ratio of 8:3). The vibration produced by the player's lips has harmonics in the ratio 1:2:3 etc. However, the non-harmonic spacing of
2160-820: The 'Yolŋu tongue', is a linguistic family that includes the languages of the Yolngu (also known as the Yolŋu and Yuulngu languages), the indigenous people of northeast Arnhem Land in northern Australia . The ŋ in Yolŋu is pronounced as the ng in singing . Yolŋu Matha consists of about six languages, some mutually intelligible, divided into about thirty clan varieties and perhaps twelve different dialects , each with its own Yolŋu name. Put together, there are about 4600 speakers of Yolŋu Matha languages. Exogamy has often meant that mothers and fathers speak different languages, so that children traditionally grew up at least bilingual, and in many cases polylingual, meaning that communication
2240-578: The ARIA Hall of Fame. Yothu Yindi created a special place in the Nation's heart through their passionate and ground breaking music. Their achievements remain a lasting heritage in both our community and overseas and we look forward to celebrating their induction at the ARIAs in is what is sure to be a magic moment". The group were joined by Garrett, Kelly, Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan to perform "Treaty" at
2320-602: The Cultural Olympics. Bart Willoughby (ex- No Fixed Address , Coloured Stone ) joined on drums in late 1988 and Yothu Yindi toured USA and Canada as support act to Midnight Oil . Upon their return to Australia, they were signed to Mushroom Records , and with Leszek Karski (ex-Supercharge) producing, recorded their debut single "Mainstream", released in March 1989. It was followed by debut album Homeland Movement in May;
2400-413: The Dilthan Yolngunha (Healing Place) using traditional healing practices and mainstream medicines. On 23 July 2008 a 23-year-old woman was stabbed numerous times; "yidaki" player N. Yunupingu, who was described by Northern Territory police as the offender, was later found dead by hanging. N. Yunupingu was the nephew of both Galarrwuy and Mandawuy Yunupingu, and, as members of Yothu Yindi, they had just played
2480-764: The Gumatj dialect of Yolŋu Matha, as did the Aboriginal rock group Yothu Yindi . Baker Boy , from the community of Milingimbi in North Eastern Arnhem Land released the song "Cloud 9" in 2017, in which he raps in Yolŋu Matha. As Young Australian of the Year in 2019, the International Year of Indigenous Languages , and with two of his songs in the 2019 Triple J Hottest 100 , he raised
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2560-649: The Top End, Yolŋu-Matha contains many loanwords from Austronesian languages due to abundant contact with seafaring peoples from the Indonesian archipelago . Walker and Zorc have identified 179 Yolŋu-Matha words that are clearly of Austronesian origin, and have identified a further 70 possible Austronesian loanwords requiring further study. Capell (1942) lists the following basic vocabulary items: Yidaki The didgeridoo ( / ˌ d ɪ dʒ ər i ˈ d uː / ), also spelt didjeridu , among other variants,
2640-747: The World's Indigenous People. Mandawuy Yunupingu was named Australian of the Year by the Keating government on 26 January 1993. His older brother, Galarrwuy had been named Australian of the Year in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities. In 2009 'Treaty' was added to the National Film and Sound Archive 's Sounds of Australia Registry. At the 1993 ARIA Awards, Yothu Yindi won 'Best Video', Burrundi Pictures Michael Wyatt and Stephen Johnson, directed by Stephen Maxwell Johnson , and 'Best Indigenous Release' for " Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) " and 'Engineer of
2720-584: The Yanyuwa group giving public performances. Although there is no prohibition in the area of the didgeridoo's origin, such restrictions have been applied by other Indigenous communities. The didgeridoo was introduced to the Kimberleys in the early 20th century but it was only much later, such as in Rose's 2008 criticism of The Daring Book for Girls , that Aboriginal men showed adverse reactions to women playing
2800-466: The Year for "Maralitja" ( maralitja is Yolngu matha for crocodile man – one of Mandawuy's tribal names), "Dharpa" ( dharpa is tree), "Treaty", "Treaty (Filthy Lucre remix)" and "Tribal Voice" by David Price, Ted Howard, Greg Henderson and Simon Polinski; ARIA Award for Best Indigenous Release for Tribal Voice ; ARIA Award for Song of the Year and Single of the Year for "Treaty. Both "Treaty" in 1992 and " Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) " in 1993 charted on
2880-584: The Year' for Greg Henderson's work on "Djäpana" and "Tribal Voice". Yothu Yindi's third album Freedom was released in November 1993, the line-up included Mandawuy, Gurrumul, Makuna and Mangatjay Yunupingu, Marika, Williams, Kellaway, Benjamin and Munumggurr; and new members Banula Marika on vocals and dance, Bunimburr Marika on yidaki , Natalie Gillespie on vocals, Jodie Cockatoo Creed on vocals and clan leader Galarrwuy Yunupingu on bilma and vocals. After intense touring in 1994, Williams left Yothu Yindi and
2960-592: The Yothu Yindi Foundation, which produces the annual Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures celebrating Yolngu culture from 1999, and their sixth album Garma was released in 2000, with Cal Williams returning on guitars. In 2000, Yothu Yindi performed at the closing ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games . On 9 August 2000, 30-year-old Betsy Yunupingu was kicked in the head. She subsequently died, Yothu Yindi band member Gavin Makuma Yunupingu
3040-825: The Yothu Yindi song "Mabo" for the first time as a single in April 2019. On 26 June 2021, Yothu Yindi played at the Yarrapay Festival , which was directed by Witiyana Marika, at Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Art Centre in Yirrkala , along with the Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Yirrmal, and East Journey . In August 2023, Yothu Yindi were inducted into the NIMAs ( National Indigenous Music Awards ) Hall of Fame for their trailblazing contribution to Indigenous music and
3120-798: The attention of the world. In 1988, as part of Bicentennial celebrations, Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke visited the Northern Territory for the Barunga festival where he was presented with a statement of Aboriginal political objectives by Galarrwuy Yunupingu and Wenten Rubuntja . Hawke responded to the Barunga Statement with a promise that a treaty would be concluded with Indigenous Australians by 1990. By 1991, Yothu Yindi were Hughie Benjamin on drums, Sophie Garrkali and Julie Gungunbuy as dancers, Kellaway, Marika, Mununggurr, Gurrumul Yunupingu, Makuma Yunupingu on yidaki , vocals, bilma , Mandawuy Yunupingu, Mangatjay Yunupingu as
3200-895: The band King Stingray , whose line-up includes Mandawuy's nephew, Yirrŋa Yunupingu, as lead vocalist, and Stuart Kellaway's son Roy Kellaway on guitar. Yothu Yindi has won eight Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards from 14 nominations. In 2012 they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame . The Deadly Awards , (commonly known simply as The Deadlys), was an annual celebration of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement in music, sport, entertainment and community. They ran from 1996 to 2013. The National Indigenous Music Awards recognise excellence, innovation and leadership among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians from throughout Australia. They commenced in 2004. The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) commenced in 2016 to recognise contributions to
3280-682: The band into the ARIA Hall of Fame , as part of the ARIA Music Awards of 2012 . In 2023, the band were inducted into the National Indigenous Music Awards Hall of Fame. Swamp Jockeys were formed in 1985 by balanda (European/non-Aboriginal people) Todd Williams songwriter and lead singer, Michael Wyatt, songwriter and lead singer, Andrew Belletty on drums, Stuart Kellaway on bass guitar and Cal Williams on lead guitar. On their tour of Arnhem Land , in Australia's Northern Territory , they were supported by
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3360-639: The beat for the songs during ceremonies. The rhythm of the didgeridoo and the beat of the clapsticks are precise, and these patterns have been handed down for many generations. In the Wangga genre, the song-man starts with vocals and then introduces bilma to the accompaniment of didgeridoo. Traditionally, only men play the didgeridoo and sing during ceremonial occasions; playing by women is sometimes discouraged by Aboriginal communities and elders. In 2008, publisher HarperCollins apologised for its book The Daring Book for Girls , which openly encouraged girls to play
3440-500: The ceremony. In 2019 Double J "s Dan Condon described this as one of "7 great performances from the history of the ARIA Awards." The "best of" compilation, Healing Stone (The Best of Yothu Yindi) , was released in November 2012 which included the new track "Healing Stone", produced by Andrew Farriss of INXS. On 2 June 2013 lead singer M. Yunupingu died of renal failure . In line with Yolngu cultural protocols, on 4 June 2013
3520-424: The context, may mean "trumpeter", " hummer ", " crooner " or " puffer ", while Irish dubh means "black", and Scottish Gaelic dúth means " native ". There are numerous names for the instrument among the Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia , none of which closely resemble the word "didgeridoo" (see below). Some didgeridoo enthusiasts, scholars and Aboriginal people advocate using local language names for
3600-417: The dead heartwood of the tree, as the living sapwood contains a chemical that repels the insects. Various techniques are employed to find trees with a suitable hollow, including knowledge of landscape and termite activity patterns, and a kind of tap or knock test, in which the bark of the tree is peeled back, and a fingernail or the blunt end of a tool, such as an axe, is knocked against the wood to determine if
3680-559: The didgeridoo in some songs, including "Love the Way You Hate Me" from their album Chaos Theory: Part 1 (2012). Kate Bush made extensive use of the didgeridoo, played by Australian musician Rolf Harris , on her album The Dreaming (1982), which was written and recorded after a holiday in Australia. Traditionally, the didgeridoo was played as an accompaniment to ceremonial dancing and singing and for solo or recreational purposes. For Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia,
3760-442: The didgeridoo's sound can be made by adding vocalisations to the drone. Most of the vocalisations are related to sounds emitted by Australian animals, such as the dingo or the kookaburra . To produce these sounds, the players use their vocal folds to produce the sounds of the animals whilst continuing to blow air through the instrument. The results range from very high-pitched sounds to much lower sounds involving interference between
3840-930: The family requested that the first names of the deceased no longer be used until further notice. In 2015 they collaborated with rock-reggae band East Journey on a project called The Genesis Project, which included an EP and a performance at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2015 . In 2017, inspired by the 25th anniversary remix of " Treaty (Filthy Lucre remix) ", some of the original members of Yothu Yindi, along with several new artists, created an electronica project entitled Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project (YYATTP). Longtime members Witiyana Marika, Malngay Yunupingu and Stuart Kellaway were joined by blues singer Yirrmal (Marika's son), vocalists Yirrnga Yunupingu and Constantina Bush (aka Kamahi Djordon King), multi-instrumentalist Ania Reynolds (director of Circus Oz ) and guitarist Megan Bernard, while
3920-581: The foundation was Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Mandawuy's older brother, a Yolngu clan leader and sometimes a member of Yothu Yindi on bilma and guitar. Galarrwuy had been named Australian of the Year in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities. Around this time, a relative of Bakamana who bore the same name died, and he therefore changed his first name to Mandawuy, in line with Yolngu tradition. The band commissioned their friend and relative (married to Gurrumul's sister), master yiḏaki-maker Djalu Gurruwiwi , to make their didgeridoos, which also brought his skills to
4000-525: The freshwater period (that had begun 1500 years ago) shows a didgeridoo player and two song-men participating in an Ubarr ceremony. It is thus thought that it was developed by Aboriginal peoples of northern Australia, possibly in Arnhem Land . T. B. Wilson's Narrative of a Voyage Round the World (1835) includes a drawing of an Aboriginal man from Raffles Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula (about 350 kilometres (220 mi) east of Darwin ) playing
4080-572: The hollow produces the right resonance. Once a suitably hollow tree is found, it is cut down and cleaned out, the bark is taken off, the ends trimmed, and the exterior is shaped; this results in a finished instrument. A rim of beeswax may be applied to the mouthpiece end. Non-traditional didgeridoos can be made from native or non-native hard woods (typically split, hollowed and rejoined), glass, fibreglass , metal, agave , clay, resin , PVC piping and carbon fibre. These typically have an upper inside diameter of around 3 centimetres (1.2 in) down to
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#17327753102304160-542: The initial syllable of words. The films Ten Canoes (2006) and Charlie's Country (2013), both directed by Rolf de Heer and featuring actor David Gulpilil , feature dialogue in Yolŋu Matha. Ten Canoes was the first feature film to be shot entirely in Australian indigenous languages, with the dialogue largely in the Ganalbiŋu variety of Yolŋu Matha. Dr. G. Yunupingu was a popular Australian singer who sang in
4240-399: The instrument after Aboriginal academic Mark Rose described such encouragement as "extreme cultural insensitivity" and "an extreme faux pas ... part of a general ignorance that mainstream Australia has about Aboriginal culture." However, Linda Barwick , an ethnomusicologist , said that though traditionally women have not played the didgeridoo in ceremony, in informal situations there
4320-623: The instrument and prohibitions are especially evident in the South East of Australia. The belief that women are prohibited from playing is widespread among non-Aboriginal people and is also common among Aboriginal communities in Southern Australia; some ethnomusicologists believe that the dissemination of the taboo belief and other misconceptions is a result of commercial agendas and marketing. The majority of commercial didgeridoo recordings available are distributed by multinational recording companies and feature non-Aboriginal people playing
4400-550: The instrument was "only known in the eastern Kimberley [region in Western Australia] and the northern third of the Northern Territory ". The name didgeridoo is not of Aboriginal Australian linguistic origin and is considered to be an onomatopoetic word. The earliest occurrences of the word in print include a 1908 edition of the Hamilton Spectator referring to a " 'did-gery-do' (hollow bamboo)",
4480-407: The instrument's resonances means that the harmonics of the fundamental note are not systematically assisted by instrument's resonances, as is usually the case for Western wind instruments (e.g., in the low range of the clarinet , the 1st, 3rd, and 5th harmonics of the reed are assisted by resonances of the bore). Sufficiently strong resonances of the vocal tract can strongly influence the timbre of
4560-512: The instrument. Yiḏaki (transcribed yidaki in English, sometimes spelt yirdaki ) is one of the most commonly used names although, strictly speaking, it refers to a specific type of the instrument made and used by the Yolngu peoples of north-east Arnhem Land . Some Yolngu people began using the word mandapul after 2011, out of respect for the passing of a Manggalili man who had a name sounding similar to yidaki. In west Arnhem Land, it
4640-462: The instrument. At some frequencies, whose values depend on the position of the player's tongue, resonances of the vocal tract inhibit the oscillatory flow of air into the instrument. Bands of frequencies that are not thus inhibited produce formants in the output sound. These formants, and especially their variation during the inhalation and exhalation phases of circular breathing, give the instrument its readily recognisable sound. Other variations in
4720-474: The instrument. Others observed such an instrument in the same area, made of bamboo and about 3 feet (0.9 m) long. In 1893, English palaeontologist Robert Etheridge, Junior observed the use of "three very curious trumpets" made of bamboo in northern Australia. There were then two native species of bamboo growing along the Adelaide River, Northern Territory ". According to A. P. Elkin , in 1938,
4800-572: The introduction and solo sections. Ambient artist Steve Roach uses it in his collaborative work Australia: Sound of the Earth with Australian Aboriginal artist David Hudson and cellist Sarah Hopkins, as well as Dreamtime Return . It is used in the Indian song " Jaane Kyon " from the film Dil Chahta Hai . Chris Brooks, lead singer of the New Zealand hard rock band Like a Storm , uses
4880-477: The late 20th century, using non-traditional materials and non-traditional shapes. The practice has sparked, however, a good deal of debate among indigenous practitioners and non-indigenous people about its aesthetic, ethical, and legal issues. Didgeridoos can be painted by their maker or a dedicated artist using traditional or modern paints while others retain the natural wood grain design with minimal or no decoration. A didgeridoo can be played simply by producing
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#17327753102304960-410: The lip and vocal fold vibrations. Adding vocalisations increases the complexity of the playing. Charlie McMahon , who formed the group Gondwanaland , was one of the first non-Aboriginal players to gain fame as a professional didgeridoo player. He has toured internationally with Midnight Oil . He invented the didjeribone, a sliding didgeridoo made from two lengths of plastic tubing; its playing style
5040-456: The live music industry in Australia. The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards ), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Yothu Yindi won three awards in that time. Yol%C5%8Bu Matha Yolŋu Matha ( IPA: [ˈjuːŋuːl ˈmaːtaː] ), meaning
5120-483: The name for the instrument is the yiḏaki , or more recently by some, mandapul . In the Bininj Kunwok language of West Arnhem Land it is known as mako . A didgeridoo is usually cylindrical or conical , and can measure anywhere from 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) long. Most are around 1.2 m (4 ft) long. Generally, the longer the instrument, the lower its pitch or key. Flared instruments play
5200-515: The opening night of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games , continuing live performances into at least March 2019, including a tour to New Zealand, playing on Waitangi Day 2019 in Auckland . The group have been described as a "fluid collective", with other musicians quite often joining them on stage. Shane Howard , frontman of the band Goanna , has regularly played with them. They released
5280-538: The profile of Yolŋu Matha in mainstream media as well as giving people at home pride in their language. Dictionaries have been produced by Beulah Lowe, David Zorc and Michael Christie. A free, web-based searchable dictionary created by John Greatorex was launched in February 2015 by Charles Darwin University . There are also several grammars of Yolŋu languages by Jeffrey Heath, Frances Morphy, Melanie Wilkinson and others. A graduate certificate in Yolŋu studies
5360-528: The rights of First Nations people. Arranged alphabetically: Many other musicians apart from Paul Kelly have collaborated or performed with Yothu Yindi, including Jimmy Barnes , Billy Thorpe , members of the Grateful Dead , Midnight Oil , Neil Young , Santana , and Emma Donovan . Dhapanbal Yunupiŋu, daughter of Mandawuy Yunupiŋu, is a singer-songwriter , who credits the band with providing inspiration to many young Yolngu musicians. Among these are
5440-440: The role of the instrument in the concert hall both with his own orchestral and chamber music works and with those written or arranged for him by prominent Australian composer Peter Sculthorpe . A termite-bored didgeridoo has an irregular shape that, overall, usually increases in diameter towards the lower end. This shape means that its resonances occur at frequencies that are not harmonically spaced in frequency. This contrasts with
5520-600: The same length. The didgeridoo is classified as a wind instrument and is similar in form to a straight trumpet , but made of wood. It has also been called a dronepipe. Traditional didgeridoos are usually made from hardwoods , especially the various eucalyptus species that are endemic to northern and central Australia. Generally the main trunk of the tree is harvested, though a substantial branch may be used instead. Traditional didgeridoo makers seek suitably hollow live trees in areas with obvious termite activity. Termites attack these living eucalyptus trees, removing only
5600-576: The song, their version peaked at No. 11 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) singles charts by September. The song contains lyrics in both English and in Yolngu matha . It was accompanied by a video showing band members performing vocals, music, and dance. Success for the single was transferred to the related album Tribal Voice which peaked at No. 4 on the ARIA albums charts, The album, produced by Mark Moffatt for Mushroom Records,
5680-412: The typical instruments associated with pop/rock bands, such as guitars and drums, with the traditional yidaki (didgeridoo ) and bilma (clap stick) . They adapted traditional Yolngu dance performances to accompany their music. More broadly, they promoted mutual respect and understanding in the coming together of different cultures. Yothu Yindi's most widely known song, " Treaty ", peaked at No. 11 on
5760-505: The typical instruments of pop/rock bands, such as guitars and drums, with the traditional yidaki and bilma . They have adapted traditional Yolngu dance performances to accompany their music. More broadly they promote mutual respect and understanding of different cultures. Michael Wyatt, from the Swamp Jockeys, went on to become Yothu Yindi's pilot and with Stephen Johnson made Yothu Yindi's multiple award winning music video clips. He
5840-575: The yidaki is still used to accompany singers and dancers in cultural ceremonies . For the Yolngu people, the yidaki is part of their whole physical and cultural landscape and environment, comprising the people and spirit beings which belong to their country, kinship system and the Yolngu Matha language . It is connected to Yolngu Law and underpinned by ceremony, in song, dance, visual art and stories. Pair sticks, sometimes called clapsticks ( bilma or bimla by some traditional groups), establish
5920-401: Was Galarrwuy Yunupingu . He was Mandawuy's older brother, a Yolngu clan leader and sometimes a member of Yothu Yindi on bilma and guitar. Galarrwuy had been named Australian of the Year in 1978 for his work for Aboriginal communities and Mandawuy was Australian of the Year for 1992 for his work with Yothu Yindi. In December 2012, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) inducted
6000-726: Was also stage manager on Australian tours and their tour to the New York's World Music festival. Bakamana Yunupingu was a tertiary student studying to become a teacher. He became principal at his own Yirrkala Community School, and touring by Yothu Yindi was restricted to school holidays in the band's early years. In August 1988 they performed in Townsville , Queensland, at the South Pacific Festival of Arts. The next month they represented Australia in Seoul, South Korea at
6080-456: Was facilitated by mastery of multiple languages and dialects of Yolŋu Matha. The linguistic situation is very complicated, given that each of the 30 or so clans also has a named language variety. Dixon (2002) distinguishes the following: Bowern (2011) adds the varieties in parentheses as distinct languages. The consonant inventory is basically the same across Yolŋu varieties, although some varieties show minor differences. Yolŋu languages have
6160-902: Was found guilty of "committing a dangerous act causing death" and in June 2002 he was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment at Berrimah Jail , Darwin . Gavin is the son of Galarrwuy and nephew of Mandawuy. In May 2001 the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) , as part of its 75th-anniversary celebrations, named "Treaty" as one of the Top 30 Australian songs of all time. In 2003 Yothu Yindi toured through Northern Territory schools with Mandawuy Yunupingu, yidaki players Gapanbulu Yunupingu and Nicky Yunupingu, and Kellaway using songs, storytelling and open discussions to inspire and encourage some of Australia's most vulnerable young people to attend school and stay healthy. The Yothu Yindi Foundation in May 2007 established
6240-530: Was released in September 1991. Mandawuy Yunupingu took leave of absence from his duties as principal to tour and promote the single and album. Other singles from the album were a re-released " Djäpana (Sunset Dreaming) " which peaked at No. 13 in 1992 and " Tribal Voice " which peaked at number 51. At the 1992 ARIA Awards Yothu Yindi won awards for ARIA Award for Best Cover Art for Tribal Voice by Louise Beach and Mushroom Art; ARIA Award for Engineer of
6320-493: Was replaced by Colin Simpson on guitar, they added Ben Hakalitz (ex- Not Drowning Waving ) on drums and Baruka Tau-Matagu on keyboards. Gurrumul Yunupingu had left by 1995 to live full-time on Elcho Island , he later formed Saltwater Band to record three albums, and in 2008 released his self-titled solo album . Yothu Yindi's fourth album Birrkuta ( birrkuta means wild honey) was released in August 1996. " I Am Australian "
6400-463: Was too late," he said. At the ARIA Music Awards of 2012 , Yothu Yindi were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame , with Peter Garrett (then a former member of Midnight Oil ) and Paul Kelly introducing the group. ARIA Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Australia and New Zealand, Denis Handlin said "On behalf of the ARIA Board it is with great honour that we induct Yothu Yindi into
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