Djilirrma Wunungmurra - Gumatj clan design
The Yidaki (also known as the didgeridoo outside Arnhem Land) is a musical instrument traditionally played by the Yolngu throughout N.E. Arnhem Land. It is played in conjunction with the Bilma (clapsticks), one or more singers and on many occasions we have dancers. We mainly use the Yidaki during ceremonies. On other occasions we play it for fun and relaxation.
Yolngu history and philosophy has been recorded in an oral tradition and the Yidaki plays an important role in the retelling of our oral history. The Manikay (song-poetry) that takes place during ceremonies concentrates on song cycles of creation ancestors and animal totems that relate to the particular clans who are performing in the ceremony. The land, trees, animals and where they come from are sung. The Yidaki is part of this process. Each song has a different tune and different beat. Each clan has its own songs relating to their land. Bark painting and carving retell the traditional mythology of yolngu culture and is intrinsically connected to the manikay.
The Yolngu world has two moieties, these are Yirritja and Dhuwa. All the land and its inhabitants are either Dhuwa or Yirritja. Back in creation times, ancestors for both the Dhuwa and Yirritja moieties moved around and created the land and its inhabitants, giving names and leaving behind all the knowledge necessary for the people. One of these things was the Yidaki. The Yirritja moiety has stories of how the Yidaki called Dhadalal was blown at Dhupuma and Balambala and is linked to Birany- Birany (Caledon bay). In this particular area the creator ancestor (Ganbulapula) is from four clans, they are Gumatj, Lamami, Gupapuyngu and Warramiri. Also included are the other clans such as Dhalwangu, Manggalili, Madarrpa, Wangurri, Luyalanmirri, Ritharrngu and both the salt and freshwater Gumatj, this is the way we co-operate and make decisions and the way our law stands. The Dhuwa side of the Yidaki story involves the sound echo drifting across to Rocky Point (Yarrapay) to where those Dhuwa spirits called Dhanbul (also Nyedil) performed their ceremonies.
"Do-ooo-o-rp", that's how it sounded as it drifted across to Rocky Point and then to the mouth of the Giddy river. They signaled, by the sound of Yidaki, to other Dhuwa spirits who were performing. These spirits were Dhuwa; as they danced with tall spear grass held up vertically from their forehead (you can still see them dancing in the Dhuwa ceremonies) only the sound of the Yidaki echoed; signalling back and forth.
The Yidaki of N.E. Arnhemiand are found in the open stringybork (Eucalyptus Tetradonta) forests. All the trees that look the right size and shape are tapped with an axe to hear if the termites, that eat out the insides of these trees, have eaten out enough to give it a good sound. When one is found it is cut down, the bark peeled off, the termites and their nests knocked out and then it is trimmed down to the makers specifications. Each tree is different and each Yidaki will have its own unique sound. Once the mouth piece of the instrument has been trimmed the instrument is ready to play. Decorations painted onto the Yidaki range from plain patterns to complex clan designs. Sometimes a rim of beeswax is added to the playing end to make a better seal between the lips.
You will find that you start to run out of breath after a short while, so, if you think you are ready here is an explanation of some circular breathing techniques which will allow you to play for as long as you like without stopping (after plenty of practice). One technique is to practise blowing without using your lungs, only your tongue and cheeks and the air in your mouth cavity; as you push the air out mechanically, try and take a quick short breath in through your nose. What you are aiming for is having a continues stream of air running through the yldaki. Another technique is to use a straw in a glass of water. Blow air through the straw into the water; if you try and take a breath in through your nose while you are doing this you will notice that your tongue blocks of the back of your throat. With your tongue in this position try and use it to push the air left in your mouth out through the straw (you can use your cheeks as well). While your pushing the air out is when you need to take in a short breath. Once you've managed to get used to this try what you have learnt with the yidaki. While you are playing you need to keep your lungs topped up with air.
Three things need to happen simultaneously; stop blowing with your lungs, start pushing the air out of your mouth cavity mechanically with your tongue and cheeks and take a quick short breath through your nose, then resume blowing again. Practising this requires plenty of concentration. If you need some inspiration have a listen to recordings by the Yothu Yindi band.
Printed at Yirrkala Literature Production Centre 1995
Used with the kind permission of the Yirrkala Action Committee 1999