North-east Arnhem Land Didgeridoos

North-east Arnhem Land is the home of the Yolngu people. The Aboriginal communities of Yirrkala, Gapuwiyak and Galiwin'ku are the main settlements that service this region. Dozens of smaller satellite communities called outstations or homelands have been established away from the main settlements since the 1970s, in what was called the Homeland Movement.

In north-east Arnhem Land the didgeridoo, commonly known as the yidaki, finds it greatest artistic expression. In this region, the rhythms, techniques and compositions endemic to the people are of outstanding musical interest. Characteristic features in the playing styles of north-east Arnhem Land include sharp tongued accents, syncopated overtone rhythms, and variable time metering.

The presence of secret non-public versions of the didgeridoo in north-east Arnhem Land - in addition to the didgeridoo's incorporation into the cosmological beliefs of the Yolngu people - suggests a likely 'birthplace' for the instrument. Indeed, there are Yolngu accounts of the origin of the didgeridoo set in north-east Arnhem Land.

Didgeridoos from north-east Arnhem Land are instruments of the highest cultural integrity. The use of the didgeridoo in this part of Australia continues as an unbroken tradition since time immemorial. In recent times, the Yothu Yindi band and Djalu Gurruwiwi - Mr Didgeridoo himself - has done much to popularise the yidaki around the world.

Yidaki are commonly made in north-east Arnhem Land from gadayka - Eucalyptus tetradonta or Stringybark, gungurru - Eucalyptus miniata or Woolybutt, and badawili - Eucalyptus feruginea or Rusty Bloodwood.