Western Arnhem Land Didgeridoos

Western Arnhem Land is a large and culturally diverse area. Some of the tribes of this region are the Maung, Iwaidja, Gunwinggu, Gunbalang, Nakara, Gunavidji, Gundangbon, and Gundjehmi, among others.

The didgeridoo is commonly known as mago in Western Arnhem Land. Mago are typically shorter than - and acoustically different to - the yidaki of north-east Arnhem Land. In terms of sound characteristics, mago are somewhat richer and more full-bodied than yidaki. Also, the overtone note is not a feature of Western Arnhem Land playing and most mago do not play this note easily.

The following are other Indigenous names for the didgeridoo in Western Arnhem Land: wuna-bobanja (Nakara); jarluppu, littungh and morlu (Rembarrnga); giyanggiyang (large didgeridoo in Rembarrnga language); and morlu (Dalabon).

The first didgeridoos seen and collected by Westerners are from the Western Arnhem Land region. Most of these are Bambusa arnhemica specimens collected from the Coburg Peninsular area where the first European settlements were established in the 1800s.

The greatest proponent of the mago was a Western Arnhem Land didgeridoo player by the name of David Bl*n*s* (name obscured out of respect due to his recent death). Bl*n*s* travelled the world displaying his virtuoso style and won accolades for his skill and charm. He also performed with Rolf Harris in the UK and this had a large effect on popularising the didgeridoo among non-Indigenous audiences.