Djalu Gurruwiwi on CNN
CNN did an interesting piece on the status of the didgeridoo in modern Australia. The piece features photos of Djalu Gurruwiwi (website, bio). Djalu is the most recognized name in yirdaki (the traditional name for the didgeridoo) construction and its promotion to the non-Aboriginal community. Guan Lin of iDIDJ Australia and Valerie Dhamarrandji, Djalu’s cousin, offer some insightful comments about the didgeridoo’s role as seen from within and outside of Australia.
Guan said that his organization, iDIDJ Australia, has managed to set up a guild which can certify the authenticity of didgeridoos for the customer. But it is a long road.
“We are making headway, but in some ways we might be preaching to the converted. Only 1 percent of the audience out there are interested in learning more and appreciating it on a different level and 99 percent just buy them as tourist keepsakes.”…
Valerie Dhamarrandji explains that preserving the tradition and culture of the didgeridoo is something that also requires a lot of attention within the tribes and the responsibility is passed down through generations.
Dhamarrandji’s cousin, renowned didgeridoo artist Djalu Gurruwiwi, is the current caretaker of the tradition.
“Every time he goes on tour he explains to the audience that it was given to him by his father and when he blows it there is power in it; it is part of his indigenous culture,” she said.
An interesting followup to the CNN story; on iDIDJ Australia, I noticed links to some very cool photos of Djalu from the Eye Design Photo Team.
Technorati tags: [Djalu] [Aboriginal culture] [yirdaki] [Australia] [Guan Lin] [iDIDJ]