The didgeridoo, a long wooden flute, is perhaps the oldest musical instrument on earth. It is usually found and played in the Arnhem Land, in Northern Australia. This particular didgeridoo is made of wood, probably from piped eucalyptus branches.
Each didgeridoo is created in a similar process. The limbs and trunks of a tree are naturally hallowed out by termites, cut to an average length of 1.3 meters, and cleaned out with a stick or hot coals. The wood is stripped from the outside and painted. This particular "didge" is painted black with red and white motifs. These designs are characteristic of Aboriginal art. To smooth the end of the mouthpiece, beeswax is often used.
In traditional tribal groups, this instrument is only played by men. The didgeridoo was, and is still sometimes, used as part of an initiation to their tribe. One example of a tribe that uses this custom is the Yoingu.
The word "didgeridoo" is originally a Euro-Australian word, probably not based on anything more profound than the sounds made by the instrument. The didgeridoo traditionally is called ayidaki, although spellings and names of this instrument tend to change from region to region.
One of the unique aspects about a didgeridoo is the way that it's played. Both lips are put together to produce a buzzing sound as a vocal sound is made in the throat. Continuous sound is accomplished by circular breathing; that is, by breathing in and out simultaneously through the mouth and the nose.
Learn More: Didgeridoo (1997.03.0032)
