Didgeridoos, or didjeridus, are the best known Aboriginal musical instrument, but more than just for playing they are also works of art, being elaborately painted or engraved. AboriginalArtTreasures supplies instruments that are meant to satisfy both desires. We sell only items made by Aboriginal artists & craftsmen, not just something made for the tourist trade. Originally they were made from branches that had naturally been hollowed out by termites, & the best ones today still are. Didgeridoo originated with one tribe near the Northern Territory/Western Australia border, where they have sacred, spiritual meaning. From there they spread out across Ausralia where they were used more for entertainment purposes than religious reasons. In the area they are native too, it is considered unlawful for a woman to play (& sometimes even touch) a didge. In most parts of Eastern Australia this law is still known & respected by local aborigines. In some inland parts of Australia this law is not observed today & I have not been able to discover with (total accuracy) whether in previous times it was. While many similaries exist (& existed) between the tribes of our people, there are (were) also bigger differences in beliefs than is often appreciated. (I would advise women visiting Australia not to attempt to play a didge unless they are invited too as some of our people do find it offensive. Incidently the law was for health reasons.) Clapping Sticks are a musical instrument used by tribes all over Australia including Tasmania. These as well as Digging sticks are works of art, besides as being used in everyday life. Bullroarer, clapping & digging sticks as well as boomerangs have been used for their sounds. More
All our Didgeridoos come with bonus beeswax & instructions on using your didge. Shipping will be added to totla according to your address. We supply different sizes. The larger ones are the best for playing; smaller ones can also be played, especially by beginners. Many people like to have a variety of sizes & shapes. Each didge is different. All the artwork is beautiful & if that is your main purpose, a smaller didge will save you on postage - though a big ones look great in a corner as well. It is very traditional for a didgeridoos to have a curve or two. (My 100+ year old speciman has a few!) Didges with unusual shapes are particularly valuable, especially if they have a good tone. The serious collector will have several different ones. Our didgeridoos are carefully packed & shipped.
E l a b o r a t e l y P a i n t e d D i d g e r i d o o s
This is a truly beautiful instrument. The artwork & engraving are magnificent, (the entire didge is covered in paintings) enlarging the photos will help, but neither photo does this art justice. The Didge has been burnt & painted by the artist who is of the Wiradjuri People & lives on the Murry River in the south-west of N.S.W. The paintings are drawn from the artist's Ancestor Dreamings which have been handed down. This one is about the Rainbow Serpent (probably the most important ancestral spirit in N.S.W.) - which is one reason it is so colourful. It has a nice little bend in it which adds to its appeal. At 29in (74cm) long it's creator thinks that it is suitable for a beginner or a professional player.. An ideal instrument for the first-time buyer. The painting on this brand new didgeridoo will be admired & treasured for many, many years.
This Didgeridoo is unusual because of it's design & also because of the wood it is make from. It was made in the Northern Territory prior to 1970. It measures 95cm in length and is carved of soft wood. This contributes to its pleasant playing tone. This didge is a lot more 'tribal' than most you see today. Engraving & burning patterns into a didjeridu was the traditional way to really pretty them up. Acyrlic paint didn't exist in our culture! Orche colours were used, but not like we see today. All living cultures evolve, so our people have adopted new materials as they have become available as we have in the past. An incised didge like this is rare today - & will only increase in value in the future.
If you're after a proper playing instrument, it's hard to go past this one. As the close-up shows this didge is made from a branch hollowed out by white ants. It is traditional in every sense of the word with nice incised detailed engravings covering the length. Also it has never had varnish or polish applied; again making it truly authentic. At 150cm (over 5'8") & weighing 3kg. it is truly a didgeridoo & not just a toy. It has a lovely sound; and is a good combination of length, size, weight & ornamentation. If brand new (& obtainable) this didge would sell for over three times this amount.
Other Aborginal Musical Instruments include Bullroarers & Clapping Sticks learn more
This Didge by the same Wiradjuri artist is both elaborately painted & unusual. The engraving & paintings are not quite as complex as the Rainbow Didge, but the whole instrument is made from a twisted branch which gives it an extremely attractive double curve. The wood itself has lovely grains & the paintings tell the dreaming stories of A Turtle (Warramba), and Two small fish (Guya). It is 24 1/2inches long with painted ends, a waxed mouth-piece for easier playing. It's length along with its width has gives this didgeridoo a pitch of about D# making it a high.
