Alternate names: didgeridoo, didjeridu, mago, yirdaki
Yidaki is the local name for the type of didgeridoo used by the Yolŋu people. The yidaki is a natural wooden trumpet made from a tree trunk, one to two metres in length, that's been hollowed out by termites. The trunk is trimmed and decorated and, in modern instruments, a rim of beeswax is often added to the mouthpiece end to provide a good air-tight seal.
The yidaki is played by vibrating the lips to produce a drone (essentially blowing a ‘raspberry’), a similar technique to that used on brass instruments. But instead of using keys or slides to change pitch, the yidaki plays one consistent note. The musicality of the instrument comes from the complex alterations of the timbre of this note, achieved by manipulating the lips, tongue, throat and mouth shape.
Another distinctive aspect of playing instruments in the didgeridoo family is the use of circular breathing — breathing in through the nose while simultaneously blowing air out of the mouth. This enables musicians to play uninterrupted for very long periods of time.
The yidaki is generally played by males and used along with bilma (clap-sticks) to accompany dancers.
The name didgeridoo has a disputed origin, but most scholars agree it does not come from any Aboriginal language. One theory suggests it comes from Irish Gaelic. There is a recent move to revive the older tribal names such as yidaki and mago, particularly when referring to specific regional variations of the instrument.
Yidaki players featured in The Pure Drop:
