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Did you know that almost all didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold without clearly stating this fact?

Did you know that many didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold using Aboriginal cultural images or are even sold by deceiving the customer into believing they were made by Aboriginal people?

On this page you can read the answers our visitors gave to this question as part of our yearly visitor surveys, where you can win great prizes.
(we post comments only if permission was given)

Over the years we have asked our visitors many different questions and any of the below topics contain hundreds of comments from people all over the world. Enjoy reading what other people have to say on those subjects:-). If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

GENERAL DIDGERIDOO ISSUES

DIDGERIDOO AUTHENTICITY

DIDJSHOP COMMENTS

TRADITIONAL DIDGERIDOO PLAYING

EFFECTS OF DIDGERIDOO PLAYING & LISTENING

ABORIGINAL ISSUES

If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

We update comments monthly...

Name and Country

Did you know ... sold without stating that fact?

Did you know ... sold by deceiving customers?

What do you think or feel about these issue that almost all didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold without clearly stating this fact?
What do you think or feel about these issue that many didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold using Aboriginal cultural images or are even sold by deceiving the customer into believing they were made by Aboriginal people?

Anonymous from Italy

Yes

No

As above the use of parts of culture (images representations) haven't to be stolen (also because these things are important for Aboriginal people and Aboriginal culture).

Ana Prego from Spain

Yes

No

This images have some special meaning for the aboriginal people and all we should respect that they are not decorating paintings only. they should be some kind of trade mark may be.

Andrew from Australia

No

No

Like all products didges should be honestly represented.

Angie from USA

No

No

Those who sell the items should be forced to inform the buyer as to the products origin. Buyers are being mislead by the images and feel that they have an Aboriginal didj.

Angie from Australia

No

No

Again I am disgusted that non Aboriginal people would forge the art simply for monetary gain.

Anthony Gataveckas from Canada

No

No

An artist should reveal if the artwork is his or her own and where the artwork came from your own design or copy of aboriginal art.

Arnee Macdowell from Australia

Yes

No

I think there really needs to be some sort of national recognition for real Aboriginal artwork because its really hard for people buying Aboriginal art to know if its real or not.

Arno from Netherlands

Yes

No

Should be a law against it...as with any copy products

Anonymous from USA

Yes

No

Not good

Anonymous from Switzerland

Yes

No

Should be stopped immediately

Anonymous

Yes

No

Disgusted and saddened that people lie.

Bert from Netherlands

Yes

No

It should be prohibited. People should be aware that these cultural images are sacred and that you can't mess around with them. Didgeridoos made by people other than Aboriginal people should be boycotted.

Bill from USA

Yes

No

Same as above answer

Brice from USA

Yes

No

Pisses me off.

Candace from USA

No

No

This is very unfortunate. deception have become all to common in the world today. those people do not want to open the eyes of other to the misfortunes of others but want to make money from it.

Anonymous

Yes

No

It does not surprise me. Many people try to take advantage of others

Chris Glover from United Kingdom

Yes

No

An issue that needs to addressed but its unfortunate. these sellers need to be boycotted

Claire from United Kingdom

No

No

As above.

Cliff from USA

Yes

No

These people are misleading and misrepresenting the aboriginal people

Clinton from Malta

Yes

No

Lying people that like only money

Conor from Ireland

No

No

A bit cheated

Danny from USA

Yes

No

Again I think that the Aboriginal people deserve much more.

Dave from United Kingdom

No

No

What do you think I feel? Credit must go where credit is due and advertising must not be misleading. It sounds as though some government legislation is required along with stricter control and enforcement

David Carmichael from USA

Yes

No

Efforts need to be made to establish legal requirements for labeling and fair trade with indigenous communities and artists

David from USA

Yes

No

Shyte. Plainly.

Deby from Canada

No

No

I think this is fraud. I believe that there are artists who may want to learn how to make a didgeridoo but the didgeridoo is part of a specific culture and should be treated with respect dignity and integrity. The Aboriginal people should have control over royalties and how the didgeridoo is produced and sold as an instrument and/or piece of art/culture. I feel there should be laws to protect this art form.

Dominic from Italy

Yes

No

There isn't enough being done to control the manufacture and export of these items. I would never support it.

Don Morris from USA

No

No

The people who do this should be prosecuted for misleading the public and fraud.

Eric Boucher from Canada

Yes

No

It think there's too much fraud around and all customers should look out for proper buying ethics.

Eric Tomberg from USA

No

No

Aren't there copyright laws to protect these images?

Anonymous

Yes

No

Selling cheap instruments from mass production and calling them "original Australian didges" (often the case on ebay) is abuse of the culture of the Aboriginal people.

Gail from Canada

Yes

No

Same as above

Anonymous from USA

No

No

I think the aboriginal symbols are somewhat understandable for things like souvenir didgeridoos but to claim an authentic didgeridoo when it is indeed not is just ridiculous.

Anonymous from Finland

No

No

I don't think there's as much deceit as you make it sound. Most people realize that most products are mass produced nowadays. At least anyone who has played other instruments knows that handmade instruments are expensive and they are always advertised as hand-made. The same goes with who has made the instrument. No one thinks that a random guitar is a Fender unless specifically stated so; similarly no one thinks that a random didgeridoo is Aboriginal made. I'm from Northern Europe and this seems like common sense to me. Might be that Americans don't have as much common sense.

Hans from USA

Yes

No

I think it stinks and something should be done about I t

Imanol Arnoso from Spain

No

No

It's shameful

Jamian Mateja from USA

Yes

No

That is completely wrong; it is lying.

Anonymous

Yes

No

Sad

Jason Devries from USA

Yes

No

Well this wouldn't surprise me. There are a lot of greedy snakes all about $$$$. There are also people here in the USA who are not indian that create "Native" american indian art and sell it.

Jim from USA

No

No

I feel that the Aboriginal people should get a return on any that they make or paint and they should be given every opportunity to create and sell their own work. If some sellers are defrauding people by saying that some instruments are made by Aboriginal people when they are not then they should be prosecuted.

Joachim Kiefer from Germany

Yes

No

You should make a big concert with aboriginal people

Joe Kiefer from Germany

Yes

No

I feel sad about this - far away from the true nature of this instrument and the culture

John Smith from United Kingdom

Yes

No

As above - they should have some sort of protection. The way aborigines are treated in Australia is deplorable

Anonymous from USA

No

No

In my opinion this is the same as false advertising or an out and out lie. It should be disclosed if it is not a "true aboriginal" creation.

Jon Thompson from USA

Yes

No

Isn't this kind of exploitation almost accepted by the masses today? This is how callous we've become from constant marketing crap. I HATE it!!!

Anonymous from USA

Yes

No

I think the aboriginal people should be more recognized and respected. not taking advantage of by saying "made by aboriginal people" unless its truly made by them

Jussi from Finland

No

No

I think it's not OK to deceive the customers into believing the didgeridoos were made by Aboriginal people if they weren't.

Anonymous

No

No

I feel that this is too bad because if something isn't authentic I'd prefer to be notified of that before the purchase.

Keith from United Kingdom

Yes

No

Same answer as the above question.

Keith from Australia

No

No

I believe this is not the right thing for anyone to do but people also make fake Rolex watches and some people still buy them. It is not something for laws or rules but a matter of conscience. I am also an artist and it is a bit hurtful when other people imitate or copy me but I always go back to the belief that my creativity is genuine and theirs is not.

Kenneth from USA

Yes

No

I think that its fraud and some for of control should be put on it if its not made by Aboriginal people it should be marked as such

Kern from United Kingdom

Yes

No

Its appalling. I too was deceived. The (multi choice) statements below are a bit thin on choice. I never "don't care" but often "don't know". Also I think that there should be some trade mark associated with culturally sound production of Aboriginal wares that give the purchaser the choice to buy an original so that the creator gets due reward. Saying other producers should give a royalty would be impossible much the same way as trying to royalty an English longbow or a swiss cuckoo clock. People could however make a choice to buy originals if the info was present and correct. I certainly would.

Anonymous from South Africa

Yes

No

The cultural heritage of aboriginal people needs to be protected

Ladron De Guevara from Mexico

Yes

No

Que lo es correcto ya ellos ni I quiera tienen el conocimiento de ello

Lars Clark from USA

No

No

I do not like to be deceived or tricked.

Ligia from Puerto Rico

Yes

No

I think that should exist means to stop this by creating an identity that controls the origin of the product and certify the original quality.

Linda Birk from USA

Yes

No

If it weren't for the Aboriginal people nobody would know anything about a didgeridoo or about the dot on dot artwork. They should be given credit by others if they're styles are used.

Anonymous

No

No

I think that these people should be stopped.

Anonymous

No

No

I'll still watch discovery channel to pick up on some of the aboriginals culture.

Luciano Dibacco from Canada

No

No

I think that is very bad and disgusting that this is happening but unfortunately it is true because I see that happening with a lot of products being made today and it is usually too late when it is found out about it.

Anonymous from Israel

No

No

I think it is injustice for the Aboriginal people and deceiving for us

Marc Larivière from Canada

No

No

The human is sometimes bad in his action

Marcel Pielert from Germany

Yes

No

I don't like this

Marco Zambelli from Italy

No

No

I think that aboriginal spirit and soul are well known and appreciated all around the world and maybe some people are not interested at the real cultural aspects but only at business!

Martin from Canada

No

No

I don't think didges need or should be marked that they are not made buy aboriginals but instead mark the ones that are. As far as using tactics to deceive customers is dishonest unfair and disrespectful to aboriginal people

Anonymous from USA

No

No

That's just plain misrepresentation. Perhaps you could approach some of the distributors about it.

Mat Lacombe from Canada

No

No

False advertisement at a high cost is never in my best interest

Matt from USA

Yes

No

It's an outrageous abuse of a culture.

Matteo from Italy

Yes

No

Is a shit...

Anonymous

No

No

I like that because I like the design.

Michael from Canada

No

No

Modern 'civilized' man is a hypocrite! We indulge in the 'Native' culture (almost like a fetish) but pay little or no real respect to the Native peoples themselves. I work between two 'Native Reserves' here on Vancouver Island so have had a 'closer' view of the situation.

Anonymous

Yes

No

Human greed has no limit. If it's profitable someone is bound to take advantage of it. In this case it is taking advantage of the culture's unique creation.

Michael from USA

No

No

Again modern society is more interested in profit at any level without regard for truth. We need to preserve the contribution of the Aboriginal people to music.

Mike from Netherlands

Yes

No

I think anybody can make or sell the instrument. But don't sell a violin as a Stradivarius when it's just a violin. Same for Yidakis / didgeridoos. Anyone looking for the real thing will buy it anyway.

Anonymous from Australia

No

No

Once again true commercialism for a consumerist world- "talk about taking the spiritual side from it"

Anonymous

No

No

If it were true then It's really immoral acts.

Nicholas from USA

No

No

I think it is wrong for people to say that they are made from Aboriginals when they aren't lying is lying is lying and shouldn't be allowed.. If I'm not mistaken its false advertisement and that is a sueable offence

Anonymous from USA

No

No

This is one manifestation of the much broader issues of racism and consumer deception prevalent in today's dehumanised and materialistic society. I hope that one day we will move beyond this selfish and arrogant behavior as a species and learn to value all people and their unique contributions to society. Supporting Aboriginal people and their cultural legacy is one way we can start doing this today.

Nigel from United Kingdom

Yes

No

I think it is abhorrent.

Anonymous from Italy

Yes

No

I'm really sad culture is something to tell others not to stole!

Patrick from Netherlands

Yes

No

I think it is not a good thing!!!!

Anonymous

Yes

No

I do not disagree with the selling instruments crafted by people outside of that instruments native culture. I do however strongly disagree with those particular instruments being sold under false pretenses i.e. wrongfully claiming authenticity. I also believe that art is an expression. If someone fancies a particular form of art then this person should feel welcome to utilize this in their expression again as long as it is by any false claim.

Anonymous from USA

No

No

I'm not surprised. Didjes origin should be clearly marked.

Paula from USA

Yes

No

I find it reprehensible and it should be made criminal after all it is theft and fraud. This is why the didj I own is a beautiful original and came from DidjShop.

Phillip from USA

Yes

No

It is not right

Reuben from New Zealand

No

No

It is very sad id like to buy a genuine didge with the money going back to the aboriginal people

Anonymous from United Kingdom

Yes

No

I think that is very unfair as deceiving anyone about the true facts of what you are selling is terrible and in this case where the Aboriginal people should be respected there are obviously not!

Richard Wade from USA

Yes

No

It is wrong.

Anonymous from USA

Yes

No

Again not only unethical but immoral. This practice should be illegal. The precedent set forth by the Native American Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 should be used to enact similar laws for the Aboriginal peoples.

Anonymous

Yes

No

I strongly believe that didgeridoo makers that are non Aboriginal should respect the Aboriginal people and art work and not use aboriginal images. Aboriginal cultural images should only be used/applied by Aboriginal people.

Roger Pressnell from USA

No

No

It seems like unfair business ethics

Ron from USA

No

No

Those sellers should be prosecuted for fraud and any proceeds given to the Aboriginal People

Sam from Australia

No

No

Well to deceive someone into thinking they're buying the real deal while going behind their back is terrible. it's cheating every party the enthusiast and the Aboriginal people who must compete with these cheaper imitations.

Samantha from Australia

Yes

No

I think it's dreadful and as I feel it should be mandatory to mark all products with where they are made from what products (grown where) and who by.

Sarah from Canada

Yes

No

As an art maker I have been influenced by the artwork and history of several indigenous cultures including Aborigines. However I feel it's important that such images should not be reproduced without permission. If an artist uses a style associated with a specific culture and belief system they must educate themselves well and know the history. It's quite revolting when a predominant culture takes the artwork of a culture it has oppressed and uses it to make a few bucks. As for non-Aboriginal players: if they are making money off their performance they should have permission from the Aboriginal people. If they simply want to play to enjoy it's healing benefit sound or to enhance knowledge of the culture I don't see any problem with that.

Scott Kellsey from Canada

Yes

No

Same as above with the exception that it is twice as worse if you are knowingly deceiving someone into thinking they are supporting aboriginal made and designed didges

Sergio A. from Colombia

No

No

Well this is just baaad... its a matter of justice to the customer and to the aboriginal people...

Sheila from Brazil

No

No

It's a really bad thing! We must to respect the Aboriginal people and his culture.

Anonymous from Italy

Yes

No

Criminal

Steve Shydo from USA

No

No

People should be somehow made aware of these issues through media info.

Anonymous from Canada

No

No

I feel it is an unjust claim and we as a people should know about this forgery.

Tom from USA

No

No

Some sort of symbol or temporary sign would be useful to indicate the true origin of an instrument. I also think it would be supremely accomplish such a standardization. People will get around any rule for money.

Toni Maria from USA

Yes

No

The same as above. Exploitation of aboriginal and native people's culture is an ugly fact of life perpetrated by white culture colonialism and greed.

Vince Malone from Australia

Yes

No

It is deceptive and dishonest. It also limits the opportunities of Aboriginal communities to compete in a market that is rightfully theirs.

Anonymous

No

No

Selling items under false pretenses should not be done.

Anonymous from USA

No

No

False advertising

Yacine from France

Yes

No

I think that nobody can say that every didgeridoo sold must be made by an aboriginal. only people who want a real didgeridoo (or Yidaki) have to search for a real one made as it must be For example I have 2 didgeridoos and no one of them is made by an aboriginal because in France didgeridoos a quite expensive and I can't buy a didgeridoo from australia without having tested it! Moreover I don't have enough money to afford it!

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Check out other selections of our visitors' comments:

GENERAL DIDGERIDOO ISSUES

DIDGERIDOO AUTHENTICITY

DIDJSHOP COMMENTS

TRADITIONAL DIDGERIDOO PLAYING

EFFECTS OF DIDGERIDOO PLAYING & LISTENING

ABORIGINAL ISSUES

 

If you have any question you would like us to ask our visitors, please let us know.

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