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"Australia is importing large quantities of cheap copied Aboriginal arts and crafts from countries like Indonesia, India and China to sell to tourists (often as genuine Aboriginal art). Do you agree or disagree with this practice?"

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Name and Country

Do you agree or disagree with this practice?

Please provide your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with imports of Aboriginal arts and crafts into Australia

Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I would feel cheated if I bought something that I thought was made by Aborigines but really wasn't.
Alex Wollangk from USA I strongly disagree with imports The imported art drives down the price of the true aboriginal pieces and crowds the market making it hard for the real artisans. It also pollutes the market such that people interested in buying these arts and crafts have a harder time identifying the real thing from the knock-offs. The slight advantage to tourists is grossly outweighed by the disadvantage to the true artisans and collectors. Let the tourists stick to postcards and t-shirts if they want cheap memorabilia.
Ali from USA I strongly disagree with imports 1. Probably adds to the abundance of crappily made goods. 2. Takes revenue away from Aboriginals. They could sustain their population selling their own art.
Andres from Spain I disagree with imports I think that aboriginal arts it's the real one and have a own history from many years ago
Andrew Hodge from Canada I strongly disagree with imports Native cultures are a very important and dying part of society all over the world. I believe we should be keeping these cultures strong true and vibrant. Bringing in false art pieces is disgraceful.
Andrew from USA I strongly disagree with imports If it is not genuine it shouldn't be sold as a souvenir!
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports They should be authentic
Andrew Wood from United Kingdom I strongly disagree with imports It is fair to produce artifacts elsewhere in the world but to pass them off as genuine is not fair trade. Indonesia uses virtual slave labour and undercuts fair prices.
Angela from USA I disagree with imports Not if they are copied.
Angela from USA I strongly disagree with imports I disagree because it takes away from the originality and cheapens the heritage of a unique people.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports It wouldn't be as bad if the art was not passed off as genuine.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports I think that people don't like fakes on certain items. I don't want fake Ming Dynasty Pottery or fake American Indian Rugs.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports They should use real Aboriginal arts and crafts.
Anonymous I disagree with imports Aboriginal artists should be able to subsist on an income from their true art and not be faced with competition from pretenders.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports I feel it is wrong to do this. I feel it is much like fraud. Even to the tourists it is still representing something that the item is not.
Ariella from Italy I strongly disagree with imports I'm not agree because arts of a population are a treasure of knowledge that must be property of them.(sorry for my english...)
Ashley from Canada I strongly disagree with imports I believe importing copied arts and crafts from other countries (though it may bring in more money from tourists) is just hurting the Aboriginal people. People will not appreciate the effort and work (as well as the culture) that went into a real piece of art if they can just pick up a cheap knock-off somewhere else.
Ava Giglio from USA I strongly disagree with imports I am Italian but have spent the last two decades defending the rights of Native Americans in the US..Native Peoples cultures MUST BE PRESERVED AT ALL COSTS
Ben from Australia I strongly disagree with imports Ripping of our culture without any recognition to the origins of the intellectual property
Anonymous from Netherlands I strongly disagree with imports It is like buying a dreamcatcher from India or a tabla from China. It's cultural theft it's economical theft. It's imitation. It's dishonest.
Anonymous from United Kingdom I strongly disagree with imports Because some people want to make a lot of money from cheating people
Anonymous I disagree with imports I THINK THEY SHOULD BE AUTHENITIC ABORIGINAL ART
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports It is like buying a Chinese clone of a Ferrari. What's the purpose?
Chris from USA I disagree with imports If the items are labeled as authentic then that is fraud. The items should at least be labeled as reproductions.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Aboriginal arts is an Australian thing and if people are importing arts in from overseas its not 100% genuine..
Chris from USA I strongly disagree with imports Aboriginal products should be made by Aboriginal people otherwise they are not Aboriginal products.
Christian Hens from Germany I disagree with imports The crafts and arts are historical aboriginal so only aboriginal people should do it
Christian Robert from France I strongly disagree with imports I play the traditional music from the region I live in and therefore I know it is impossible to copy the cultural elements of a community. You have to live within the community and study the culture from inside with the people who master this culture. Fortunately it does not mean that you have to be born within the community. You can be an outsider and study with the right people. This is my case. You just have to go on studying. When I chose to play the didge I knew I would never play like an Aborigine. I just wanted to play that amazing instrument the best way I could and appreciate its mighty sound. I just started last spring so I am a newcomer into the didjing community.
Anonymous I disagree with imports I doesn't sound good.
Christopher from USA I strongly disagree with imports This is dishonest and takes unfair advantage of the native peoples art without supporting them.
Clint from USA I disagree with imports I would think that crafts should belong to the native people
Cristian Bouniot from Chile I disagree with imports It should take more importance to aboriginal arts of Australia
Anonymous from Australia I strongly disagree with imports Greedy ignorant people a fu*king horrible trade like so many alike they don't care that they are robbing people of their livelihood their art their tradition... I wish I could stop this kind of thing but where to start in a world plagued by people chasing the dollar forgotten about spirit and respect.
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports I think Australia would be losing it's cultural heritage by importing cheap copied crafts.
David from USA I disagree with imports They are just trying to make as much money as possible and it in turn takes away from the actual culture which they are trying to "sell". This then exploits the actual Aboriginal tribes and doesn't help them one bit. That is why I like the products on this website because they are the real deal - in my opinion much more valuable and is something to remain in ones family for a very long time.
David from USA I strongly disagree with imports Imports take away money from the local indigenous people and the quality of the manufactured work is poor.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports I think indigenous people should own their own culture and to profit from it with cheap copies is immoral.
Debra from Canada I strongly disagree with imports They are preventing their own people from making a decent living
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Poor quality and it doesn't carry the energy of the ancestral lineage
Derek Rusinek from USA I strongly disagree with imports I believe that they are not only taking business away from Aboriginals but they are producing very poor quality products. Many of these are produced under terrible sweat shop like conditions. Selling these as authentic aboriginal art is terrible. It is a lose-lose situation
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I am an artist. Passing off cheap factory goods as original art is theft and should be illegal.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports These are not true examples of Aboriginal art from Australia.
Anonymous I disagree with imports Unless it is clear it isn't authentic Aboriginal art is seems deceptive
Douglas from USA I strongly disagree with imports If I buy an item even as a souvenir but especially as art or musical instruments I obviously want it to be authentic.
Drew from USA I strongly disagree with imports I think it's wrong to pass something off as something it's not. If it's a fake or copied piece just advertise it that way. Some people just want the art and want to pay less.
Drew Macphee from Canada I strongly disagree with imports It is a sacred and blessed thing to have an identity that brings the energy to other places on this planet. By tainting the art with replicas you steal the soul essence of the originals and you decrease its energy with greed and consumerism.
Duran from Australia I strongly disagree with imports Aboriginal people and there culture should be for them to share with the world and I think its a bit of an insult to there culture and I could on on but that's it 4 now
Ed from United Kingdom I strongly disagree with imports I've seen african artisans markets undercut by crafts imported from elsewhere on the continent (ZImbabwean craftsmen used to supply the whole subsaharan region - even as far away - and culturally unlinked areas as Ethiopia!) It had a detrimental effect on local economies and fed into a patronising concept of 'african' art that was devoid of depth or context.
Eddy Weeks from USA I disagree with imports They are the pioneers of the didge it should be there market
Anonymous from Ireland I strongly disagree with imports I think cashing in on what people have done for years as a cultural thing is just not right
Erik from USA I strongly disagree with imports If it's not from an Aboriginal person it doesn't have the right love. And is another step in the wrong direction of forgetting these beautiful people.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I think it is important that the indigenous people be fairly represented; to me that would include selling their authentic handiwork (and paying a fair price for it).
Francis from USA I strongly disagree with imports The dilution of the arts by importing "knock offs" of the original produces a product with no meaning. They might look like an original but the essence is striped from the art the meaning is lost and the culture is hurt by it. The value of any arts and crafts lies in the people from which it originates. What is the point in buying an English tea set made in China? or a German stein made in India or a didgeridoo made in Indonesia? The essence of any piece of art tool or instrument lie in the people that imagined it and created it.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports If they are advertised as Australian Aboriginal it is fraud and an affront to the integrity of the Australian Aboriginal people.
Frank Lovecchio from USA I strongly disagree with imports I believe that all indigenous arts should be made by native peoples. Not cheap copies from other sources.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I really appreciate copyright and people creativity so import cheap copy like that is not good.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Not original
Geoffrey from Australia I strongly disagree with imports I think it is robbing a culture of their expression.
Anonymous I agree with imports I agree with imports because they give strength to the industry
Greg from USA I disagree with imports It should be up to the culture that started it.
Gregg from USA I disagree with imports I think wherever you are in the world it's important to buy locally if at all possible. This is important when certain segments of your population are very poor and could support themselves.
Gregory from USA I don't care NA
Harry from USA I disagree with imports Everybody loves art
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports If I am going to buy Aboriginal Art I do not want Indonesia Art. I want the real thing.
Herb Cohen from USA I strongly disagree with imports It deprives the Aboriginal artists rightful income and shoddy merchandise misrepresents a culture and history of serious work.
Hugh Deal from USA I disagree with imports Like any cheap import they will cut into the authentic aboriginal didge sales and their livelihood. Also many will be sold as "authentic" Or "Genuine" defrauding people who believe they are hand crafted by Aboriginals.
Hugh from Australia I disagree with imports Support and protect local culture and craftsmen and women.
Irina from Australia I strongly disagree with imports Being authentic is not easy though that is where juice of life is.
Jack from USA I strongly disagree with imports Coping aboriginal work to recreate and sell should be seen as plagiarizing in an essay. They are not the creator or culture of the people that created the art and they should not pass it of as aboriginal work if it is not created by and aboriginal artist.
Jacob Brafford from USA I disagree with imports Because they are taking advantage of beautiful art and instruments of a culture for profit
Jacopo Bianchini from Italy I strongly disagree with imports Because who make cheap copied probably doesn't respect the nature and definitely doesn't respect Aboriginal art
James from USA I strongly disagree with imports Tourists are mostly unaware that these are not originals.
Jay from USA I strongly agree with imports I think it would bring money to the people who make them.
Jeff from USA I disagree with imports The sale of cheap imports makes it more difficult for the native craftspeople to compete in the market.
Jeff from USA I disagree with imports To me it seems like "selling out" just for a profit. We do it here in the USA as well and I don't care for it.
Jennifer from USA I disagree with imports It's unfair because it is dishonest
Jerome Przybylski from USA I strongly disagree with imports Because they are fakes and not real
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports It's important for the aboriginal art to stay genuine for helping these cultural varieties to maintain themselves or even grow.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Importing takes away from the craftsmanship of the original aboriginal artists
Anonymous I disagree with imports They are cheap and not the work of the artists
Joakim Sørmo from Norway I strongly disagree with imports The didgeridoo is the aboriginal instrument. To have chinese copies sold in Australia as tourist art is misleading since they don't get what they pay for. Years ago I bought a didj and it was of bamboo. It sucks:) Of course I learned (make that still learning) how to do the circular breathing but the sound quality is well not like a real didj. I mean that the aboriginal instrument is to be made from aborigines. Else the unique touch is quickly lost and fewer aboriginals can sell their own didjes.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I DONT THINK ANY ONE SHOULD MAKE CHEAP COPIES AND SELLL AS ART
Joe from USA I disagree with imports Native people need to keep their heritage and culture. Importing cheaply made copies of their arts will undermine the survival of that very art form and put the whole culture and their customs at great risk of of becoming extinct.
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports Aboriginal arts and crafts should be made by the aboriginal people in Australia.
John from USA I strongly disagree with imports Destruction of culture.
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports It's not genuine and those that sell it are preying on innocent people.
Anonymous I agree with imports I thing import it's a good way to make cultures a strong tool to promote peace.
Joshua from USA I agree with imports Stupid people buy junk - educate yourself and make a wise purchase
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports It takes away from the originality and the Aus. ways of life
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports It is wrong
Karl from USA I strongly disagree with imports That's dishonest to pawn off fake stuff as the real thing. A rip off.
Keenan from USA I disagree with imports By importing copied Aboriginal arts the vendor is undermining the work and effort of the Aboriginal artists. While importing copies may be necessary to supply a large demand for Aboriginal art efforts should be made to try to sell more authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts while reducing the amount of imported copies. If there is a shortage of authentic Aboriginal works it would seem that imports are a good short term solution. However cheap copies will ultimately deflate the value and demotivate Aboriginal artists to create more authentic and original works.
Ken from USA I strongly disagree with imports Original = original Copy = junk
Anonymous I disagree with imports Importing fakes decreases the market for and the value of authentic Aboriginal arts and crafts.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Cheap foreign labour with no knowledge of history of a people. I (white American ) might as well make Maori artifacts.
Kim from USA I strongly disagree with imports "Fake" goods should not be sold as Aboriginal it is not ethical.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Aboriginal art should be authentic crafted with pride by native Australians whose ancestors created the culture and the associated implements.
Anonymous I disagree with imports This is theft of their culture send it over seas to be made sold for a profit for cheap hurts. This is their way of supporting them selfs and very personal to them. we are lucky they share this with us!
Linda from USA I strongly disagree with imports It cheapens the work of the original artists.
Lorie from USA I disagree with imports Things like cultural art should come from the original people
Anonymous I don't care While I don't necessarily disagree with businesses finding a way to cut back on costs the labeling of these imports as genuine however is problematic. I also wonder how much of these price cuts are transferred to the consumer.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports If not original then the proceeds do not go to the Aborigines as it should and it is also not true "genuine" Aboriginal art
Anonymous I disagree with imports They are not Aboriginal if they are made by someone else.
Anonymous from Australia I strongly disagree with imports It Kills original aboriginal culture!!
Marshall R from USA I disagree with imports Let's be true to the REAL THING...
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports They are Australian products and when you import they are not authentic.
Anonymous I disagree with imports THERE SHOULD ONLY BE ORIGINALS.
Mary from USA I disagree with imports It's not authentic at all.
Anonymous I disagree with imports Truthfulness.
Max from USA I disagree with imports Although it spreads the spirit of their art to those who can't spend much money and even though the original artist gets full credit and can explain the significance/ intent imports will cut out the financial support for the true creators who will become a smaller and smaller group. However I don't believe art should be intentionally overpriced to fund a suffering culture.
Meho from USA I strongly disagree with imports I think it's pretty obvious...it's dishonest.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports I think the importing of "cheap" arts and crafts cheapens the value overall of the unique aboriginal cultures.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports A pure cultural art form (Art Craft music etc) is a treasure.
Michael from USA I strongly disagree with imports The tourists should not be misled into believing that the imports are genuine.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports Undermines the production of quality original and deceives those who want to purchase.
Michael from Canada I disagree with imports Sellers should be honest and not try to pass something off as native to the region if it came from somewhere else.
Michael Rainbow from USA I disagree with imports The reason I would disagree with that is because it is being dishonest. It would be being done only for the sake of making money and it would be disrespectful to the Australian Aboriginals. However on a positive note I can tell the Aboriginals have great respect and love for their art and crafts and the people that buy from those Aboriginals also have respect and appreciation for the special items they are buying and I think that what is most important is the love appreciation and respect that the Aboriginals and the buyers of their arts and crafts feel for themselves and each other. The fact that there are cheap imports available only makes the Aboriginals art and craft that much more special and appreciated by me and I appreciate that businesses like yours are so supportive of the aboriginals and their crafts and their heritage. Thank You
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Takes away from original value
Michelle Simons from USA I don't care Its all good.
Mike from USA I disagree with imports These lame imitation imports significantly diminish the true value of the authentic Aboriginal artwork that is and has been not only a reflection of themselves but their ancestral culture. The cheaper versions and knock-offs only ruin society's potential enthusiasm and respect for the time and effort put into the actual instruments of the native Aboriginal people.
Miles from USA I strongly disagree with imports It is lying to tourists selling fraudulent items not supporting native aboriginals and isn't truly connecting tourists to the culture of the land.
Mitch from USA I strongly disagree with imports Ruining native culture
Monique from Canada I strongly disagree with imports Because they are not genuine and we need to keep the pride of the aboriginal people alive
Anonymous I disagree with imports I think a country should support it's products at home
Nicole from USA I strongly disagree with imports Providing only original works created by the aborigines helps them support themselves helps their self-esteem and insures the art is a genuine investment for the buyer.
Anonymous I don't care No stake in this area. Makes no difference to me.
Oren from Israel I strongly disagree with imports Protect the aboriginal right's
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Degrades and cheapens Aboriginal arts.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports I would only want authentic items from their indigenous homeland not cheap knock-offs.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports They are implying that they are made in Australia which is not true. Therefore it is a deceptive trade practice and fraud.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports It should be authentic
Peter from Germany I strongly disagree with imports Because the aboriginal earn no money for themselves.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports If someone's misrepresenting something as "GENUINE" when it's not then it's wrong
Philip from Australia I strongly disagree with imports Aboriginal crafts are sacred objects and therefore must be treated with great respect.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Outsourcing any products causes more loss than gain to the people of the nation
Ramon from Australia I strongly disagree with imports The aboriginal culture is rich and diverse and is an integral part of our heritage. Why pollute our heritage with cheap tacky product imports when we can celebrate the skill and talent of our forebears by sharing only authentic artifacts arts and crafts!
Raymond from USA I strongly disagree with imports These should be from native Aboriginal peoples.
Regina from USA I disagree with imports Unless you have a process for authenticating the goods I would have to disagree.
Rhonda from USA I strongly disagree with imports It takes away income for the Aboriginal people.
Anonymous I disagree with imports Not the real arts and craft
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports Need to support local artists
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports Not truly authentic and most likely not true art/craftsmanship but mass production or production without the ideals of the culture.
Roger Keeney from USA I disagree with imports As a person with interest in such imitation is not valuable to me.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Hurts 2 of the 3 sides in this matter. Reduces market for native art and hurts beginning collectors market.
Rui from Portugal I strongly disagree with imports Well I believe that the art belongs to his creator so aboriginal art should only be sold by the aboriginal or their helpers
Anonymous from Finland I strongly disagree with imports I'm an artist too and I wouldn't want anyone to sell their art using my name. Also I'd like to get what I'm paying for.
Sarah from USA I disagree with imports That's dishonest.
Shane from USA I disagree with imports I believe the art should be authentic. not reproduced
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports The goods sold to tourists should be authentic indigenous products
Anonymous from USA I disagree with imports I would be okay with imports if they are up front about it being copied. But if they are deceiving people into thinking something is original then I think it is wrong!!
Anonymous from Canada I strongly disagree with imports Should be legitimate items not knock offs takes away from then aboriginal peoples livelihood
Stefano from Italy I strongly disagree with imports I think the Aboriginal culture should be preserved and valued not just as an important heritage of human civilisation but as a concrete way of maintaining and supporting the true original aboriginal lifestyle and livelihood. Cheap and fake imports of arts and crafts don't bring any commercial gains to the Aboriginal people but more damage.
Sten from Canada I disagree with imports To be intolerant to imitation makes one look overbearing though imitation is not often the flattery it is said to be. Those who do not have much access to aboriginal artifacts and culture through the cheaper fake items can begin their journey to understanding and exploring other cultures just as I began my own exploration of the didgeridoo when I purchased a 50$ piece of bamboo that exploded as soon as I learned how to toot. I play awesome now thanks to the teak didges I've used and if it weren't for the gimmicky didges I never would have given playing a second thought if my initial investment was a guaranteed $1 000+ price tag. A few of my noisemakers do come from indonesia but I no longer support the leech tourist stores that hawk whatever they can with no care for #1 tradition and #2 people. When purchasing something special I always make sure that where I am buying from is a fair trade store where the proceeds go to the people who made the item though I understand full heartedly how painful it can be to watch others profit from your passion.
Anonymous I disagree with imports That is cheating people
Stephen from USA I disagree with imports I feel bad for the Aboriginals.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports It makes the arts more accessible to the public but cheapens the product/value and doesn't benefit the Aborigines.
Tanner Saylor from USA I disagree with imports I believe if they're going to sell them as genuine they should actually be genuine.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports The preservation of the aboriginal history and people can be best aided by supporting their heritage by consuming original artwork and products designed specifically from the current indigenous population.
Timur from Germany I strongly disagree with imports I think the aborigines dislike it when someone copies their art. Countries like Indonesia India and china should try to sell their own art and not to copy the aborigines. I think that tourists shouldn't buy these cheap imports. I
Anonymous I disagree with imports I believe culture gifts should benefit their culture of origin whenever possible.
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports Importing imitation of art is equal to piracy. If they keep it up they will finish with aboriginal real art. It is no t only happening in australia everywhere. It's a shame that making money can sometimes be the trigger for destruction.
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports It is fraud plus it takes money away from the actual Aboriginal peoples who the tourists think they are supporting.
Val from USA I strongly disagree with imports It's a rip-off to any customer buying the article denies the Aborigine of the income and makes a mockery of their heritage.
Vince from France I strongly disagree with imports - no respect of the aboriginal traditions - another form of violating native people around the world - no respect of a music from which we should learn - violation of a native nation
Anonymous I strongly disagree with imports They are fake copies not the real deal
Wanda from USA I strongly disagree with imports Its wrong to sell a fake or imitation when the tourists are looking for real items not knonk offs I would gladly pay more for the real thing
Anonymous from USA I strongly disagree with imports It's a sacred art not a commodity.
Wendy from USA I strongly agree with imports I hope that the moneys go to the Aborigines.
Wilder Betancourth from Colombia I disagree with imports Cultural invasion no natural

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GENERAL DIDGERIDOO ISSUES

DIDGERIDOO AUTHENTICITY

DIDJSHOP COMMENTS

TRADITIONAL DIDGERIDOO PLAYING

EFFECTS OF DIDGERIDOO PLAYING & LISTENING

ABORIGINAL ISSUES

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