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 from Spain |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Creo que la cultura aborigen hay que salvaguardarla y con este tipo de comercio lo que se hace es destruirla. |
| Anonymous |
I disagree with imports |
Lower quality with imports |
| Andrew from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It devalues the status and the privilege of being an aboriginal also it cheapens the art and craftsmanship of the yidaki and takes away money that should go where it is rightly deserved. |
| Anonymous |
I disagree with imports |
Importing works and selling them cheap is disrespectful to everyone. First to the person who created it. They are paid cheap or not paid at all. 2nd to the tourist who is vulnerable to a lie although they should know better. 3rd to the seller for disrespecting a humans right and thinking only of wealth. |
| Bob from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think that the Aboriginal people should reap the benefits of the worlds interest in their culture not some Chinese manufacturing company. Not to mention it floods the market with low quality products forcing the craftsmen who create genuine items to sell them at less than their actual value. |
| Bradley from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I strongly disagree with imports of aboriginal arts and crafts is a huge disrespect to the culture. |
| Brian from Canada |
I strongly disagree with imports |
We see the same thing in Canada. People think they are buying "Native" art pieces and supporting locals but often are buying cheap ripoffs. This is stealing from both the local artists and lying to the buyer. |
| Brittany from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I realize that this happens and it is just plain wrong. It is wrong to the Aboriginal people and tourists alike. I think it's misleading to tourists. Even though it may be cheaper for the tourists it takes away from the true meaning and beauty of Aboriginal art and culture. The culture on the whole is reduced to some cheap import and not something that has value and meaning. The people making these imports don't know what goes into the paintings the craftsmanship the story about WHY they are making such things. People will in the long-run not see and appreciate the culture for what it is and it could lead to cultural extinction. The Aboriginal culture is a beautiful one and I don't want it to be even more endangered than it already is. Also in the current troubled economies it takes away from the opportunities where Aboriginal people can earn money. I realize Aboriginal art is expensive. Anything that is of good quality or where it takes a great deal of time to craft will cost them a pretty penny but it's worth it. Tourists may not want to spend what these pieces of art are worth and if that is the case then maybe they weren't meant to own Aboriginal art in the first place. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The commoditization of a whole culture is cynical and cruel. It cheapens the history and culture of Australia and is symptomatic of the "globalization" of the world. When cheap imitations are made in China and sold as "genuine" it robs both the original culture of the artifact and the collector or prospective player. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Imports touches on the subject of language mind and culture for Australia as a people who have unique character and a link to the past that is genuine. Imports creates in the mind of someone else who is not australian by ethnicity the idea that the aborigines have faired no better in the 200+ years since Cook left and died in Hawaii than the american indians have in the reservation lands this does not discount the Stolen Generation which ended 1930a I would hope that the treasure and the eco-mindedness needed so badly continue instead of farming harmful bamboo teak or other woods cheaply but no where near as original as they signify. |
| Cody from USA |
I disagree with imports |
It's all about what when and how they import them. But without them you keep your country's heritage better. |
| Dan from USA |
I disagree with imports |
Because people shouldn't be duped like that if they think they are getting real aboriginal crafts then let them actually get them |
| Anonymous |
I disagree with imports |
It's unfair for a people that have already been fucked over enough. |
| Darren from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Aboriginal Australians have a unique and truly beautiful culture that must be shared with the world but only by Aboriginal Australians. If we allow these Chinese knock offs then we run the risk of losing this culture or at best having it watered down and commercialised by greedy corporations with no credit to the people who truly belong to this great land. |
| Dave Moore from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I can't even put into words how much I despise when people steal another cultures most sacred art forms to sell for profits and greed I feel that making and selling low quality items is just cheapening the greatness of such wonderfully spiritual things whether its a didgeridoo or any other sacred items. the only silver lining about the whole thing is that people can get and learn to play this wonderful instrument. I'm still not sure if that is good thing or not. I have never spoken to an aborigine to ask him about how he feels about it I think that the only people that can have a real opinion on the subject is someone whose culture is being raped in the name of profits. |
| David from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
A country should be proud of culture and heritage as well as being self sufficient from other countries when able. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Well if it's not original it should not be claimed to be original. |
| Deana from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
When I want to purchase an Aboriginal piece of art or seek their craftsmanship - authenticity is of utmost importance. |
| Dehan from USA |
I disagree with imports |
It's not aboriginal art.. I have no prob with them cashing in on the sale of art or the likes but to try to pawn it as aboriginal is not right. |
| Devorah Sugarman from Canada |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I believe that by importing cheap replicas of aboriginal art and crafts people are stealing a creative spirit from a very old culture just for monetary gain. Not only that they are undercutting the Aboriginal artists who make traditional art works and replacing it with cheap imitations. The imitations are also produced in countries that exploit cheap labor. |
| Drew Grimes from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
They aren't really from that culture and are knock-offs of the beauty of real Aborigine art. |
| Earl Tharp from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The cheap imports amount to cultural theft and deception. |
| Edward Olson from USA |
I disagree with imports |
If it doesn't come from Australia then how is it original and authentic is it? There is no way a copy or imitation can convey the same feeling as the real thing. |
| Enrico from Italy |
I strongly disagree with imports |
All form of native art must be produced by local people |
| Flemming from Denmark |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I believe every nation and it's original inhabitants artists and all own the right to their craft and art. |
| Gareth from United Kingdom |
I disagree with imports |
Although it is FAR preferable to only have original authentic aboriginal crafts if the available quantity is too low or their price too high this will discourage the average person from buying authentic pieces. This will lead to a stifling of interest in real aboriginal art. If I could afford a traditional termite didge I would buy one. I can't afford it and therefore have no option but a cheaper (and inferior) indonesian bamboo one. |
| Gary Kendrick from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Aboriginal arts are truly only made by native people. These arts are made with knowledge techniques skills and spirit that only native peoples can have. |
| Graham from New Zealand |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The cultural aspects of natural art and music should come from the true tribal origins NOT imported for a buck or two. |
| Grayson Turner from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The Aboriginal People have already been taken advantage of enough. Plus no one wants fake artifacts or art unless they know it isn't legitimate. |
| Greg Thorn from United Kingdom |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Well for a start there fake!!! aborigines have not made the didj or any other art or craft to make money for them selfs E.G didjes are musical aids paintings are memories of there life.the import of foreign matter ruins the image of what I see as an aboriginal life as for the artists who create didjes and canvasses etc for a way of living the import of cheap shoddy chinese replicas can make aboriginal artists who depend on the earning and sale of there work decrease. I support aboriginal rights lifestyle land tenure and lore....i am australian I was born there but in my eyes its there country there life style there world....why does a foreign country have to copy it and make life difficult for them!!!! oh I get frustrated when people ask me this question....in a nutshell its "unofficial copyright". should be made illegal!!!! |
| Anonymous from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It is an Insult to the tourists and more importantly to the culture of Australia. |
| Henry from USA |
I disagree with imports |
The aboriginal culture is obviously dwindling in size; they need all the support they can get to preserve one of the Earth's oldest human cultures. |
| Anonymous from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
If the goods are sourced from individuals of Aboriginal descent then: i) it is a means of keeping a traditional art alive; ii) it provides a source of income for someone with a skill but no trade or profession; iii) it is a means of engendering pride in an individual. |
| Anonymous from Hungary |
I disagree with imports |
It's a kind of fraud to sell cheap Chinese import to people in the favour of making profit. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I disagree with imports |
Because you desire people to see the real thing a part of history..... |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think if its sold as genuine Aboriginal art it should be genuine |
| Jeremy from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Well I never agree with pure and simple Greed.. And it seems more important that people paying for original art should get art made by the aboriginals. |
| Jeremy from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I believe that the importing of foreign crafted didjes to be sold as "classic aboriginal art is an act of blasphemy. NOt only does it take away business from the culture that invented the market it is also misleading to the buyer who might be under the impression that there supporting aboriginal art and history. I see it as cultural larceny. |
| Anonymous from France |
I disagree with imports |
I think that making money by copying aboriginal art is like a crime like a rape of culture. It's why I'm not really against the fact of selling false didgeridoos but I can't understand that people lie and say that they are true. |
| Jim from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It is unfair to the owners of the cultural heritage |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Imports in general are good for economies; However when such imports are unauthentic or claiming to other than what they are I don't disagree with this practice. Imported 'didges' are not really didges. |
| John Mathieu from USA |
I disagree with imports |
The imports are have no historical and cultural meaning and are inferior to the true Aboriginal art form |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I fell that the people of Australia should receive the benefit from their own creations-not cheap knock offs for the masses |
| Anonymous from Canada |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I don't agree with china or indonesia slave labour. Aboriginals should be the only people to make true aboriginal art and therefore should benefit the most from profit made from the selling of such artifacts. imports give no profit to the aboriginals and use false claims to sell there products. |
| Jonathan from United Kingdom |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Such a rich culture within the country should be utilised rather than comparatively meaningless imports. |
| Josh from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Culture Is very important!!! Importing cheap copied arts and crafts is commercializing and destroys the originality and gratitude of having one of a kind art. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Duh. If one is selling aboriginal crafts they should be made by aboriginals. Selling imports is tantamount to fraud and at least false advertising. |
| Kathy from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
As a consumer I want to purchase items which are indicative of native craftsmanship. I am also sympathetic to the position of native peoples in regard to fair trade/royalty issues. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
If it is not made by Aboriginal people it is not Aboriginal art. |
| Kevin from USA |
I disagree with imports |
Importation extracts authenticity. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Importing artificial art sharply lowers the value and originality of the genuine articles. |
| Laura from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Living in a tourist community myself I find it appalling that work is imported that is not genuine! Only original works should be sold at a higher price and the artists should get the money and the credit! |
| Levi from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The importing of artwork claimed to be genuine is nothing better than thievery. It is stealing profits from true aboriginal artists and craftsmen. This forces honest people to compete side by side with dishonest peddlers who are solely concerned with profit margins. |
| Liz from USA |
I don't care |
I have never been to Australia and their social issues do not affect me. |
| Loren from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It misleads people to thinking they are getting tribal art when they are not and cheats the people from what should be their retail market. |
| Lou from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
These imported Arts and crafts are made for the purpose of making money and deceiving people that don't know what they are buying. There is no respect for the genuine art and artists that produce their art to pass on Aboriginal culture and express thousands of years of living as one with the land and the Universe physically and spiritually. Sacred knowledge that can only benefit the rest of the world.To pollute this Knowledge is surely very wrong. |
| Mac from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Importing copied artifacts from countries that manufacture them for cheap labor ruins the culture and strips the identity of the peoples that have been actually making the real deal for thousands of years and this practice also supports the manufacture of false goods. keeping tradition alive is the most important thing in my book and false goods manufactured overseas is the one of worst things anyone can do to the people that retain the lifestyle that they have had for many generations. |
| Matthew from USA |
I disagree with imports |
I feel its wrong to take advantage of a market such as this from a culture that's not getting as much attention in the world today. Its like a school bully Or even stealing and selling back what they stole. Its not very humanitarian. |
| Michael from USA |
I disagree with imports |
The imports are just to make money for someone else other than the aboriginal folks... they should sell their wares in their own country and give the locals a break |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The fact that the Aboriginal people have nothing to do with these products is insulting to these people. They were the ones who had the culture and they should be the ones to sell that what makes them unique in this world. Lying to tourists about authentic native art has been going on forever it seems but I still don't think it's right. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think importing knock offs will diminish the true historical value of the originals. Fakes are only produced to make a buck not to promote history. In the cases of fraud where the knock offs are passed off as originals greed can be the only factor. Who would agree that this is a good thing? |
| Mike from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think the aboriginal people are entitled to part/all profits gained because of their cultural contributions |
| Anonymous |
I disagree with imports |
It should be from the true aborigines so they can preserve their culture and make a living. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Original art is only Aboriginal ART! In Australia there are many aboriginal artists who would gladly sell their works and got income for themselves. Australia should cherish this original and rare art. World is full of cheap copies about everything already this is outrageous thinking all this history.. |
| Mylene from Chile |
I disagree with imports |
Porque las copias mal hechas de las artes no sólo destruyen la energía natural con la que fueron hechas también destruyen la imagen del aborigen y sus raíces. Sólo se deben exportar a centros especiales lo auténtico con su historia la que no se debe perder. |
| Myroslav Makashov from USA |
I disagree with imports |
My opinion is based on my Australia's friend experience. |
| Ossi from Finland |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Selling imported copycraft as a genuine piece of art...how could I possibly agree with that kind of practice? If they are sold as what they are cheap copies I wouldn't mind - if someone wants to pay for that it's fine by me. |
| Anonymous |
I disagree with imports |
Genuine aboriginal art and crafts must be manufactured by people who live in Australia and strongly know what is local art |
| Paul from United Kingdom |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It cheapens the genuine artifacts puts artists out of pocket and gives tourists a diluted and false impression of true native Australian culture. |
| Pedro from Portugal |
I disagree with imports |
Should be they to import the original aboriginal art |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think that to make assembly -line overseas copies of beautiful Aboriginal arts would not only cheapen the overall value of Aboriginal art but also detract from their great significance! |
| Peter from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Value is diminished by mass-producing cheap copies. |
| Peter from USA |
I disagree with imports |
Authenticity is important. It takes away from their livelihood... |
| Ray from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think the didge is an instrument that is totally australian aboriginal and the importation of cheap copies is foul. I also like the idea of aboriginal people being able to produce didges as a cultural item and not some massed produced gismo. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Well if they're imported they aren't aboriginal art. Aboriginal art preserves the history and culture of native people so by polluting this historical culture true native culture is being destroyed. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think they should be able to import but cannot use any of the Aboriginal names or art work on their product. Their culture needs to be preserved. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Cheap imitations are a rip-off and are not the real thing. |
| Rudi from Belgium |
I disagree with imports |
Only AUSI dIDJI |
| Sam from United Kingdom |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I think it steals from a countries culture. |
| Sean Jackson from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It's compromising the true indigenous culture for the sake of commercial gain. |
| Anonymous from USA |
I disagree with imports |
It is taking away from the locals and their art. |
| Shannon Svensson from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I support world trade and fare trade of useful and unique items and appose imports designed to replace local products. Underselling local craftsmen with cheap imports erodes the local economy and discourages traditional arts crafts and products. Cheap imports also rob the consumer of authentic local goods. I am very unhappy when I want to give a souvenir gift from where I live and all my best choices are stamped with "made in china". I support the preservation of culture by honoring their local food art and handicrafts. |
| Anonymous from Australia |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Imports are fine only if they are sold as copies not as genuine. This practice is is a huge dishonour and rip off to those people who make the the real thing. |
| Steve from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It is cultural genocide |
| Thomas from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Cultural art should be made/sold by people of that culture thusly it supports the continuation of their culture. |
| Tim from USA |
I strongly disagree with imports |
Aboriginal arts/crafts should be made by native artisans not in sweatshops. |
| Tim Reinhartz from Austria |
I strongly disagree with imports |
The origin spirit of the Australian Natives must not be copied for various reasons. The energy doesn't flow through the copies the tribes loose their privacy rights on their arts and it drifts of from spirit and healing to commerce and unconsciousness. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
If its fake --its not real |
| Tommy from USA |
I disagree with imports |
That is aboriginal culture! and it is not being respected! |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
It's dishonest & cheats real aboriginal artists. |
| Anonymous |
I strongly disagree with imports |
I believe that by importing or exporting copies from non-indigenous people as original art aboriginal culture is being stolen from and cheapened. This is even more true when those perpetrating this practice are doing nothing to "pay back" those that they steal these ideas from. |
| Vincent from Canada |
I disagree with imports |
I disagree with imports of false Aboriginal art and craft being sold as authentic this kind of misinformation is a crime. |
| Volney from USA |
I disagree with imports |
If the aborigines are benefiting from selling tid bits of their culture then maybe there should not be imports. but at the same time the preservation of their culture is a sacred thing- therefore people should not simply be able to attain a valued piece of their culture. I know that the didgeridoo I'm buying from here was hand crafted and sacred and when I play it I will be helping others not only unwind and loosen up with the help of a high vibration- but I'm connecting our cultures by being a conduit through which a universal feeling to be felt. I think most tourists would be happy with a bamboo didge or a fake artifact because to them it is nothing and no aborigine should put their careful work into something that becomes just a dull ornament when sold to a regular tourist. and the people who look hard enough to find something of true value are the people who recognize the value |
