Name and Country |
Do you talk with your friends and audience about how a didj is made? |
What do you tell people about how a didj is made? |
Adrian from Australia |
Sometimes |
From ant/termite eaten wood and then cut to size cleaned up and painted/sanded/smoothed. |
Alan Bush from USA |
Sometimes |
Made by hand from termite eaten trees |
Alex from Portugal |
Sometimes |
Wood |
Amanda Hall from Australia |
Sometimes |
It is made in my country Gamilaroi we use it to trade with other tribes. |
Andrew Hodge from Canada |
Always |
I tell people it is found in the bush hollowed out by termites. When it is found a bit of cleaning out is required and it is ready to play. |
Andrew Murray from Australia |
Only if asked |
I tell them real didjes are made from eucalyptus logs hollowed out by termites and then cleaned and sometimes decorated for playing |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Mother nature loves to get her groove on so she provides us with many ways to please her |
Anonymous from USA |
Never |
I also don't know much. |
Angelique from Netherlands |
Always |
That the hole is made by termites they eat the inside of the branch or tree |
Ann from Canada |
Sometimes |
Tree branches that have been hollowed out by termites. |
Anonymous from USA |
Sometimes |
That it is a eucalyptus tree that has been hollowed out by termites |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Made of wood. |
Barbara from USA |
Always |
That the didj is made and benefits aboriginal people that make them by traditional methods. with respect for the environment and the culture. |
Bart Devos from Belgium |
Rarely |
That the didge is made of particular tree branches selected by a well experienced aborigine who looks for a branch that has been properly hollowed by termites and has a specific shape and length. |
Anonymous from Belgium |
Only if asked |
I tell them it's a branch of a tree which is hollowed out by termites. |
Anonymous |
Mostly |
Aboriginals suchen durch klopfen an Eucalyptusbäumen nach Teilen die durch die Termiten ausgehölt wurden. |
Bill Woodward from Canada |
Sometimes |
Termites hollow out a living tree usually Eucalyptus from the inside out. Aborigines tap the trees to find a good specimen then cut it and dress it. A beeswax mouth piece completes the job. |
Anonymous from USA |
Mostly |
That the type of didge comes in many different types of wood and the type of didge I have it was hollowed out by termites. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
It is hand carved from wood. |
Brian from Canada |
Rarely |
Termites ate the centre out of a piece of wood. |
Bruce from Australia |
Only if asked |
From selected small trees that have been hollowed out by termites; cleaned out internally bark stripped smoothed carved burnt painted for decoration or clear finished mouth piece formed from beeswax. |
Anonymous from Australia |
Rarely |
That it's made by echidnas with their incredibly long tongues licking after termites deeper and deeper into fallen branches. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Termites hollowing out different types of wood; preparing shaping and painting to form cultural instrument |
Chavis Three-sticks from USA |
Sometimes |
I tell them it's made from a termite hollowed log. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Termite or naturally hollow - cut down to tune mouthpiece out of beeswax. |
Chris Glover from United Kingdom |
Mostly |
A didj is from a branch of the eucalyptus tree eaten hollow by termites; Didjes are selected and cut to the desired length bark stripped away; a mouthpiece is made with moulded bee's wax. Then the didj is then decorated with the lizard or snake |
Cliff from USA |
Always |
That termites hollow the wood & then the wood is selected by |
Anonymous |
Never |
Nothing |
Anonymous |
Always |
Fine natural material: wood hollowed by termites |
Damien from Belgium |
Mostly |
That it's eaten out by termites |
Anonymous |
Never |
Hollowed out wood |
Dan from USA |
Mostly |
I will tell them that "authentic" Aboriginal didges are made from termite hollowed trunks of various types of young eucalyptus trees. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
How it is really made by nature and hollowed by termites. |
Dave from United Kingdom |
Rarely |
I tell about hollow trees termites and traditional craft techniques. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
It is made of wood. |
Dave from Canada |
Always |
I tell them about the white ants/termites that hollow the eucalypt tree from the inside. I also explain how it is harvested by peeling a bit of bark off and tapping to hear if it has a hollow sound. |
David Clark from USA |
Always |
Authentic Aboriginal didgeridoos are produced in traditionally-oriented communities in Northern Australia and are usually made from hardwoods especially the various eucalyptus species that are endemic to the region. Sometimes a native bamboo or pandanus is used. Generally the main trunk of the tree is harvested though a substantial branch may be used instead. Aboriginal didgeridoo craftsmen spend considerable time in the challenging search for a tree that has been hollowed out--by termites--to just the right degree. If the hollow is too big or too small it will make a poor quality instrument. When a suitable tree is found and cut down the segment of trunk or branch that will be made into a didgeridoo is cut out. The bark is taken off the ends trimmed and some shaping of the exterior then results in a finished instrument. This instrument may be painted or left undecorated. A rim of beeswax may be applied to the mouthpiece end. Traditional instruments made by Aboriginal craftsmen in Arnhem Land are sometimes fitted with a 'sugarbag' wax mouthpiece. This comes from wild bees and is black in appearance with a distinctive aroma. |
Anonymous from USA |
Sometimes |
Termites hollow a log and then the maker sands and treats it |
Anonymous |
Mostly |
Mostly but it depends on the mood of them. I tell them that the best ones are from eucalyptus hollowed out by termites. Outer bark is taken off and the inside is cleaned. Then the outside is sanded down (sorry for my english. To rub). The holes are filled and sealed. Finally bee wax is added for place the mouth and play. The didj can be painted if wanted. I also say that aborigines experts locate potential Didjes on trees where they originally come from. They can be made of other wood and other materials. But wood is best. Not just for the sound but for the profound symbology it has. |
David from Australia |
Always |
Tree branch eaten hollow by termites soaked in water for 6 months dried sealed and painted. |
Davide from Italy |
Sometimes |
It's a natural object mostly hand-made and decorated |
Anonymous |
Always |
Same answer as above. |
Donald Dawson from Canada |
Always |
That nature makes it and wants it to be played to revel and release the inner nature within us all |
Drew from USA |
Always |
REAL Didgeridoos are made when termites hallow a piece eucalyptus and the Aboriginal people then find the pieces and take off the bark trim the ends and shape the exterior. The whole process takes a true craftsman. |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Can be made from PVC pipe |
Ed Obermeyer from USA |
Always |
I show them how to make them from PVC. |
Elias from Spain |
Always |
It is a tree eucalyptus that is naturally hollowed in the inside by termites. |
Anonymous |
Always |
The whole story. I tell how during flood season the termites are driven into the trees; how they eat the soft wood on the inside of the tree but leave the shell of the tree in tact. Then someone cuts down the tree cleans it up and for the most part it is ready to play. |
Eric from USA |
Sometimes |
That it is made from trees that are hollowed out by termites. |
Francis from France |
Always |
Some types of termites live some types of eucalyptus. By finger-snaping the trunk one can know how hollow it is and choose the right tree to cut and create the future didj. Then lots of process to finish it off (cutting adjusting decoration varnish mouthpiece etc) |
Frank Eisenblätter from Belgium |
Only if asked |
I like to tell people that it is the only instrument that grows on trees and entirely organic since it is made out of wood & beeswax. And that at least the Australian didge is very natural because the basic condition is to find an eucalyptus branch hollowed by termites/white ants. To add to the myth I sometimes tell people how an Australian Aborigine after having "found" the "right" tree with a hollow branch will throw a bit of spider web on a bee so it can't fly anymore and than follow it to its hive to get the wax to make a mouthpiece. As I said its all very natural... |
Gary Biron from USA |
Always |
What kind of tree it comes from How they put termite in it to hollow it out and how they put the art on the pieces. |
Gary Price from Australia |
Mostly |
That I didn't know how many different types of didj there are and the best is usually termite hollowed ones |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Out of wood. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
'Real' didj made from termite hollowed tree stumps. A lot of makers half a stump then glue together after carving out. |
Graeme from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
Process from selection through to finishing/ different types |
Greg Seward from USA |
Always |
The standard method where white ants (termites) hollow out a eucalyptus limb selection and harvesting of the limb stripping the bark cleaning out the interior sanding the surface and eventual painting it with motifs and designs important to the artist or in my case the individual who commissioned it. |
Ian from Netherlands |
Always |
It Should be hollowed out by Termites and then Cut Shaped and sometimes painted by Aboriginal people |
Ian from Canada |
Mostly |
Made from termite-hollowed trees then harvested and decorated as individual instrument. |
Anonymous from Hong Kong |
Mostly |
How they are selected from trees from areas often sacred to the Aboriginals trees whose inner core has been eaten by termites making them hollow and how these expert craftsmen are able to 'tune' them to a specific key. Although I know little about the symbology depicted on them I also inform listeners of that aspect. |
J. Kaufman from USA |
Always |
Eucalyptus or other woods are hollowed by termites and found by the grace of the good hunter and spiritual man. |
Jake from USA |
Mostly |
The original form of the instrument is a termite hollowed eucalyptus tree. Aboriginal harvesters of such a tree wait until it reaches a desired length then cut down the tree and prepare the wood to be used as an instrument by sometimes debarking sanding and adding a beeswax mouthpiece to the top to make a form fitting seal for the players mouth. |
Jamie from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
That it is eaten out by termites |
Janawirri Yiparrka from Australia |
Mostly |
Tha truth |
Jeannie from USA |
Sometimes |
From a termite hollowed tree |
Jeff from USA |
Always |
I tell them how true didges are made from eucalyptus limbs which have been hollowed out by termites but I also make didges out of local bamboo and they find it very interesting to watch the shaping breaking of the inner sections and burning to cure. |
Jeff Nelson from USA |
Mostly |
I tell them about the natural termite hollowed sticks and how you can shape them for tune and decorate them in many different fashions. |
Jeffrey from USA |
Sometimes |
I tell them there are two ways to make one. One is to have one that is pre hollowed out by termites the other is to hollow it out yourself. |
Jenna Luksetich from USA |
Always |
When I am playing my traditionally made didgeridoo I tell them that the insides were carved out by termites. |
Jeremy Erb from USA |
Mostly |
I tell them how mine was made(the non traditional method) and also about the termite method |
Jesse from USA |
Sometimes |
I was told it was made of eucalyptus branches that were hollowed out by termites. |
Jessica Tenorio from Mexico |
Mostly |
The didgeridoo is the result of the slow past of the time the termites engrave this they drill a hole in an eucalyptus log so slow they give it the perfect form for the different but all magic notes |
Jessica Wilson from Canada |
Never |
I get my Didj from fabric land. Other didj are made from wood and I've seen them have bees wax on the tips. |
Jim Cote from USA |
Mostly |
Termites eat the delicious center of the eucalyptus tree... then humans touch it up... one of the only nature made instruments |
Jim from USA |
Rarely |
Didj's are made from the termite hollowed eucalyptus tree wood. |
John from USA |
Always |
Made from nature by the attack of termites on a tree that hollow it out. then the tree is cut down and manufactured into the instrument |
John from USA |
Sometimes |
Depending on where it's made and with what material. Eucalyptus/termites most of the rest man. |
John from USA |
Mostly |
All I know that is that the real ones are hollowed out by bugs. mine is just made of bamboo |
John from United Kingdom |
Rarely |
Its a more natural thing than they realise and to check out online just how it is made as it blow them away |
Jon from USA |
Mostly |
Carved out of eucalyptus trees from termites. |
Anonymous from Malta |
Mostly |
They are made naturally by termites witch eat the inside of the eucalyptus tree |
Jordan from USA |
Rarely |
As much as I Know mine current didj wasn't made in australia |
Jose Luis from Spain |
Mostly |
They are branches of eucalyptus tress hollowed out by termites. The branch is cut and a mouthpiece made of beeswax is added. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
What's on your site... made by Aboriginals hollowed out by termites...etc. |
Julian from United Kingdom |
Only if asked |
That it is a natural piece of eucalyptus wood where termites have lived and bored the hole naturally harvested by the local people ensuring continuity and quality. |
Julien from Canada |
Always |
See previous answer. |
Kathy from USA |
Always |
Aboriginal people harvesting of the natural resource used to make didjeridus by the traditional owners of the land |
Kent from USA |
Sometimes |
Explain how termites start and man finishes |
Kerry Hufford from USA |
Mostly |
Indigenous craftsmen find the trees in the wild and carefully select the best ones to use as didjes. Then they work their magic and craft a beautiful tool/instrument for people's enjoyment and meditation. |
Kev English from United Kingdom |
Always |
From the termites to the artist. |
Klaus Burger from Germany |
Mostly |
Aunts eat the inner wood |
Kyle Phillips from USA |
Always |
I'm a wood worker so if I could use termites to help make canoes and kayaks... awesome! |
Leah from United Kingdom |
Sometimes |
Branches hollowed by termites and then finished by makers. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
I tell them the traditional way done by termites |
Luis Figueira from Portugal |
Always |
I talk about the ants the trees and the process of these two elements. the preparation and cleaning of the didj and finally the paintings. |
Malcolm from Australia |
Always |
All of mine are natural white ant and I explain how the marks occur in the tube etc and how it all starts. |
Marie-theres from Switzerland |
Sometimes |
If they ask: it is made by termites. They hollow the heart of the wood. The man who wants a didge looks for a good tree already "treated" by the termites |
Anonymous from USA |
Never |
I don't know that much about aboriginal didgeridoo making. I do tell people that a cheap didj can be made out of PVC pipe and beeswax. |
Anonymous from Canada |
Rarely |
Many of them are eaten from the inside by termites and the outside is hand carved. |
Mark from USA |
Always |
I talk about real didjes being made of wood hollowed out by termites (then I mention that mine sadly is only PVC) |
Anonymous from United Kingdom |
Mostly |
Hollowed by termites; collected and worked on by native Australian people. |
Marshall Sykes from USA |
Sometimes |
"Mine is made from pvc but authentic Didjes ar made mostly from Eucalyptus and other woods native to Australia where termites hollow out large sections of tree trunks and branches that are used to make them but other materials can be used: such as pvc fibreglass and even clay." |
Matt Benson-parry from Australia |
Sometimes |
I tell them about the different techniques such as traditional or 2 halves stuck together. |
Matt from USA |
Always |
Time and craftsmanship... or termites |
Michael from Isle Of Man |
Sometimes |
That you can burn it use termites find wood which has rotten inside or even use plastic piping. |
Michael from USA |
Mostly |
Selected harvest of hollowed trunks preparation of mouth-piece exterior finish after "tuning" and sometimes painting. |
Anonymous from Germany |
Sometimes |
Mein Didge ist aus Deutschem Holz Ahorn.. |
Anonymous |
Never |
Not sure how they are made. |
Michael Reid from USA |
Sometimes |
It is from hollowed out eucalyptus trees that were devoured by termites. |
Mike Walker from USA |
Always |
I have actually made one myself I showed my girlfriends family how to make one though I did not have the supplies to make it out of eucalyptus I made a pvc didj. I told them about how the different lengths determine the key it is in. I'm a little discouraged though cause the only way I can get my friends to play with me is if they are high. |
Moreno from Italy |
Always |
The didjeridu or Didgeridoo it is constituted from a log of young eucalyptus dug from termites that suck the organic substances of the marrow. The geographic origin is in Australia of the north Arnhem Lands in the Kimberley and in the zones of the gulf of Carpentaria. Is the most ancient instrument to breath and first of all is a ritual object much beloved to the Australian aboriginal people. The name "didjeridu" or "Didgeridoo" is a given onomatopoeic English term. Blowing to its inside with a particular technique of vibration of the lips and respiration a series of harmonic is developed that are diffused from the opposite extremity. The technique of the put circular respiration is unique to point from the aboriginals. Today it comes inserted in many musical kinds but also (and here it finds again part of its origin) in music therapy and sitting of meditation and relaxation. |
Nigel from United Kingdom |
Always |
That the didj is a natural tube hollowed out by termites from a gum tree and then crafted by Aborigines. |
Olivier Labrevoir from France |
Always |
I explain that didge are made in eucalyptus wood eating by termites. |
Owen from Australia |
Always |
The full story |
Anonymous |
Only if asked |
Trees are originally hollowed out by termites |
Paula Van Rijn from Netherlands |
Mostly |
I tell that it's a hollow branch and that it's eaten inside by termites. |
Peggy Adams from USA |
Always |
Termites hollow out cavities in wood and the one I play is then finished off as you see it. |
Penny Jones from USA |
Always |
I say with the permission of mother nature. Concentration of one's mental power's. The ability of one's artistic quality's. |
Peter from USA |
Always |
Oops... got to excited... lol... see the above comments... but yes... I think it helps people connect to the energy by knowing the deep history of the tools I use... I also talk about the history of reiki. |
Phoenix from USA |
Only if asked |
Hollowed by termites. |
Quinn from USA |
Mostly |
I talk about how termites hollow out eucalyptus trees. |
Ralph Ray from USA |
Always |
I tell them about the termites eating the inside of the eucalyptus branch and then the Aborigines tribesmen harvest them and hand paint them creating a musical instrument and a work of art at the same time. |
Randy from USA |
Always |
I explain how didj's are hollowed by termites eating the core of small growing eucalyptus trees. They are then cut de-barked/smoothed and then often decorated and sealed or protected |
Ray Higgins from Australia |
Mostly |
The didge is a tree that has been hollowed out over many years by termites and is selected by aboriginal people by tapping the tree and by observation of the sound it makes.it is then cut and cleaned out.the bark is taken off and some shaping done. |
Anonymous from USA |
Always |
It is a eucalyptus branch hollowed out by termites. |
Reid Ostlund from USA |
Never |
Nothing |
Rene from Netherlands |
Mostly |
Aboriginals go into the bush. Knock on the wood and the process after to make a didge. Further I warn them about the non original didges like teak and bamboo |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
See prior answer |
Robbie from USA |
Always |
Hand picked by aboriginals and cut above the roots so the tree does not die then it is cleaned out and carved on the outside depending on how much bark they want off. it is then tuned and coated with multiple layers of varnish and added mouthpiece usually beeswax |
Robert Heller from USA |
Sometimes |
That some are carved by hand and that some are made naturally by termites hollowing out a tree. |
Robin Dewan from Finland |
Mostly |
I mention that euc didjes are hollowed out by termites and then finished by hand. Other types of split-wood constructions. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
It is made by termites eating out the centre of a particular wood either naturally or by having the desired branch placed near the termite mound to induce the termites to eat the part they can. This particular type of wood is suitable because the termites only eat the inside not the outside part. |
Rui from Portugal |
Always |
Depending on the materials if it is carved by termites or hand carved etc. |
Anonymous from USA |
Mostly |
The full story as I know it that the best sound comes from termite hollowed eucalyptus and gum trees. |
Ryan from USA |
Mostly |
Termites will chew a hollow branch from the inside out. Aborigines search for miles and miles until they find a suitable tree. They cut down only the section they need out of respect for the environment. It is then smoothed out and the cracks and holes filled in. They are often painted with tribal designs or left plain. |
Ryan from USA |
Sometimes |
The best are made from wood that was hollowed out by termites and then finished to use as an instrument |
Selcuk from Canada |
Only if asked |
They are either formed by hallowed out wood via termites or manually carved. |
Sergio from Colombia |
Always |
I explain how its hollowed naturally by termites and then the aborigines select the branches and cut them and give them finish and painting and stuff |
Anonymous |
Always |
How the wood is hollowed and how the didj is painted |
Stephen from USA |
Mostly |
I describe the different techniques from the termite ones to the commercially made ones |
Anonymous from Australia |
Only if asked |
That my instructor has the real authentic termite made didj for sale and he collects blanks and has classes on how to make your own. |
Steven Williams from USA |
Mostly |
That a termite hollowed eucalyptus tree is selected (preferably already fallen) cut to basic size. The bark is than stripped sometimes some bark left on at the bell end. The center is cleaned out and sometimes the bell end is chiseled out to improve the sound. A natural mouthpiece can be shaped or cut clean and a beeswax mouthpiece can be formed. Lastly the didj can be left natural or artwork can be painted or burned on. |
Suzen Vizzoni from USA |
Always |
An authentic didj is made by Aboriginal people from termite hollowed out eucalyptus trees. There are other didjes produced and manufactured by other methods and even some made from plastic but the authentic ones have the best sound and healing properties. |
Anonymous |
Always |
The inside of the wood is hollowed out by termites. |
Symon Browne from Australia |
Mostly |
There hollowed out by ants collected and cleared out bark removed or not and decorated. |
Anonymous from Hungary |
Always |
I tell them about the termites and how "simple" is. the nature give us the didge you just have to cut the tree and that's all. So you if play it you are close to the nature. |
Thomas from Norway |
Only if asked |
How it is made - eucalyptus - termites ready:-) |
Tiago Oliveira from Portugal |
Sometimes |
That the real digs are the consequence of a termite diner |
Timur from Germany |
Mostly |
1.It's important not to buy from people who only smell money. Those people cut down hundreds of trees and timbers unnecessary. 2.The original yidaki is made by an aboriginal craftsman who always goes the traditional way. 3.and then there are bamboo hemp or even normal wood didjes who are not termite hollowed.But these instruments are also good to play. |
Tom Lange from USA |
Sometimes |
Larvae of white and termites eating their way to the middle of the euc trees and upwards - taken down when the tree is just right - outside is minimally shaped and painted with pigments from earth |
Tomas from USA |
Always |
They look surprised. |
Anonymous |
Sometimes |
Good ones are hand made. |
Tyler from USA |
Sometimes |
Traditionally they are made out of eucalyptus branches that were hollowed by termites |
Anonymous from Czech Republic |
Always |
Termites made the hole in original ones we must cut it out. |
William from USA |
Mostly |
It is a naturally hollowed log by termites and crafted by indigenous people. |
Wolfgang Gaspar from Germany |
Always |
Well... I explain the natural way how a didge is made by termites and then finished by man...but in my town is no store were to buy a original Didgeridoo so I helped myself by making one with PVC tubes... a bell end made with a brass flower pot and a mouthpiece cut from a piece of cherry wood then I have a 20 cm tube piece to enlarge my Didge to get an deeper sound.For this reason I show this way how to get a Didge... because this kind of Didge is better than anything we can get in my area. |
