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Didgeridoo (or didgeridù) is an onomatopoeic
origin word, used by occidental peoples, that
refers to the antique wind instrument of
Australian aborigines. In Australia this
instrument is indicated with at least fifty
different names, according to the various
peoples living in the Country: therefore one
can run through djalupu, djubini, ganbag,
gamalag, maluk, and up to yirago, yiraki,
yidaky... Didgeridoo originated from North
Australian aborigines. There are no reliable
sources stating its exact age, but it could
possibly go back to at least fifteenthousand
years ago. Didgeridoo is classified as a "labial
reed airphone" musical instrument, it has a
light conical hose shape of variable lenght (about a
meter or a meter and a half, but can also reach two meters
and a half). This instrument is made out of an eucalyptus branch (
a plant widely diffused in the North of Australia); the branch is chosen among those whose inner
part has been hollowed by termites. Firstly peeled, cleaned and accurately finished, the instrument
is then decorated with traditional paintings which remind of aborigines mythology. In aborigines
tradition the didgeridoo is played exclusively by men, which use it not only as a wind instrument where
they can blow and meanwhile utter words, sounds, noises, but also as a percussion instrument if hit with
sticks or boomerang. (A.Bartos)
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