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 The sound of the didgeridoo is quintessential
to the very soul of Australia's natural landscape. No other
sound can evoke such strong images of the Australian outback
better than the haunting tones of the didgeridoo.
The Aboriginal people believe the ancient
didgeridoo helped to "sing" the world into existence
and they still use it in their traditional ceremonies.
The didgeridoo has its origins
in the Arnhemland region of Northern Australia. Anthropologists
have mixed theories about the emergence of the didgeridoo into
Aboriginal cultural practices. One theory is based on the
fact that the appearance of images depicting the didgeridoo, on
rock paintings, dates back 20,000 years. To appreciate the
mysticism of the instrument is not to be so concerned with
dates and figures but to simply enjoy its nature.
Didgeridoos are made from several varieties
of eucalyptus trees which are hollowed by the action of termites
(or white ants). These species include the Woolybutt, Stringybark
and Bloodwood and are found in the monsoonal belt across northern
Australia.
 The hollow trees are carefully selected
for suitable length. The outer bark is cut back and the interior
deposits are knocked out. Various techniques are used to season
the timber and these include burying in wet sand and heat
tempering.
The artwork from the Arnhemland region features
a technique known as "rrark" or crosshatch. The
designs and totems have significance to the maker and usually
refer to ancestral or spirit totems. The more traditional
ochres have now been replaced with commercial artists' acrylic
paints and these have a much longer lasting quality.
Many styles of decoration have now emerged
including the "dot" style of central Australia.
Some of the burning techniques have also been introduced and
these designs are mainly produced in the southern parts of
Australia.
 The didgeridoo is not always decorated and the
unpainted wood grain of many of the eucalypt species provides
a unique texture and finish as a natural timber.
The didgeridoo sound is created by vibrating
the lips. Constant pressure is produced by a circular breathing
technique which is maintained by breathing through the nose
and pushing the air from the lungs, hence the sound is uninterrupted.
The tongue, lips and breathing combine to create energetic
rhythmic patterns.
Didgeridoos from various artists are available
for purchase online.
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