Groote Eylandt yiraka (didgeridoo) playing style

This is an impromptu recording of yiraka playing, demonstrated by Jason Guwarnbal first and taken up later by Djalu' Gurruwiwi. Yiraka is the name for the didgeridoo in Groote Eylandt among the Anindilyakwa-speaking people.

The song played by Guwarnbal is fishing for parrotfish (ra:kum ga larlu). When Djalu picks up where Guwarnbal left off, Guwarnbal commences singing, momentarily, in a shaky-voice manner characteristic of Anindilyakwa singing.

At the end, Djalu' demonstrates the yiraka mouth sound patterns for the song he had just played.

The Galpu have strong links to families at Groote Eylandt through marriage, and there is regular travel back and forth to visit each other. There are Galpu family members living at Groote Eylandt currently.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• groote
• eylandt
• anindilyakwa
• yiraka
• yirdaki
• yidaki
• didgeridoo
• didjeridu
• aboriginal
• music
• arnhem
• land
• djalu
• gurruwiwi

[AndreasAntoniusMaria]

Groote Eylandt is old 17th century Dutch for Big Island. In modern Dutch it would be Grote Eiland! (Groote Eylandt/Grote Eiland)

[ididjaustralia]

that's correct!

[moshack]

I don`t think it is possible to copy the aboriginal style of playing as an outsider. Their language is a big part of the sound and tempo. We need to speak aboriginal to get any where near the correct sound. Don`t you think ?

[ididjaustralia]

That's kinda true, it takes real skill to 'copy' these traditional styles, and language is but one part of the challenge.

[photek]

I love Groote Eylandt style!

But, Mr.Gori said that yiraka would not have been made any longer.

Is very regrettable.

But, I like song very much.

I want to listen to the song some time:-)

[ididjaustralia]

Yiraka is in demise, true. But it isn't totally dead yet. Groote Eylandt has experienced some social problems but thee is hope yet...

[furrytummy]

I think the best thing we outsiders can do is try to use our own voice (voice of our soul), but respecting and trying to understand something greater than us.

So leave your thoughts fly away and your soul come out. I think this way we'll be really singing through the tree (maybe never like aboriginal kinds).

[DidgeridooKangaroo]

people say it sounds like a fart, but when i take out my didge i totally change their mind and now i have 2 other friends starting to play didge

[dennis11636]

I would like to meet with Dajlu soon... He is a great person!!!! I will ask him to pose for a new portrait :)

[AndreasAntoniusMaria]

@AwesomeDutchGuy Dank u, u hebt gelijk.

[AwesomeDutchGuy]

@AndreasAntoniusMaria Well actually, if you want to translate it 100% correctly from Groote Eylandt meaning Big Island, it would be Groot Eiland

[driftwoodbeech]

I love both styles being played here

[DidgeridooKangaroo]

I love the didge