Australian of the Year Mandawuy Yunupingu, yirdaki interview

Mandawuy Yunupingu is, amongst other things, the lead singer of, or front man for, the Yothu Yindi band. It was Yothu Yindi that brought the power of the yirdaki onto the world's stage back in the 1980s... the band's reach has been phenomenal and the recognition of the yirdaki outside of Australia is in no small part a direct result of the popularity of YY's music as well as the political message it has been trying to get across all these years.

Here is an interview with Mandawuy about Yothu Yindi and the yirdaki that I was very lucky to get. Mandawuy is not well at the moment which made this interview all the more urgent. Let's hope his health improves.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• yothu
• yindi
• mandawuy
• yunupingu
• gumatj
• yirdaki
• yidaki
• didgeridoo
• aboriginal
• yolngu
• land
• rights
• gove
• yirrkala
• music

[fotograafje666]

He is my hero! His people are the inspiration in my live. For example, my son has a aboriginal first name to honour them. I am a yirdaki teacher in my rare spare time.

My house is full with the colours from arnhem land.

I hope he will be strong soon.

yomanimak

Ron

[brentandwendy]

Excellent interview - as you say, so very important. It has been 12 long years since I last spoke with Mandawuy - and immediately I saw his face on this video I knew he was not well. I also hope that it is not something serious, and that soon Mandawuy will once again be healthy and strong....his people need his voice, his lessons, and his vision....long live this tribal voice!

[Cre8iveSignWorks]

he doesnt sound well and his hair turned white.

is he still alive or did he pass?

[BlueEarthRising]

I like so very many in our country share your heart felt reserve. I am encouraged by your unending optimism for what is RIGHT in our shared country. Together we make the world we both live in, made greater by our friendship. Made all the more enduring by your eternal patients with those who have yet to understand basic values. We share this problem together, and together we WILL solve it. Your wisdom frees me of this shame, a burden we both share.

[BlueEarthRising]

I have so much respect for you Mandawuy Yunupingu,

Thank you for your work to bring us

the joy, inspiration and profound knowledge of your people.

You make me proud to be an Australian.

[sover86]

much respect wah wah..im a white australian that has worked alot in east ahrnem land,gove..iv played the yidaki for years and it was good to see where it originates from and learn the stories behinde the music....

[dumdawg1]

Wakold, Im a black coon. As such I find your remark to be a bigotted reflection of whats wrong with this country. Luckily you are a minority as there is so much RIGHT with this country, perhaps your narrow minded outlook can be discounted and hopefully ignored.... as it should be.

[wakold]

you are clearly one of those many uneducated Australians, we call them "white coons" too, in other words you are a fucking loser.

[sheishungry]

is there somewhere i can get a transcript of this interview? thanks :)

[kdidj]

At least he knows the difference between you're and your.

[bighaggis1]

your a tosser