ABOUT THE DIDGERIDOO

Women and the didgeridoo

There is much debate over whether women can play the didgeridoo and it certainly has caused its fair share of controversy on occasion. When book publishers Harper Collins published 'The Daring Book for Girls' which encouraged girls to play didgeridoo, and when Nicole Kidman 'played' the didgeridoo on German TV, media attention fuelled the controversy.
This media attention, as always, perpetuated the idea that it is taboo for women to play the didgeridoo and that harm could come to them as a result.
So can women play the didgeridoo? As I am unqualified to comment on this sensitive topic, I will instead quote directly from the web site of Buku-Larrngay Mulka Art Centre and Museum, the primary cultural centre for Northeast Arnhemland:
"It may differ in other Aboriginal communities, but in the Miwatj, the majority opinion is that no harm will come to women who play. Playing for fun is a simple physical activity, not a dangerous spiritual one. But, most importantly, by law and custom, Yolnu women do not play yidaki. So the best advice for non-Yolnu women is to make your own choice for what you do on your own time, knowing that there are some Yolnu who would encourage you to play.
But be very sensitive about who you are with. If you are in Arnhem Land or in the presence of people from Arnhem Land, carefully check that no one will be upset before playing."
Quote taken from: http://www.yirrkala.com/yidaki/dhawu/35miyalk.html
Furthermore, ididj Australia, an important Australian didgeridoo cultural hub, has also commented on this issue:
"Despite the didjeridu being a male-oriented instrument in Australian Aboriginal culture, non-Indigenous women around the world have begun to explore the musical possibilities of the didjeridu.
There is a diversity of opinions relating to this among Aboriginal men, ranging from encouragement and amusement to indifference and downright scorn.
Generally, Aboriginal men in 'Top End' communities do not have a problem with non-Indigenous women playing the didjeridu. They reason that the cultural rules and conditions that govern behaviour in Indigenous society do not apply to non-Indigenous women, which are bound by their own set of Western laws and moral codes."
Quote taken from: http://www.ididj.com.au/theDidjeridu/play.html
For those women out there looking for some encouragement, look no further than Lies Beijerinck, the 'didge mother of Holland'. Lies leads the way in contemporary didgeridoo playing and provides a great example to all women didgeridoo players out there looking for inspiration.

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In summary

Aboriginal women generally do not play the didgeridoo as dictated by aboriginal custom.
Sources from within respected aboriginal groups who are custodians of the didgeridoo generally state that non-aboriginal women can play the didgeridoo.
Care should be taken so as not to offend aboriginal custom by playing the didgeridoo in the wrong setting or context.