Aboriginal people are taught to sing from a young age so that they may participate in corroborees and ceremonies.
A corroboree is a form of non-sacred ceremony in which stories are re-enacted through song and dance and is different from a sacred ceremony in which there are strict cultural …show more content…
It is thought to be the oldest instrument on earth, originating in Northern Australia thousands of years ago. They are made from the trunks of trees that have been hollowed by termites and the pitch varies with the length and shape. The sound of the didgeridoo imitates and represents the sounds of nature such as animals, the sound of the wind or running water.
It is usually played as part of an ensemble, accompanying singers and dancers in ceremonies, though it is also played solo by some musicians. In traditional ceremonies, only men are allowed to play the didgeridoo and it is considered by some, to be inappropriate for a woman to play it.
Other instruments that are also used to compliment the sound of the didgeridoo, include, clapping sticks or a bullroarer and improvised clapping and beating the ground.
The ancient music and customs of the Australian Indigenous people are just as important today, though the mainstream Indigenous music has been influenced by European instruments and music genres. Contemporary Aboriginal music consists of a mixture of Aboriginal culture, Western styles and instruments such as the guitar and bass. It has been used in the past to raise awareness of political and social issues which is especially evident in music from the 70’s when Indigenous people were fighting for equality and recognition of land