A non-comprehensive reference list for further studies of the cultural and historical context of the traditional didgeridoo. References are organised according to eight different topics: Australian Indigenous culture (sociology, spirituality, anthopology, traditional knowledge and life), Australian Indigenous Art, History of Northern Australia pre- and post-colonisation, Musicology, Globalisation, Audio recordings, Websites and Motion picture.

Updated: July 2023

Books, texts and journals

Topic: Australian Indigenous culture (sociology, spirituality, anthopology, traditional knowledge and life)

Berndt, R. M. & Berndt, C. H. (1971). The first Australians. Sydney, Australia: Walkabout Pocketbooks).

Cawte, J. (2001). Healers of Arnhem Land (second edition). Sydney: J.B. Books Pty Ltd.

Durkheim, E. (2008). The elementary forms of religious life. Hawthorne, California: BN Publishing.

Eliade, M. (1974). The myth of the ethernal return or cosmos and history. Princeton, New Jersey: Pricneton University Press.

Elkin, A. P. (1974). The Australian Aborigines. Sydney, Australia: Angus and Robertson Publishers.

Elkin, A.P. (1994). Aboriginal men  of high degree: initiation and sorcery in the world’s oldest tradition. St. Lucia, Australia: University of Queensland Press.

Isaac, J. (1995). Wandjuk Marika life story. St. Lucia, Australia: University of Queensland Press.

Thomson, D. F. (1949). Economic structure and the ceremonial exchange cycle in Arnhem Land. Melbourne, Australia: MacMillan & Co. Limited.

Trudgen, R. (2000). Why warriors lie down and die. Parap, Australia: Aboriginal Resources and Development Services Inc.

Warner, W. L. (1958). A Black cizilization, A study of an Australian tribe (revised edition). New York: Harper&Row Publishers.

Topic: Australian Indigenous Art

Koening, J. & Altman J. C. & Griffiths A. D. (2011). Artist and harvesters: natural resource use by Indigenous woodcarvers in Central Arnhem Land, Australia. Hum Ecol, 39, 407-419. doi:10.1007/s10745-011-9413-z

Morphy, H. (1991). Ancestral connections: art and an Aboriginal system of knowledge. Chicago, USA: The University of Chicago Press.

Morphy, H. (2008). Becoming art – Exploring cross-cultural categories (second edition). Sydney: University of New South Wales Press Ltd.

Petitjean, G & Carty, J. & Cloake, J. (2022). Yiḏaki: The Origin of Didjeridu. In Breath of Life. Switzerland: Fondation Opale.

Stubbs, W. & Wolseley, J. (2018). Miḏawarr – Harvest. The art of Mulkuṉ Wirrpanda and John Wolseley. Canberra, Australia: National Museum of Australai Press.

Wirrpanda, M. & Kerekes, J. (2023). Sensing resonance: Interview with Marikuku Wirrpanda yiḏaki maker. Garland Magazine. Retrieved from: https://garlandmag.com/article/yidaki/

Topic: History of Northern Australia pre- and post-colonisation

Flood, J. (2004). Archaeology of the dreamtime (4th edition). South Australia, Gecko Books.

Flood, J. (2006). The original Australians: story of the Aboririnal people. Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

Hughes, R. (1988). The fatal shore – The epic of Australia’s founding. New York, USA: Random House.

Mountford, C. P. (1956). Records of the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land, Vol. 1: Art, Myth and Symbolism. Melbourne, Australia: Melbourne University Press

Peterson, N. (2003). Donald Thomson in Arnhem Land. Melbourne, Australia: The Miegunyah Press.

Welch, C. (2002). Appropriating the didjeridu and the sweat lodge: new age baddies and Indigenous victims? Journal of contemporary religion, 17(1), 21-38. doi:10.1080/13537900120098147

Wells, E. (1982). Reward and punishment in Arnhem Land. Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Topic: Musicology

Barwick, L. & Birch, B. & Evans, N. (2007). Iwaidja Jurtbirrk songs: bringing language and music together. Australian Aboriginal Studies, issue 2 , 6-34. Retrieved from https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/handle/2123/13110/BarwickBirchEvans2007-postprint.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Elkin, A. P. & Jones, T. A. (1953). Arnhem Land music: North Australia. The Oceania Monographs No. 9. Sydneay, Australia: The University of Sydney.

Kassler, J. C. & Stubington, J. (1984). Problems & Solutions: occasional essays in musicology presented to Alice M. Moyle. Sydney, Australia: Hale & Iremonger PTY Limitied.

Knopoff, S. (1997). Accompanying the dreaming. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 39-68). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

MacKinlay, Elizabeth (2003) Yanyuwa Women Play Too: Didjeridu Performance at Borroloola, N.T. Women & Music: A Journal of Gender and Culture, Vol. 7, pp. 1-11. Retrieved from  https://openmusiclibrary.org/article/532099/.archaeology

Magowan, F. (1997). Out of time, out of space. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 155-160). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Molye, A. M. (1981). The Australian didjeridu: a late musical intrusion. World Archaeology, and Musical Instruments, 12(3), 321-331. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/stable/124244?seq=1

Moyle, A. M. (1974). Songs from the Northern Territory: companion booklet (Revised edition). Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (1978). Aboriginal sound instruments: companion booklet. Canberra, Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

O’Keeffe, I. (2010). Kaddikkaddik ka-wokdjanganj ‘Kaddikkadik spoke’: Lanb=guage and music of the Kun-barlang Kadikkadik songs from Western Arnhem Land. Australian Journal of Linguistics, 30(1), 35-51. doi:10.1080/07268600903134012

Schellberg, D. (2005). Didgeridoo: ritual origins and playing techniques. Havelte, Holland: Binkey Kok Publications.

Stubington, J. (1979). North Australian Aboriginal music. In Isaac, I. (Ed.), Australian Aboriginal music. Sydney, Australia: Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd.

Turner, D. H. (1997). Afterlife before genesis. An introduction: accessing the Ethernal through Australian Aboriginal music. New York, USA: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

Yunupiŋu, M. (1997). Yiḏaki. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. vii-viii). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Topic: Globalisation

Baker, N. (2020, July 28). International women’s didgeridoo festival raises questions back in Australia. SBS News. Retrieved from https://www.sbs.com.au/news/international-women-s-didgeridoo-festival-raises-questions-back-in-australia/b3be1b92-f146-4352-931d-0abd9f01577f

Barwick, L. (1997). Gender ‘taboos’ and didgeridoos. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 89-98). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Carmody, K. & Neunfeldt, K. (1997). Ancient voice – Contemporary expression. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 11-20). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Clark, P. (2009). Rripaŋu Yidaki: Aboriginal social frameworks in a Musical Ecotourism Business. Journal of Ecotourism, 8(2), 176-192. doi:10.1080/14724040802696056

Corn, A. (2003). Outside the hollow log: The didjeridu, globalisation and socio-economic contestation in Arnhem Land. Rural Society, 13(3), 244-257. doi: 10.5172/rsj.13.3.244

Davidson, M. & Neunfeldt, K. (1997). Education, empowernment and entertainment. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 21-30). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Dunbar-Hall, P. (1997). Continuation, dissemination and innovation. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 69-88). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Garde, M. & Danaja, P. & Djelkwarrngi W. T. (2000). ‘That didjeridu has sent them mad’. In I. Chance (Ed.), Kaltja now : Indigenous arts Australia (pp. 12-25). Kent Town: Wakefield Press.

Hayward, P. & Neunfeldt, K. (1997). One instrument, many voices. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 1-10). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Homan, S. (1997). Terra Incognita – The career of Charlie MacMahon. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 123-138). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Hudson, D. & Tietjen, F. (1997). The didjeridu – a portal to culture. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 31-38). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Neuenfeldt, K. (1997). The didjeridu in the desert. In K. Neuenfeldt (Ed.), The Didjeridu: from Arnhem Land to the Internet (pp. 107-122). John Libbey & Company Ltd., NSW.

Nicholls, C.J. (2017, April 7). Friday essays: the remarkable yidaki (and no, it’s not the didge). The Conversation. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/friday-essay-the-remarkable-yidaki-and-no-its-not-a-didge-74169

Topic: Audio Recordings

Blanasi, D. (1998). Didjeridu master [CD]. USA: Bing Bang Records.

Blanasi, D. & Laiwanga, D. (1976). Bamyili corroboree: songs of Djoli Laiwanga [LP], (out of print). Australia, Grevillea Records.

Blanasi, D. & Nawili, J. & Yirindili, D. & Brown, D. D. & Kelly, T. (2002). The White Cockatoo Performing Group: The David Blanasi tribute album 1998-2001 [CD]. USA: Big Bang Records.

Cloake, J. (2007). Balanda yiḏaki dhukarr [CD]. New Zealand: Jeremy Cloake.

Dikarrna, D. (2006). Mago masterclass: an introduciton to the ‘Kunborrk’ didjeridu playing style of the Western Arnhem region of Australia [CD]. Australia: White Cockatoo.

Elkin, A. P. (Collector). (1957). Arnhem Land vol 1: Austhentic Australian Aboriginal songs and dances [LP], (out of print). Australia: His Master’s Voice.

Elkin, A. P. (Collector). (1957). Arnhem Land vol 2: Austhentic Australian Aboriginal songs and dances [LP], (out of print). Australia: His Master’s Voice.

Elkin, A. P. (Collector). (1957). Arnhem Land vol 3: Austhentic Australian Aboriginal songs and dances [LP], (out of print). Australia: His Master’s Voice.

Ganambarr, M. & Ganambarr, Ŋ. & Garmu, M. (2011). Rorruwuy: Traditional songs from Ḏaṯiwuy Ŋaymil clan [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Gurruwiwi, D. (2001). Contemporary master series volume 3: Djalu Gurruwiwi teaches and plays yidaki (didgeridoo)  [CD]. Australia: Skinnyfish Music.

Gurruwiwi, D. (2003). Contemporary master series volume 6: Djalu Gurruwiwi teaches and plays yidaki (didgeridoo), volume 2 (Songs and stories from the Galpu clan [CD]. Australia: Skinnyfish Music.

Gurruwiwi, G. (2001). Contemporary master series volume 2: Waluka [CD]. Australia: Skinnyfish Music.

Gurruwiwi, M. A. & Grimes, A. (Producers). (2017). Buku-waṯthawuy Nininyŋu Rom: Ancent languages new sounds [CD]. Australia: Aboriginal Resources and Development Services.

Holmes, S. L. B. (Collector). (1970). Land of the Morning Star: Songs and music of Arnhem Land [LP], (out of print). Australia: His Master’s Voice.

Jones, T. (Collector). (1963). Art of the didjeridu [LP], (out of print). Australia: Wattle.

Legune, D. & Allenbar, C. & Toby, A. & Barunga, N. & Mullane, J. & Fry, C. &Bangmorra, C. & Willinji, R & Martin, D. & Utemorrah, L. & Utemorrah D. & Peters, A. & Barunga, P. (1991). Bushfire: Traditional Aboriginal music [CD]. Australia: Larrikin.

Marawili, D. & Marawili, Y. & Marawili, M. & Marawili, W. & Marawili, D. (2008). Yilpara: Madarrpa clan, Muŋurru manikay from Yilpara [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Marika, W. (1977). Wanjuk Marika in Port Moresby, didjeridu solo [EP], (out of print). Australia: Larrikin.

Maymuru, B. & Maymuru, N. & Maymuru, Y. (2011). Yiŋapuŋapu: Traditional songs from the Maŋalili clan [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1978). Aboriginal sound instruments [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1997). Songs from the Northern Territory 1: Music from West Arnhem Land [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1997). Songs from the Northern Territory 2: Music from Eastern Arnhem Land [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1997). Songs from the Northern Territory 3: Music from Yirrkala and Milingimbi North-Eastern Arnhem Land [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1997). Songs from the Northern Territory 4: Music from Eastern Arnhem Land includin Groote Eylandt [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Moyle, A. M. (Collector). (1997). Songs from the Northern Territory 5: Aboriginal music – travelling songs (‘song lines’) from Southern Arnhem Land; also songs from Bathurst and Melville Islands and guitar-accompanied songs by young Arnhem Land singers [CD]. Australia: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.

Mununggurr, M. (2005). Hard tongue didgeridoo: Excercises in North East Ernhem Land yiḏaki style [CD]. Australia: Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre

Mununggurr, M. & Mununggurr, W. & Mununggurr, D. (2013). Waṉḏawuy: Traditional songs from Djapu clan [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Munyarryun, B. & Mununggurr, B. (2012). Yilan: Traditional songs from Wangurri clan [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Munyarryun, B. & Munyarryun, G. & Munyarryun, M. & Munyarryun, W. & Munyarryun, M. & Munyarryun, R. & Munyarryun, G. & Munyarryun, W. (2008). Dhalinybuy: Wangurri clan manikay [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Waterman, R. A. (Collector). (2015). Yirrkala recordings [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Wunungmurra, W. & Wunungmurra, Y. & Wunungmurra, W. (2010). Gurrumuru: Dhalwangu clan manikay from Gurrumuru [CD]. Australia: The Mulka Project.

Yunupingu, G. (2001). Contemporary master series volume 1: Gobulu [CD]. Australia: Skinnyfish Music.

Topic: Websites

Graves, R. (2017). Yidakistory.com – Articles, Reviews & Reflections on Yiḏaki & Yolŋu Culture. https://yidakistory.com/

Lister, P. (n.d.). Manikay.com – The promotion and enjoyment of traditional Arnhem Land music. http://www.manikay.com/

Trad Sticks. (n.d.). Home [Facebook page]. Facebook. Retrieved October 31, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/groups/490411621883751

Topic: Motion picture

Bell, J. & Thurmer, A. (Producer), Bell, J. (Director). (2014). In between songs [Motion picture]. USA: Cinema Libre Studio

Gurruwiwi, D. & Strunin, B. & Pederick, B. & Wiegard, P. & Pappas, K. & Whitwell, W. & Batzias, N (Producer), & Strunin, B (Director). (2018). Westwind – Djalu’s legacy [Motion picture]. Australia: Madman Production Company

Ididj Australia [iDidj]. (2006, October 13). iDidj Australia YouTube Page [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/c/ididjaustralia

n.a. (Producer), & n.a. (Director). (2013). Kundirri – The life and legacy of David Blanasi [Motion picture]. Australia: Djilpin Arts