Yidakiwuy Dhawu page 26 - Types of Yidaki

Yol\u Rom - Special Yidaki and their Stories

Djambawa names 4 yi[aki types - but the stories can only be shared by the clans that own them. text only

At this time, the consensus of the Yol\u of this area is not to share new details of madayin, or secret-sacred business, with the public on this website. Normal policy is that anything that is open to everyone in the Yol\u community, from senior men to young girls and even dogs, as Badikupa suggests elsewhere on this website, is open to the non-Yol\u public. Further topics or details are not. These public stories are often called the outside stories, as opposed to the many layers of inside stories that exist in Yol\u rom.

Yol\u rom is very strict about release of knowledge. There is a time and place for learning, both for Yol\u and non-Yol\u who are learning about Yol\u life. There is power - even danger - inherent in deep Yol\u knowledge. "I want to know" is not a good enough reason to be told anything. You learn at the proper time of your life.


Wukun Wanambi discusses the depth of yidaki knowledge, and the fact that it takes time to learn. text only	Wukun speaks of fears of sharing deeper knowledge about yidaki and lack of mutual sharing. text only	Buwathay Munyarryun, with Mirrwat\a and \|o\u, tells how to learn deeper knowledge from Yol\u - live with them. text only

While we have discussed some differences among yidaki that are used in public clan songs, most of these could be called simple everyday yidaki. These yidaki which are for the use and enjoyment of everyone here in Arnhem Land are also for the use and enjoyment of everyone around the world. There are also more specific ceremonial instruments that belong to individual clans and specific ceremonies and are not regularly seen in public in Arnhem Land. Therefore they will not be shown on this website.


Badikupa Gurruwiwi echoes Wukun and Buwathay's thoughts. First you play the normal way, then in time with Yol\u, you can learn more. Yol\u do not ask for knowledge, they only experience it in ceremony. text only	Badikupa speaks of the harshness of Yol\u law. He could be killed for sharing knowledge that he shouldn't! text only	Djambawa Marawili talks about dhuyu, or sacred, versus dhudi, or bottom/fundamental story, and individual clan ownership of knowledge. text only

There are however a few specific but less secret yidaki that have been shared publicly before, two of which were shared by a small group of elders of four different clans at the 2004 Garma Festival Yidaki Forum. These will be presented on the following two pages.

The 2004 Garma Yidaki Forum, presented by Djalu' Gurruwiwi, Gawirrin Gumana, Galarrwuy Yunupi\u and Djambawa Marawili.

NEXT PAGE - STORIES ABOUT THE YIDAKI - DJU|GIRRINY'