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Garma Festival Yidaki Masterclass

To attend the Garma Festival Yidaki Masterclass go to the attending Garma page and complete an Expression of Interest Form.

Japanese yidaki players are welcome to contact Tetsuji Ueno or visit the Dinkum Aussie Club website and North American Yidaki players are welcome to contact Fred Tietjen

The Garma Yidaki Masterclasses have been highly successful in providing an opportunity for experienced Yolngu yidaki players to share their knowledge and skills in accomplishing the finer points of this ancient instrument. Experienced students of the instrument have a unique opportunity to learn from Yolngu Master Players.

Masterclass sessions are held for all five days of the Garma Festival. Many esteemed yidaki players will be involved with performing and/or teaching during those days. One of these, yidaki master Djalu Gurruwiwi, renowned for his teachings as well as for his ability in making the
yidaki, will be sharing his knowledge with students from around the world. The quality of his
yidakis are internationally recognised and Indigenous band Yothu Yindi continue to use his
yidakis in their music.

A field trip will be conducted similar to previous years when students were taken into the bush and shown the process of yidaki locating and construction.

In 2001 Djalu conducted a workshop with experienced students on the playing of the yidaki. Djalu said that the ability to play the yidaki is a gift. He has been provided with that gift, but that the spirits could take that gift from him at any time. Djalu believes it his duty to pass on his knowledge of the yidaki.

There was a touching moment in the workshop where Djalu invited his students to sit before him while he demonstrated the healing properties of the instrument by playing the yidaki against their backs. It was a symbolic gesture in passing on his power and ability to the students.