An
ancient musical instrument, created by the aboriginies of
Australia. Often just called a didj, pronounced to rhyme with bridge. Its characteristic humming, droning, buzzing sound has recently found a revival in modern musical styles such as
trance,
techno,
acid jazz and
tribal. Once you've heard one, you can readily identify it existing almost subliminally in other strains of music.
Aborignal mythology has several creation myths for the didj, mostly involving men and other phallic symbols. Traditionally, women never touched or played the instument.
Although technically a wind instrument, the didj acts as a percussion, keeping a beat or rhythm- much like drums in more traditional musical styles. Central to maintaining the beat is the trick of circular breathing.
Modern technology and physics only requires a long tube (five feet of PVC works nicely for practice) for the didj effect to work and sound passable, but truly authentic didjeridoos are naturally hollowed by termites eating the pith from a Bloodwood tree. Other woods have been used, and are sometimes painted or decorated for tourists.