Ancient Sounds
The didjeridu, or yidaki as it is known in northeast Arnhem Land, is one of the world's oldest wind instruments, with a history stretching back at least 1,500 years. But Aboriginal music traditions extend far beyond this iconic instrument.
Clapsticks, body percussion, voice, and the sounds of the natural world have all been woven into musical traditions that are inseparable from ceremony, storytelling, and connection to Country. Each language group has its own distinct musical traditions, songs, and performance styles.
Songmen and Songwomen
In traditional Aboriginal society, certain people hold the responsibility of maintaining and performing specific songs. These song custodians carry vast repertoires that encode cultural knowledge, law, and history.
Many traditional songs are sacred and can only be performed by authorised people in specific ceremonial contexts. The public sharing of some songs requires permission from Traditional Owners.
Corroborees — ceremonial gatherings involving song, dance, and music — remain an important part of Aboriginal cultural life. These events can last for days and bring together people from across vast distances to share stories, resolve disputes, and strengthen social bonds.
Contemporary Indigenous Music
From the 1960s onwards, Aboriginal musicians began making powerful contributions to contemporary Australian music. Bands like Yothu Yindi, with their fusion of traditional Yolngu music and rock, brought Aboriginal music to mainstream audiences.
Music has always been our way of telling our story. Now the whole world can hear it.
Today, Indigenous Australian musicians work across every genre — from hip hop and electronic music to country, jazz, and classical. Artists like Baker Boy, Jessica Mauboy, Thelma Plum, and Electric Fields continue to push boundaries while maintaining deep connections to culture and Country.
Music as Resistance
Throughout the twentieth century, music has been a powerful tool for Aboriginal political expression. Protest songs, freedom rides, and musical activism have played crucial roles in campaigns for land rights, reconciliation, and social justice.
The relationship between music and activism continues today, with a new generation of Indigenous artists using their platforms to address issues including constitutional recognition, deaths in custody, and climate justice.