26 Facts About Djalu Gurruwiwi

Djalu Gurruwiwi was globally recognised for his acquired skill as a player, maker, and spiritual keeper of the yidaki.

Djalu Gurruwiwi was born at the mission station on Wirriku Island, one of the smaller islands in the Wessel Islands group.

Djalu Gurruwiwi has self-reported being born on Milingimbi Island, with both of these island groups being off Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Djalu Gurruwiwi was given the European name "Willie" at some point.

Djalu Gurruwiwi's father was Monyu Gurruwiwi and his mother Djikulu Yunupingu.

Djalu Gurruwiwi was a leader of the Dhuwa moietyGalpu clan, of the Dangu language group of the Yolngu peoples.

Djalu Gurruwiwi grew up practicing Christianity and living a traditional life in the remote area, hunting turtles with his father on a lipalipa, and with little contact with "balanda".

Djalu Gurruwiwi was given the responsibility for carrying out punishment for tribal law, becoming both respected and feared.

Djalu Gurruwiwi gave up drinking and devoted his life to the yidaki and spiritual and other studies.

Djalu Gurruwiwi died in Arnhem Land after a long illness on 12 May 2022, believed to be aged in his late 80s.

Djalu Gurruwiwi featured as a didgeridoo player in the feature film Jindalee Lady, directed by Aboriginal director Brian Syron.

Djalu Gurruwiwi had spent much time over several decades crafting his instruments and refining his technique.

Djalu Gurruwiwi sold his pieces to the local community arts centre and various non-Indigenous workers and visitors.

Djalu Gurruwiwi had the ability to find adequate material for the yidaki by just walking through the woods and allowing his connection to nature to choose the correct log for making the instrument.

Djalu Gurruwiwi was a senior member of his clan, having learned to play and make the yidaki from his father, Monyu, an important leader and warrior.

Much of the knowledge and cultural practice that he acquired is held sacred so Djalu Gurruwiwi is held in high esteem.

In 1986, his reputation as a craftsman was given a world stage when several of his friends and relatives formed the musical group Yothu Yindi, and commissioned Djalu Gurruwiwi to make their yidakis.

Djalu Gurruwiwi delivered the first Yidaki masterclass at the inaugural Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures in 1999, and has delivered all subsequent Yidaki Masterclasses at the Festival since.

Djalu Gurruwiwi has attended numerous other festivals and events both in Australia and abroad, including.

At the 2015 edition of Womadelaide, Djalu Gurruwiwi participated in an "Artists in Conversation" session as well as a performance that included Gotye and the Barra musicians in Adelaide, South Australia.

Djalu Gurruwiwi is a respected artist, with his bark paintings on eucalyptus bark being acquired by numerous important institutions, including the National Gallery of Victoria, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum, the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection of the University of Virginia and many private collections.

Djalu Gurruwiwi's work has been included in numerous exhibitions since 1990.

Djalu Gurruwiwi is featured in numerous YouTube videos, which attract tens of thousands of views.

Djalu Gurruwiwi was the main consultant for Yidaki: Didjeridu and the Sound of Australia, an exhibition curated by the South Australian Museum in 2017.

Djalu Gurruwiwi spread international master classes to outside continents such as Europe, Asia, and North America.

Djalu Gurruwiwi used to hold annual yidaki workshops at the Garma Festival of Traditional Cultures for advanced students and produced two instructional albums on how to play the instrument.