Hey everyone!
Here’s my little personal intro:
My name is Teva, I’m 26, I’m from New Caledonia and I’m currently living near the Swiss border with Geneva.
As I explained in a previous post, my father worked in the mines and had to move around for work, and with geographical and commercial proximity helping out, I ended up living in various remote parts of Australia (Straya for those in the know) for varying lengths of time during my early childhood. My nanny was Aboriginal and lived on the reserve, so as a kid I quickly got to share games with the other children there.
Blowing into a yidaki was part of that. It was the first encounter, and then as I grew up it stayed a childhood memory but nothing more. (I didn’t live in the traditional yidaki region but in Southern Australia). After going back to study in Caledonia I decided to return to live in Australia. 3 years to explore the whole place while making the most of each spot. That’s where I met people from Arnhem Land and where my taste for this instrument came from.
I’ll admit I have quite a traditionalist personal view of this instrument but I’m just like them, happy to see it flourishing around the world because it means continuity.
As for my instruments, my very first yidaki was given to me in Arnhem Land, a stringy bark classic about 1.60m long. I then found my second one during a hunting trip still in the far north, I just had to saw the trunk to get it.
Since I came to France this year I’ve made a PVC slide in three parts so I can move around and do a bit of bush with it easily.
That’s all I have.
For the rest, whenever I get the chance to escape into the Alpine forests long enough I like to make one on the spot with what I have available in the woods. I try out several techniques to get a playable instrument, the little bugs that eat the wood not being present here. And all of it has to be done with minimal gear of course (axe, knife, pot).
I abandon these instruments afterwards or just burn them.
I do it because the instrument chosen in a specific place gives a voice to that place and that’s how we communicate with it—it’s unique and must remain in its place.
The yidaki is traditionally often used just once or painted for an occasion then washed and forgotten. Like I said, it’s a very personal vision I have and I respect all the aspects this practice can take for each person. Maybe one day I’ll try to make a video explaining the making but technology’s not really my thing haha.
Anyway I hope it’s not too long or too confusing to read. Happy playing everyone and may it bring you what you ask of it. 
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