The Adaptation of Violin Playing by Indigenous People in Early Twentieth-Century Western Australia and New South Wales

This article will use the European violin as a lens through which to reinterpret interactions between Aboriginal people and Europeans in twentieth-century Australia. The is particularly well-respected instrument within western art music tradition. Accordingly, took Indigenous embrace of evidence successful assimilation policies acquisition civility. However, diverse adaptable sound violin, combined with its construction from natural materials, aligned people’s traditional collaborative experience music. allowed act powerful means cultural continuation expression that was encouraged, not forbidden. ability adapt face genocide has ensured survival their traditions over years since colonists arrived it important understand how reacted. aims contribute only new understanding way have responded but also been understood histories Australia colonization.