The clapsticks are wooden sticks around 20cm in length and used to create rhythm for songs & dances. Commonly played by women by cracking them together or also hitting the earth. Both women and men can use the clap sticks. And depending on the area and Aboriginal Tribe the clapsticks could be raw, painted and even have burnt designs placed on them. They are most commonly used during Ceremonies, social dancing and during Corroborees and sometimes to accompany solo singing into the night.
Depictions of clap sticks, along with the Yidaki, appear in rock paintings and are estimated to have been around for thousands of years.
