Véfoun

Agave didgeridoo maker on Reunion Island

Who is Véfoun?

"A lover of tribal arts and natural materials, an all-round artist and a carpenter by trade, I have been living for ten years in the west of Reunion, the driest part of the island. The agave (known as 'choka' on Reunion) is everywhere there: before it dies, it grows a tall flower stalk. So it seemed obvious to me to use it. As its shape is already perfect for a didgeridoo, I ended up making my own instruments."

How does Véfoun make his didgeridoos?

"I won't go into too much detail, trade secrets oblige, but here are the broad lines. I cut my agave stalk in two, then mark out the different diameters according to the key I want. Then I hollow out both halves with a gouge, before gluing them back together with epoxy resin. The inside gets three coats: one of red paint and two of aquaurethane varnish. All that's left is to adjust the key with the wooden mouthpiece, then apply one coat of epoxy resin and three coats of varnish to the outside." Véfoun