Cultural Provenance & Authenticity

Many instruments sold on Resonatta come from living cultural traditions. Representing an instrument as made by an Indigenous or traditional maker when it was not takes income and recognition from the people whose tradition it is, and misleads buyers. This policy applies to all sellers, worldwide.

Do not describe, title, tag, or otherwise present an instrument as made by an Indigenous maker, a specific people or community, or within a traditional lineage, unless that is genuinely true. This covers the listing title, description, photos, tags, and shop branding.

Instruments made in the style of a tradition are welcome on Resonatta and are a legitimate, respected part of the instrument world. Label them plainly:

• "Native American style flute"
• "Aboriginal-style didgeridoo"
• "Andean-style panpipes"

Use "style", "inspired by", or "in the tradition of". Do not use a people's or community's name in a way that implies origin.

You are encouraged to say so, and to name your community, nation, or lineage, and the maker. Buyers value that provenance and it is the single most useful thing you can put in a listing.

If you are reselling an instrument made by someone else, describe what you actually know about its origin and say plainly what you do not know. "Purchased in [place], maker unknown" is honest and acceptable. Do not upgrade an uncertain provenance into a definite claim.

Requirements vary by country and sellers are responsible for their own compliance. Here are two examples, not the full picture:

• United States: The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 makes it unlawful to offer or sell an item in a manner that falsely suggests it is Native American or American Indian produced, or the product of a particular tribe, with substantial penalties.
• Australia: Misrepresenting goods as Aboriginal-made has been pursued under consumer law, including a 2.3 million dollar penalty against a company selling didgeridoos and other items made overseas as authentic Aboriginal art.

Other jurisdictions have their own protections.

Resonatta does not pre-verify provenance claims. We act on reports. If a listing is reported and we find the claim false or misleading, we may edit or remove the listing, hold or reverse payouts on affected orders, and suspend or remove the seller for repeat or deliberate misrepresentation.

Buyers who received an item misrepresented in this way should open a help request on the order. Our process is explained in the Dispute Resolution Policy.

Anyone, buyer or not, can report a listing they believe misrepresents cultural origin, and reports from members of the community concerned are especially welcome. Email us at dustin@resonatta.com.