Music from the Inuit
A woman with a qilaut, a drum made of stretched caribou skin that was originally used to summon animist gods during ritual services. The qilaut is also called a "wind drum."
About:Traditional music from the Inuit has been based around drums used in dance music as far back as can be known, and a vocal style called katajjaq (Inuit throat singing) has become of interest in Canada and abroad.
Characteristics of Inuit music include: recitative-like singing, complex rhythmic organization, relatively small melodic range averaging about a sixth, prominence of major thirds and minor seconds melodically, with undulating melodic movement. 1
Similarities to other music styles: Some of the Inuit musical stylings are similar to Mongolian music.
Influences: In the 20th century, Inuit music was influenced by Scottish and Irish sailors, as well as, most influentially, American country music.2
DISCOVER MORE
Throat Singing Music In Inuit Culture
Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among Inuit women while the men were away on hunting trips. It was an activity that was primarily done by Inuit women although there have been some men doing it as well. In the Inuit language Inuktitut, throat singing is called katajjaq, pirkusirtuk or nipaquhiit depending on the Canadian Arctic region. It was regarded more as a type of vocal or breathing game in the Inuit culture rather than a form of music.
Inuit throat singing is generally done by two individuals but can involve four or more people together as well. In Inuit throat singing, two Inuit women would face each other either standing or crouching down while holding each other’s arms. One would lead with short deep rhythmic sounds while the other would respond. The leader would repeat sounds with short gaps in between. The follower would fill in these gaps with her own rhythmic sounds. Sometimes both Inuit women would be doing a dance like movement like rocking from left to right while throat singing. 3
VIDEOS
Inuit Song
Inuit Musical Tribute
Inuit Throat Singing
Source:
1.South American Music, Maps of the World: http://www.mapsofworld.com/south-america/culture/music.html
2.Music of Canadian Cultures, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_Canadian_cultures
3.http://www.freespiritgallery.ca/inuitthroatsinging.htm
