I grew up in the south and have always been embarassed being singled out as the Inuit. With videos like these I have finally come at peace with my culture and am not ashamed to let people know.
That was awesome. I'm a drum leader here in alaska. I can never stop watching the drums being used. Don't matter what they are. inuk, yupiaq, Cupiaq, Inupiaq. We all keep our traditions alive. knowing the language does help alot to. Especially making new songs. Quyana, thanks, for the post. Keep it up.
This is awesome! I was ignorant of the Inuit culture until now... thanks to you tube I came across it. I love the girls throat singing too! Keep it alive, its beautiful!
I'm Ojibwe from Minnesota and it's cool to see the different styles of dancing and singing from other tribes that we usually don't see at the powwows here:)
Generally Inuktitut is taught in school through Grade 3 in most communities in Nunavut. That being said, there are some communities where Inuktitut is prevalent, and retained as an important part of culture, tradition and upbringing - and, unfortunately in some, where English has taken over. Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak and Kugaaruk in the Kitikmeot are more traditional hamlets, but, to the chagrin of the elders, it is hard to find young people these days who will speak Inuktitut outside of the home.
Hey Seliah, Drumdancing comes in many different 'styles' depending on where it is coming from - the Eastern Arctic (Baffin) has one style, the Central Arctic (Kitikmeot and Kivalliq) have a slightly different style and the Western Arctic (Inuvialuit) another style using much thinner sticks. Greenland Inuit also have their own interpretation. This particular style (drumming and clothing) comes from the Central/Western Arctic - from Kugluktuk (Coppermine). No one style is wrong. :)
@SilverDragoness, i don't know if there's a disc on learning inuktitut, as there are different dialects. As for this type of drum dancing, traditionally there are 5 differenty movements as this was to tell the story of hunting and/or a journey of an individual, also there would be a pisiq (song.) That would go with the drum dancing. i can't remember what the movements are called but my father would know.
its not completely true that the language is "dead", kuskokwim area here in Alaska, yupik language is spoken and understood in all ages.., you should see kids down from 2- 10yrs of ages speaking it, its so cute!! by the way love the outfits
@derrbarn14 , Inuit and Natives are two very different cultures. We're just in the same country, you sort of like comparing a Britishman with an Irishman
i am also from nunavut, here in the kivalliq region inuktituut is very much alive & is spoken fluently by both elders & youth & even very young children.... in arviat & repulse bay the main language used there is inuktituut, so please becareful in saying that nunavut youth don't use it.
Hi Scotty - thanks for clearing this up - I didn't know your names, but I knew the three of you were from Kugluktuk. We shot a lot of video that weekend for Qauijisaut on Inuit Broadcasting, and your dance was by far the most mesmerizing. I'm in Inuvik now involved in booking traditional events - what are the three of you doing this summer? :) Tony
This is very nice. What kind of leather do they use to make the drums? It's so dark - maybe a walrus or seal skin, (black rhino? just kidding) I only know about deer and elk skins and none are that dark even with hours of smoking them. Thanks for taking us to this place where not many get to go.
@canuckjazzman Its the same issue we have in Greenland. In the capital, Nuuk, everyone is so into Danish. But all go in small things, like drum dancing and singing. You guys are gonna join ICC, Nuuk, this summer?
I live almost as far south as you can get in Canada, but I wish we were more exposed to Northern culture. Do young people in Gjoa Haven speak Inuktitut? Is it taught in schools? I can read about this anywhere, but it would be nice to get information from someone who really knows. Thank you.
Hot! So proud as an Asian how Asian you guys look and are too if that makes any sense lol like can even say the Asian in the simple drumming. Don't know why you guys aren't more known by others as Asian:(
yeah I agree with people that are saying that is not the way we drum dance, there is supposed to be only one person doing the drum dance but there are 3 of them.....That is how we drum dane in our traditional haritage......
