Inuit Drum Dancing Of The Arctic

Like many other aboriginal cultures around the world, the Inuit of the Canadian Arctic have made use of drums in some of their traditional music for centuries. Inuit drum dancing played a part in many special occasions such as births, marriages, an Inuit boy's first hunt, changing of seasons, greetings for visitors or to honor someone who had passed away. News of these special events was spread by word of mouth and many Inuit traveled great distances to attend.

The Inuit drum called a qilaut was traditionally made from caribou skin with seal or walrus skin around the handle. Before, Inuit drum dancing was most commonly done by men but eventually both men and women performed it. There were various Inuit songs called ajaaja that were sung while drum dancing. In the past, many individuals had their own ajaaja songs that were unique to them and about their own personal life experiences. There were also many songs that were passed down through many generations of Inuit.

Like Inuit throat singing, the practice of Inuit drum dancing was banned by Christian missionaries for many years. Eventually, the Inuit regained their right to perform their drum dances. However, Inuit drum dancing is not as important today to Inuit life as it once was since western lifestyles have become such a big part of the northern Arctic. Inuit drum dancing is still sometimes performed at symbolic celebrations such as opening ceremonies for conferences, festivals, graduations and shows for tourists. Watching an Inuit drum dancer perform his or her music can be almost hypnotic and is one of the special treats from Inuit culture to be enjoyed by all. Inuit drum dancers are a common subject for Inuit art carvings and drawings. Inuit artists have even outfitted some of their animal subjects with Inuit drums.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca, an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.

---

Better Links Directory

The Dazzling Beauty of the Shwedagon Paya

The Shwedagon Paya is much more than just another temple.... Read More

Fictions Galore

FABULOUS: - Many 'fabulous' personages and concepts are created by... Read More

Game Theory - What Do Game Theory and Improv Theater Have in Common?

"Game" TheoryThis article was inspired by Mick Napier's book ?Improvise:... Read More

Bohemian Grove

"Bohemian Grove is 'the greatest men's party on Earth', according... Read More

Hip-hop Jewelry and Todays Stars

Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... Read More

Welcome to the Mind Revolution: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Living Between the Points

What does it mean to live "between the points?" What... Read More

The History of Body Piercings - Ancient and Fascinating Around the World

Body piercings have seen a resurgence of interest in the... Read More

In Seach Of Heroes - Matrimonial Heroes (Part One)

Just as our arrival at destination is tied to the... Read More

Native American Art Thunderbird

The thunderbird has been one of the most dominant icons... Read More

When We Was Kids In Chicago

Radio was the big communicator, back when I was a... Read More

The Masked Fool

The FoolMy first direct experience of the fool in masking... Read More

Native American Indian Art Wood Carvings of the Pacific Northwest

Native American Indian art in the American southwest is dominated... Read More

History of the Royal Barges - a Timeless Tradition

The history of the royal barges dates back to the... Read More

Jewelry and the Darkside: Fashionable Gothic Jewelry

No, by jewelry and the darkside, we are not referring... Read More

I, Ego, and Power

I: - A vowel that didn't appear in sacerdotal alphabets... Read More

Sir Francis Drake

FRANCIS DRAKE: - It is my perspective that history has... Read More

Saturn: Your Challenge to Become An Expert

The true meaning of Saturn is that he is the... Read More

The Saga of Puffed Wheat Anderson, A Minnesota Legend

I have no idea how old I was when I... Read More

What is Your Birthstone?

Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is.... Read More

Synchronized Swimming, Dolphin Cognition and Visualization

As humans become more technologically advanced and are able to... Read More

The New Age Movement

New Age - A Paradigm Shift to Divine Consciousness &... Read More

Marcus Garvey: A Symbol for Black Nationalism

My first kid's father named my son Marcus after legendary... Read More

Export/Import of Inuit Eskimo Art Sculpture Containing Whalebone or Ivory

The export of certain Inuit sculpture from Canada to other... Read More

Humans are not special, hate to break it to you

I hate to break it to you, but humans are... Read More

Dreaming of Love and Peace

She dreams of touring Europe and the US to sing... Read More