Throat Singing In Inuit CultureWritten by Clint Leung
Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among Inuit women while 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 Inuit language Inuktitut, throat singing is called katajjaq, pirkusirtuk or nipaquhiit depending on Canadian Arctic region. It was regarded more as a type of vocal or breathing game in 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 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. Sounds produced can be voiced or unvoiced and produced by inhalation or exhalation. Both Inuktitut words and meaningless syllables are used in Inuit throat singing songs. However, when words are used in throat singing, no particular meaning is placed on them for a song. When meaningless syllables are used, they are often portrayals of sounds Inuit hear in their natural environment such as animal sounds or even water running down a creek. Popular Inuit throat singing songs are usually identified by first word or sound that is produced in each song. Inuit throat singing is a skill that has to be taught and developed. Inuit throat singers try to show their vocal abilities in a fun competitive manner and first one to either run out of breath, stop or laugh is declared loser of game. Each game usually lasts from one to three minutes. In a group of Inuit women, overall winner is one who beats largest number of her competitors in this fun filled activity.
| | Looking for Harvey Weinstein Book reviewWritten by Holly and Shirley Yanez
Book Review Looking for Harvey Weinstein Brassy, ballsy and full of energy. A totem of two women’s struggle to do something worthwhile in life, it certainly knows how to serve up endless comical observations. This is what comedy is supposed to be. The delivery, too, is polished, every line, every joke, enhancing material, making for a thoroughly enjoyable read. The women and their breathless brand of glamorous, gossipy, camp, snobby, self-deprecating, fast-paced banter is second to none but it is delivery that sells this story, as this story, is a reality they live every day. This out of box, true tawdry tale, brags an A list celebrity cast of characters for real but side splitting comedy is served up at expense of two unknown likely lasses from North of England. Two fatal mistakes, namely jailers, an anonymous pair of devastatingly handsome Latino American brothers, natives of Los Angeles and two Brits find themselves trapped in Hollywood where water list is more extensive than wine list, smoking is a hanging offence and cheese can only be found between athletes foot infested toes of every all American wannabe. Written in third person, it gives a voyeuristic peak into rarely told but more frequently experienced Hollywood; that is, if you’re a nobody.
|