Silversea Expeditions: Inuit Throat Singing

While in Kinngait, Nunavut, Inuit throat singers Louisa Parr and Nipisha Peter joined us aboard the ship.

Inuit throat singing, known as katajjaq, is a unique and ancient form of musical expression practiced predominantly by Inuit women.

This captivating art form involves two singers standing face-to-face, engaging in a vocal contest that combines rhythmic inhalations and exhalations to produce a series of resonant, guttural sounds.

Traditionally, these performances served as a form of entertainment and social bonding while the men were away on long hunting trips.

The technique of katajjaq is characterized by its use of the throat, diaphragm, and belly to create a range of sounds, including hums, gasps, grunts, and growls. The singers often hold each other’s arms and sway or rock in unison, adding a visual element to the performance. The goal is to outlast the other singer, with the contest often ending in laughter when one participant can no longer continue.

We all enjoyed this glimpse into the Inuit culture and were transfixed by the performances of these delightful sisters.

Stay tuned for more of our exciting adventures as we sail the Arctic with Silversea Expeditions over the next 14 days.

For more information or to book an exciting Silversea Expedition cruise, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40