Inuit throat singing

Date

20.04.26

Inuit throat singing, also known as katajjaq (Inuktitut: ᑲᑕᔾᔭᖅ), is a special kind of singing that is only found among the Inuit people. It is a musical activity where two women sing together in a close face-to-face position without using any instruments. They compete in a fun contest to see who can sing longer. However, one well-known singer, Tanya Tagaq, performs alone. Some musical groups, such as Tudjaat, The Jerry Cans, Quantum Tangle, and Silla + Rise, mix traditional throat singing with modern music styles like pop, folk, rock, and dance.

A similar practice called rekuhkara was once done by the Ainu people of Hokkaidō, Japan.

Names

The name for throat singing in Canada depends on the area:

Iirngaaq – used in some communities in Nunavut
Piqqusiraarniq or Pirkusirtuk – used in Igloolik and Baffin Island
Qiarvaaqtuq – used in Arviat
Katajjaq or Katadjak – used in Nunavik and South Baffin
Nipaquhiit – used in some communities in Nunavut

History

Katajjaq was a way for Inuit women to entertain themselves when men were hunting. It was not considered music but a type of vocal or breathing game in Inuit culture. The sounds of katajjiniq can resemble rhythmic and harmonious panting. Inuit throat singing can also copy sounds like wind, water, animals, and other everyday noises.

This playful activity shows a long tradition of passing down knowledge about nature, the environment, and throat singing techniques among women in Nunavik, a region in northern Quebec. Over many generations, the Inuit shared these traditions. Katajjaniq has special and unique ways of expressing itself. Although Inuit throat singing is no longer used to bring hunters back quickly, attract animals, or influence nature, it still serves purposes like entertainment and helping groups stay connected.

Today, katajjaniq remains important in Inuit communities in Quebec. It is part of special events, holidays, and cultural celebrations in Nunavik. It is a source of pride and a strong symbol of Inuit identity. The Inuit see katajjaniq as an important part of their cultural heritage.

Performance

Two women stand facing each other, holding each other’s arms. They may move in dance-like ways while singing, such as shifting balance from side to side. One singer begins by repeating a short rhythmic pattern with short pauses between each repeat. The other singer fills the pauses with a different rhythmic pattern. Sounds used include those made with the voice (voiced) and those made without vocal sounds (unvoiced), created by breathing in or out. The participant who runs out of breath or cannot keep the rhythm of the other singer will laugh or stop, and will be removed from the game. The game usually lasts one to three minutes. The winner is the singer who successfully removes the most opponents.

At one time, the singers’ lips nearly touched, allowing one singer to use the other’s mouth as a sound amplifier, but this is rare today. Often, the singing is paired with rhythmic shuffling from one foot to the other. The sounds used can be real words, made-up syllables, or created during breathing.

Notable performers

Notable performers include Tanya Tagaq, who performs in a modern style, and The Jerry Cans, who use throat singing by band member Nancy Mike as a musical and rhythmic element in a traditional folk rock sound. Traditional performers include Qaunak Mikkigak, Kathleen Ivaluarjuk Merritt, as well as Alacie Tullaugaq and Lucy Amarualik, who perform in the Katajjaq style.