Inuit throat singing

Date

20.04.26

Inuit throat singing, also known as katajjaq (Inuktitut: ᑲᑕᔾᔭᖅ), is a special kind of music unique to the Inuit people. It is traditionally performed by two women who sing together in a close, face-to-face position without using any instruments. The singers compete in a fun contest to see who can last longer. However, one well-known performer, Tanya Tagaq, sings alone. Some groups, such as Tudjaat, The Jerry Cans, Quantum Tangle, and Silla + Rise, mix traditional throat singing with other 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 changes based on where people live:

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

History

Katajjaq was a type of entertainment for Inuit women while men were away hunting. In Inuit culture, it was seen as more of a vocal or breathing game rather than a form of music. The sounds of katajjiniq can create the impression of 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 knowledge through spoken words among women in Nunavik, a region in northern Quebec. Over many generations, the Inuit shared knowledge about nature, the environment, and the techniques used in throat singing. Katajjaniq has rare and unique ways of expressing ideas. Although Inuit throat singing is no longer used to bring back hunters, attract animals, or influence nature, it still serves some of its original purposes, such as entertainment and helping people work together.

Katajjaniq remains important in Inuit communities in Quebec. It is still part of special events, holidays, cultural celebrations, and political gatherings in Nunavik. It is a source of pride and a strong symbol of identity for the Inuit people. 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 a dance-like way while singing, such as balancing from side to side. One singer begins by repeating a short rhythmic pattern with short pauses between each repetition. The other singer fills the pauses with a different rhythmic pattern. The sounds used include both voiced and unvoiced sounds, made by inhaling or exhaling. The person who runs out of breath or cannot keep the same rhythm as the other singer will laugh or stop, and they will be eliminated from the game. The game usually lasts one to three minutes. The winner is the singer who eliminates the most people.

At one time, the singers’ lips nearly touched, allowing one singer to use the other’s mouth as a resonator to amplify sound. This practice is now rare. Often, the singing is accompanied by a rhythmic shuffling of one foot to the other. The sounds used can be real words, nonsense syllables, or sounds made during exhalation.

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 part of their 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.