Take A Musical Trip - Music of the Inupiaq Language - Northwest Alaska
Music of the Inupiaq Language and Music - Northwest Alaska
The music created by the Alaska Native people in Northwest Alaska is a combination of the inupiaq language and the beat of traditional drums. Also known as eskimo dancing. The eskimo dancing is a traditional inuit style dancing form usually performed to songs in the Native language, with dances choreographed for specific songs. The Alaska Native People use the music to tell stories of subsistence harvesting, showing the strength of the people, and often times some song/dances belong to a family.
The picture below is the native drums made with stretched seal skin and wooden frame. The music is made by hitting the drums and singing in the native language.
The two different types of musical selection I chose to describe eskimo dance music is repetitive patterns and tempo. The drum beat of eskimo dance music is created by repetitive patterns, the tempo stays the same and then when the song is finished they sing the song again with a higher tempo.
Pictured below is the men drumming and singing and the performers are in front.
Inupiaq music and dancing:
Shaylin, that's interesting! It's like telling a story through music and dance, a beautiful way to express cultural values and traditions. I can imagine how powerful it must feel to convey stories of subsistence harvesting and the strength of the community through dance. It's so amazing how art can preserve and share traditions. I would love to witness an Eskimo dance performance someday! The museum in Anchorage has an interesting exhibit that you should check out!
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