Yoking with the Spirits: Sami Sound Rituals and Acoustics of Sacred Sites, via MS Teams, on April 17th
12.04.2023
- The University of Helsinki Archaeoacoustic Group has recently began exploring acoustics of the Sami sacred sites in relation to their ritual practices. The sites are vertical rocks often situated by lakes and rising directly from water, producing strong and accurate sound reflections.
- According to early historical records, these site were associated with shamanic rituals, in which the Sami yoiked to awake the spirits of the place and fall into trance.
- Hypothetically, those special yoiks dedicated to the sacred sites could be linked to the site acoustics. In the course of our research, we have been collecting Sami beliefs regarding their sacred sites, information about religious practices, stories about spirits and nature beings, and yoiks that could possibly pertain to the shamanic rituals.
- The study encompasses material from all Sami groups, such as Northern, Southwestern and Eastern Sami found from the archives in Finland, Sweden and Norway and early ethnographic sources.
- Beliefs and religious practices are analysed for echo components, whereas yoiks identified as sacred are analysed for acoustically interesting elements.
- This presentation highlights our understanding of the Sami sacred yoiks and their sacred sites from the acoustic perspective. We will follow ethnographic sources and take a close look at the yoik texts, melodic structures, and vocal gestures.
- Lecture will be held by Julia Schpinitskaya.
- Microsoft Teams meeting:
Click here to join the meeting - Information: mare.kalda@folklore.ee
