Frequently Asked Questions

What is Traditional Sami Singing Styles?

Traditional Sami singing, known as Joik (or Yoik), is a distinctive vocal music tradition of the Sami people indigenous to northern Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula. Unlike Western music, a Joik is not typically “about” something but rather evokes the essence, spirit, or character of a person, animal, place, or feeling through unique melodic patterns, rhythmic vocalizations, and minimal or no lyrics.

Key facts about Traditional Sami Singing Styles

Key facts include: it is an ancient oral tradition passed down through generations; it often uses vocables (wordless sounds) rather than structured lyrics; it serves spiritual, storytelling, and emotional purposes; it was historically suppressed by colonial authorities but has seen a major cultural revival; and it is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.