Echoes of the Arctic: The power of Inuit throat singing
Inuit throat singing—known as katajjaq—is more than music. It’s a living expression of Inuit history, land and kinship. Traditionally performed by women in pairs, katajjaq uses deep, rhythmic vocal sounds that mimic the Arctic: wind, water, birds and even animals like wolves or caribou.
What might sound playful or primal to unfamiliar ears is actually an ancient art form passed from generation to generation. In some cases, it was a way to pass time during long, dark winters. In others, it was a friendly competition, where singers would take turns leading and following until one laughed or broke rhythm.
Banned by missionaries in the 20th century, throat singing has seen a powerful resurgence in recent years. Today, artists like Tanya Tagaq, Silla and Rise, and PIQSIQ are not only reclaiming this art form but blending it with new genres to carry Inuit sound into global spaces.
Throat singing is a celebration of identity, land and resilience—and it reminds us that language, sound and spirit are deeply intertwined.
