The “yoik”: Personal Chants from the European Arctic

It was once said that the Sámi were “the only people who do not sing.” Yet in the far north of Europe lives a vocal tradition unlike any other: the yoik. More than a song in the conventional sense, a yoik is a short, often wordless melody that evokes a person, an animal, a place, or a cherished memory. In a culture shaped by reindeer herding and a nomadic way of life, every individual, child or adult, has their own melody, a sonic reflection of their identity.

Rooted in ancient times and carrying traces of shamanic practice, the yoik is also a living tradition, woven into everyday Sámi life. It may be sung while walking, by the fire, or simply to bring someone or something close. Today, the yoik resonates not only in intimate settings but also on stage, where it shines as a moving and powerful art form.

On this evening, Stéphane Aubinet, Doctor of Humanities and researcher at the University of Oslo, will guide you into this fascinating world. His internationally acclaimed studies on Sámi singing and lullabies across cultures shed light on the evocative power of melodies. With his insight and passion, the yoik emerges as more than music: a way of knowing, remembering, and feeling, captured in sound.

What are ICTMD Talks?

ICTMD Talks are a series of courses on 4 different musical traditions and the culture from which they emerge. Each of the 4 sessions will be dedicated to a different musical style, repertoire and related area, presented by specialists from the world of music, academia or enthusiasts of the musical style in question. We will present a diversity of perspectives to discuss these musical traditions, highlighting the context of performance, the conditions of the musical tradition’s existence and the events that have marked its history. In a friendly atmosphere, seated in the foyer of the Espace Buen Vivir, participants will be able to exchange ideas after the specialist’s presentation.

In collaboration with ICTMD Belgium