Sound mimesis in various cultures

The imitation of natural sounds in various cultures is a diverse phenomenon and can fill in various functions. In several instances, it is related to the belief system (yoiks of the Sami,^[1][2][3][4] some other shamanic songs and rituals,^[5][6][7] overtone singing of some cultures). It may serve also such practical goals as luring in the hunt;^[8] or entertainment (katajjaqs of Inuit).^[8][9]

Among some peoples of the Altai-Sayan region, including Tofa, the ability to mimic sounds of the environment includes hunting calls, and is present also in a traditional singing tradition preserved only by some old people.^[10]

Fields

Shamanism

Shamanism in various cultures shows great diversity.^[11] In some cultures, the music or songs related to shamanistic practice may mimic natural sounds, sometimes with onomatopoiea.^[12]

Entertainment

The intention to mimic natural sounds is not necessarily linked to shamanistic beliefs or practice alone. Katajjaq (a "genre" of music of some Inuit groups) is a game played by women, for entertainment. In some instances, natural sounds (mostly those of animals, e.g. geese) are imitated.^[8][9]

Luring animals

The kind of katajjaq mentioned above, which mimics the cry of geese, shows some similarities with the practice of the hunters to lure game.^[8]

Some Eskimo peoples used a tool (shaped like a claw) to scratch the ice of the frozen sea in order to attract seals.^[13][14]

See also

• Onomatopoeia
• Prehistoric music
• Vocal learning

Notes

1. Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 56, 76
2. Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 64
3. Somby 1995
4. Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 74
5. Diószegi 1960: 203
6. Hoppál 2005: 92
7. Lintrop
8. Nattiez: 5
9. Deschênes 2002
10. "Song ond sound mimesis". Foundation for Endangered Languages.
11. Hoppál 2005: 15
12. Hoppál 2006: 143
13. Burch & Forman 1988: 56–57
14. Birket-Smith 1969: 127

References

• Birket-Smith, Kaj (1969). A kultúra ösvényei. Általános etnológia (in Hungarian). Budapest: Gondolat. Translation of the original: Birket-Smith, Kaj (1965). The Paths of Culture. A General Ethnology. Madison • Milwaukee: The University of Wisconsin Press.
• Burch, Ernest S. (junior); Forman, Werner (1988). The Eskimos. Norman, Oklahoma 73018, USA: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-2126-2.
• Deschênes, Bruno (2002). "Inuit Throat-Singing". Musical Traditions. The Magazine for Traditional Music Throughout the World.
• Diószegi, Vilmos (1960). Sámánok nyomában Szibéria földjén. Egy néprajzi kutatóút története (in Hungarian). Budapest: Magvető Könyvkiadó. The book has been translated to English: Diószegi, Vilmos (1968). Tracing shamans in Siberia. The story of an ethnographical research expedition. Translated from Hungarian by Anita Rajkay Babó. Oosterhout: Anthropological Publications.
• Hoppál, Mihály (2005). Sámánok Eurázsiában (in Hungarian). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó. ISBN 963-05-8295-3. The title means “Shamans in Eurasia”, the book is published also in German, Estonian and Finnish. Site of publisher with short description on the book (in Hungarian).
• Hoppál, Mihály (2006). "Music of Shamanic Healing" (PDF). In Gerhard Kilger. Macht Musik. Musik als Glück und Nutzen für das Leben. Köln: Wienand Verlag. ISBN 3-87909-865-4.
• Lintrop, Aarno. "The Clean Tent Rite". Studies in Siberian shamanism and religions of the Finno-Ugric peoples.
• Nattiez, Jean Jacques. "Inuit Games and Songs • Chants et Jeux des Inuit". Musiques & musiciens du monde • Musics & musicians of the world. Montreal: Research Group in Musical Semiotics, Faculty of Music, University of Montreal.. The songs are online available from the ethnopoetics website curated by Jerome Rothenberg.
• Somby, Ánde (1995). "Joik and the theory of knowledge".
• Szomjas-Schiffert, György (1996). Lapp sámánok énekes hagyománya • Singing tradition of Lapp shamans (in Hungarian and English). Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó. ISBN 963-05-6940-X.
• Voigt, Vilmos (1966). A varázsdob és a látó asszonyok. Lapp népmesék. Népek meséi (in Hungarian). Budapest: Európa Könyvkiadó. The title means: “The magic drum and the clairvoyant women. Sami folktales”, the series means: “Tales of folks”.

External links

• Hoppál, Mihály (2006). "Music of Shamanic Healing" (PDF). In Gerhard Kilger. Macht Musik. Musik als Glück und Nutzen für das Leben. Köln: Wienand Verlag. ISBN 3-87909-865-4.
• "Pygmies of Southern Congo Imitating Forest Animals" (streamed video). Afrique Profonde.
• Mamcheva, Natalia (2004). "Aspects of the Music of the Nivkhs". Pacific Rim Music Festival, Ancient Sakhalin in Music, Song and Dance. Ensemble XXI. Translated from Russian by Lygia O'Riordan.