Sound recordist Chris Watson travels beyond the Arctic Circle to record Ande Somby, a traditional Sami yoiker.
Another chance to hear NATURE in which sound recordist Chris Watson captures the remarkable chants of AndΓ© Somby, a Sami yoiker. Yoiks are traditional Sami chants, which come from the earth and are largely inspired by natural world. When AndΓ© invited sound recordist Chris Watson to record him yoiking near Kvalnes in the Lofoten Islands in Norway, Chris had no idea what an extraordinary and challenging experience this would be - not only to travel north of the Arctic Circle to record these ancient chants but also to gain an insight into the culture and beliefs of the Sami People. As a westerner he was about to step into a very different world. There are yoiks for people, animals and land. In the Sami tradition it's important for everyone to have a yoik; it's as important as being given a name, and for AndΓ©, it's the Wolf yoik which has a special significance. For the recording of this and other yoiks, AndΓ© led Chris up a very steep mountain to a small lake in a crater. Standing by the lake edge, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the air is filled with most extraordinary sounds as AndΓ© performs his yoiks. Yoiking is far more than just a performance, it is a much deeper connection with the earth; when a yoiker sings about an animal, for example, he believes he becomes that animal. Producer Sarah Blunt.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Wed 22 Jun 2016 21:00Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Mon 22 May 2017 23:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4