Traditional Sami Clothing

Thunder Bay to Jokkmokk

View Larger Map

The Yoik

The yoik is one of the Sami styles of singing.

"Each joik is meant to reflect a person or place. This does not mean that it is a song about the person or place, but that the joiker is attempting to transfer "the essence" of that person or place into song - one joiks their friend, not about their friend. It usually has short lyrics or no lyrics at all. This type of song can be deeply personal or spiritual in nature. Improvisation is not unusual. However, there are other forms of joik (in the expanded sense of the word) that have a more epic type of lyrics. Joik is traditionally chanted a cappella and often dedicated to a human being, an animal, or a landscape as a personal signature.

In northern Sami areas, most joiks are personal, that is, tied to a specific person. A joik is often made for a person at the time he is born.

It has traditionally been sung a cappella, sometimes accompanied by a drum, but not a Sami drum which is used for ceremonial purposes only. It is sometimes set to other instruments. The tonality of joik is mostly pentatonic, but joikers are at liberty to use any tones they please."

Sofia Yannock is a Swedish/Sami Yoik/Pop/Jazz singer-songwriter. "Irene" is the first single from the album "Áššogáttis/By the Embers". 

The Arctic Circle

Where is Jokkmokk?

I was born in The Pas, Manitoba, Canada. North of 53. I lived in Lynn Lake and Leaf Rapids, two towns north of 56. The furthest north that I've been previously was in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (North of 62). I went to Churchill, Manitoba for a volleyball tournament in the winter of 1975. Churchill is North of 58. Jokkmokk is North of 66, north of the Arctic Circle.

When I transferred the map, the location of Jokkmokk disappeared. It's in the middle of the upper yellow area. Need to find a better map.

Welcome

This sign and the landscape reminds me of northern Manitoba where I grew up. I've seen the sky brooding like this. I don't know what the little circle above the "a" is called. I'd like to find out.

NEW! Adventures With Betty

Flying to Jokkmokk, Sweden in 22 sleeps for the Slow Food Indigenous Terra Madre. Thunder Bay, Toronto, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Jokkmokk. I'm very excited.

I've been sharing some of my discoveries on facebook, twitter and emails to friends. Reviving my blog. Enjoy!