Item : The Ptarmigan's Weather Song A01

Geographic and cultural informations

Location

Alaska

Location details

Kotzebue et Nome

Language (ISO norm)

Inupiaq

Population / social group

Inuit

Ethnographic context

Weather song. The weather songs, called "seelyahtsun," were composed either by a shaman (angatkok) or by someone else with unusual powers and influence. Many of them invoked the name of Sila, the spirit of air, weather, and the universe.Weather power songs could be purchased, but had to be used with discretion so that their power would not be abused. Many Eskimos have testified to their efficacy, and there are many who believe that weather can be controlled or affected by the singing of these songs, because they know that this has happened in the past.

Here is a story about a ptarmigan who owned a weather power song and taught it to an Eskimo. This story and song were meant to entertain the children, but most of the weather song have the serious purpose of helping the Eskimo in his fight to survive the harsh environment in which he lives.

Musical informations

Archiving data

Code

CNRSMH_E_1974_014_003_001

Original code

DI.1974.014.003A01

Item number

A01

Remarks

Last modification

Nov. 29, 2022, 9:46 a.m.