A fusion of cultures

With Christmas rapidly approaching our Inuit guests decided that a Ceilidh was in order and soon the house was echoing with the sounds of drumming.

The Inuit drum is a traditional instrument seen across the north. Drumming was primarily done by men in most communities but not always the case. Drumming was performed at various celebrations, whether it was celebrating the first successful hunt of a young boy or the birth of a child. Drumming was once banned by Christian missionaries and government as it was was seen to be unholy or represented a danger to the philosophies to the church. In the modern day Inuit can proudly be seen and heard celebrating an event or their culture once again.

Inuit drums were traditionally made from caribou skin stretched over driftwood which was softened and made into a ring. The drum has a handle which protrudes downward to hold and rotate the drum. The handle was often covered in fur such as seal skin. The Inuit drum is played differently than most drums in that it is not the skin which is struck but rather the rim of the drum. You can see drummers in action in this short video.

Information from: The Inuit Cultural Online Resource