Sound mimesis in various cultures
- 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,[Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 56, 76] ][Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 64] ][ [http://www.uit.no/ssweb/dok/Somby/Ande/95.htm Somby 1995] ] ][Szomjas-Schiffert 1996: 74] some other shamanic songs and rituals,][Diószegi 1960: 203] ][Hoppál 2005: 92] ][ [http://haldjas.folklore.ee/~aado/tent.htm Lintrop] ] overtone singing of some cultures). It may serve also such practical goals as luring in the hunt;][ or entertainment (katajjaqs of Inuit).]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. [cite web |title=Song ond sound mimesis|publisher=Foundation for Endangered Languages |url=http://www.ogmios.org/164.htm]
Fields
Shamanism
Shamanism in various cultures shows great diversity.[Hoppál 2005: 15] In some cultures, the music or songs related to shamanistic practice may mimic natural sounds, sometimes with onomatopoiea.][ [http://dasa.baua.de/nn_35984/sid_2C8A99B3F31A58C62BBE3312986DC568/nsc_true/de/Presse/Pressematerialien/Sonderausstellung_20Macht_20Musik/Schamanen-Musik.pdf Hoppál 2006: 143] ] ] 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.[Nattiez: 5] ][ [http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/inuit.htm Deschênes 2002] ] ] 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.Some Eskimo peoples used a tool (shaped like a claw) to scratch the ice of the frozen sea: seals, these intelligent and curious animals were attracted by that sound. [Burch & Forman 1988: 56–57] [Birket-Smith 1969: 127]
See also
* Prehistoric music
* Onomatopoeia
* Vocal learning
Notes
References
* Translation of the original: cite book |last=Birket-Smith |first=Kaj |title=The Paths of Culture. A General Ethnology |publisher=The University of Wisconsin Press |location=Madison • Milwaukee |year=1965
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* The book has been translated to English: cite book |last=Diószegi |first=Vilmos |title=Tracing shamans in Siberia. The story of an ethnographical research expedition |others=Translated from Hungarian by Anita Rajkay Babó |publisher=Anthropological Publications |location=Oosterhout |year=1968
* The title means “Shamans in Eurasia”, the book is published also in German, Estonian and Finnish. [http://www.akkrt.hu/main.php?folderID=906&pn=2&cnt=31&catID=&prodID=17202&pdetails=1 Site of publisher with short description on the book (in Hungarian)] .
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*. The songs are [http://www.ubu.com/ethno/soundings/inuit.html online available] from the ethnopoetics website curated by Jerome Rothenberg.
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* The title means: “The magic drum and the clairvoyant women. Sami folktales”, the series means: “Tales of folks”.
External links
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