Inu-Yupiaq
Encyclopedia
Inu-Yupiaq Dancing is a unique way of passing on the Inupiat and Yup’ik Eskimo
motion dance stories to a younger generation, which teaches people about the Iñupiaq and Yup’ik Eskimo culture. Inu-Yupiaq is a very unusual, diverse dance group which combines Inupiaq, Cupik, Siberian-Yup’ik and Yup’ik Eskimo motion dancing from all around Alaska
, which the group's dancers represent as student attending University of Alaska, Fairbanks
.
The Inu-Yupiaq Dance Group was formed in the year of 1995. The songs and dances are presented or traded to the group, or the members create new modern (yet traditional) songs. Thus, the songs used can be many generations old, or as young as a few weeks.
Iñupiaq Eskimo songs are usually consisted of two or three parts, usually song together. The first part is sung with a soft drum beat. The second part is sung same as the first, but with a harder drum beat. The third (if any), is the same as the second, but with no voices sung, just the drum beat.
Yup'ik Eskimo songs are more complex and longer. Here is a diagram of a typical Yup'ik Eskimo song.
Mengluni [meng loony] or Ciuqlia [Jew q ła] (The Beginning)
A - Voice and soft drum beat
h - Very similar to A, but a harder drum beat
Apallum Ciuqlia [ab aa łoom Jew q ła] (The first verse)
B - This is modernly called the verse. This is slightly different than A and h, but continues the story of the song.
h - Same as 'h' above
Akuli (a goo lee] (In between)
A - Same as 'A' above
h - Same as 'h' above
Apallum Kinguqlia [ab aa łoom king oo q łia (The second versel)
C - Similar to B, but continues the story after B.
h - Same as 'h' above
Pamyua [bum yoa] (Ending, or its tail)
C - Same as 'A' above.
h - Same as 'h' above
Some Yup'ik songs are constructed with only the Mengluni, Akuli, and Pamyua. Also, shorter Yup'ik songs are constructed with only the Mengluni and Pamyua.
All Eskimo songs tell stories with songs and dances.
Eskimo
Eskimos or Inuit–Yupik peoples are indigenous peoples who have traditionally inhabited the circumpolar region from eastern Siberia , across Alaska , Canada, and Greenland....
motion dance stories to a younger generation, which teaches people about the Iñupiaq and Yup’ik Eskimo culture. Inu-Yupiaq is a very unusual, diverse dance group which combines Inupiaq, Cupik, Siberian-Yup’ik and Yup’ik Eskimo motion dancing from all around Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, which the group's dancers represent as student attending University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Fairbanks
Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community...
.
The Inu-Yupiaq Dance Group was formed in the year of 1995. The songs and dances are presented or traded to the group, or the members create new modern (yet traditional) songs. Thus, the songs used can be many generations old, or as young as a few weeks.
Eskimo Songs in Brief
Eskimo songs are sung with voices and circular drums. These drums can be made with wood, ivory, antler, a sea mammal's stomach or bladder, parachute material, or non-rip nylon. Iñupiaq and Yup’ik Eskimo songs and dancers are similar, but have their differences.Iñupiaq Eskimo songs are usually consisted of two or three parts, usually song together. The first part is sung with a soft drum beat. The second part is sung same as the first, but with a harder drum beat. The third (if any), is the same as the second, but with no voices sung, just the drum beat.
Yup'ik Eskimo songs are more complex and longer. Here is a diagram of a typical Yup'ik Eskimo song.
Mengluni [meng loony] or Ciuqlia [Jew q ła] (The Beginning)
A - Voice and soft drum beat
h - Very similar to A, but a harder drum beat
Apallum Ciuqlia [ab aa łoom Jew q ła] (The first verse)
B - This is modernly called the verse. This is slightly different than A and h, but continues the story of the song.
h - Same as 'h' above
Akuli (a goo lee] (In between)
A - Same as 'A' above
h - Same as 'h' above
Apallum Kinguqlia [ab aa łoom king oo q łia (The second versel)
C - Similar to B, but continues the story after B.
h - Same as 'h' above
Pamyua [bum yoa] (Ending, or its tail)
C - Same as 'A' above.
h - Same as 'h' above
Some Yup'ik songs are constructed with only the Mengluni, Akuli, and Pamyua. Also, shorter Yup'ik songs are constructed with only the Mengluni and Pamyua.
All Eskimo songs tell stories with songs and dances.
External links
- http://inuyupiaqdancers.tripod.com/
- http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=2014738520
- http://www.alaska.edu/uaf/ruralss/clubs.xml
- http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Eskimo.html
- http://www.alaskanative.net/