Musikkens rituelle betydning i samisk før-kristen tradisjon

Rock carvings at the Alta World Heritage Site suggest that drumming traditions among pre-Christian Sami shamans date back thousands of years, potentially from the Stone Age to present-day practices. The study highlights two key ritual musical elements: yoiking (a form of singing) and drum use, with the latter involving either trance induction or rhythmic drumming to land a brass ring on painted symbols. Yoiking served as a primary tool for spiritual communication, creating a space between humans and spirits. While historical sources must be interpreted cautiously due to societal biases, the findings indicate continuity in Sami ritual traditions despite Christian missionary interference that destroyed or confiscated drums.

Graff, O. (2022). Musikkens rituelle betydning i samisk før-kristen tradisjon. Musikk Og Religion: Tekster Om Musikk I Religion Og Religion I Musikk, 345–365. https://doi.org/10.23865/noasp.177.ch18