Abstract
ABSTRACTMusic as a possible health-promoting agent has attained increasing academic and scientific interest over the last decades. Nonetheless, possible connections between indigenous singing traditions and health beyond traditional ceremonial healing practices are still under-researched worldwide.The Sami, the indigenous people living in Northern Fennoscandia, have a distinct ancient vocal music tradition called “yoik” practiced from immemorial times. The Sami share a history of assimilation with many indigenous people. During this period of nearly 400 years, yoik alongside other cultural markers was under hard pressure and even banned at times.Compared to other indigenous people in the Arctic, Sami public health shows few significant unfavourable differences to the majority population. The potential role of yoik as a protective health and resilience factor within the Sami culture is the topic of this review. We suggest a two stage model for the health promoting effects of yoik through i) emotion regulation and stress relief on the level of the individual, and ii) as a socio-cultural resilience factors within the Sami population. This review is to be understood as theory-building review article striving for a scholarly review of the literature.
Highlights
A characteristic cultural feature of the Sami, the indigenous people living in Fennoscandia [1], is its form of singing, the yoik [1]
We hypothesise that there may be an apparent benefit of yoik and yoik practice within the Sami culture that has protected this cultural marker from extinction
The aim of this review was to investigate the role of yoik as a potential health promoting factor within the Sami culture
Summary
A characteristic cultural feature of the Sami, the indigenous people living in Fennoscandia [1], is its form of singing, the yoik [1]. Yoik has particular vocal characteristics, an ancient history, and is still a living tradition within the Sami culture. What makes yoik distinct at least in some Sami-dominated areas is that it is practiced in many situations as part of everyday life. Since everything can be expressed as a yoik, people may accompany their daily activities with it. Yoik as traditional singing is a part of everyday life. Compared to other indigenous people in the Arctic, Sami public health shows few significant differences to the majority population. We assumed that yoik may have had and possibly still has a role as a health promoting and/ or resilience factor within the Sami culture
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
