Hip Hop Thrives in the Arctic

    1. Beck From the Dead   Time 2007-11-29 18:42
    2.    
  • More and more Inuit youth in the Arctic communities on Baffin Island are getting excited about Hip Hop dance. Learn about the power of Hip Hop through Will Steger's Expedition tothe Canadian Arctic...Dancing has been part of Inuit culture for centuries. Kilaujaq, thetraditional drum dance of the Arctic, is an excellent example ofthis. "Square dance, hip hop, drum dance, it's all the same...to behappy with other people" explaines Inuit elder Marie Airut. "When wewant to have a good time, or be with other people, we dance.[Kilaujaq] is something we do for special occasions if we want tocelebrate something. We invite people into a huge igloo for a bigdrum dance. In my culture only the man plays the drum (known as aqilaut) and the ladies sing the song...aye ya ya. I know how to singthis song."Both hip hop and Kilaujaq are represented on the black sweatshirt thedancers wear around town. On the back, printed in yellow graffittiletters, is the word 'Sapilqtailigit'. "This means 'Don't Give Up",explained a young man. "Drugs and alcohol are a reality for someyoung people here. Some struggle with suicide. We don't wan't peopleto give up their hopes and dreams." Many see hip hop as a healthyalternative for young people in the Arctic, providing a release foranger and restlessness on the dance floor. Seeing the pride andconfidence in the Inuit dancers was an inspiration to all us of luckyto catch their performance.
  • Tag: »Arctic »Dance »Exploration »Global »Hip »Hop »Inuit »Nonprofit »Steger »Warming »Will
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