Throat Singing In the Inuit Culture

by Clint Leung

Originally, Inuit throat singing was a form of entertainment among Inuit women while the men were away on hunting trips.  It was an activity that was primarily done by Inuit women although there have been some men doing it as well.  In the Inuit language Inuktitut, throat singing is called katajjaq, pirkusirtuk or nipaquhiit depending on the Canadian Arctic region.  It was regarded more as a type of vocal or breathing game in the Inuit culture rather than a form of music.