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#38: Ánde Somby – Gufihttar (Underworld Fairie)

According to legend, the Sami people, who live mainly in northern Scandinavia, received the tradition of joik singing from Arctic elves and fairies. In pre-Christian times, this style of singing was an important part of ritual ceremonies, but it also offers scope for new ideas. Ánde Somby attempts to make contact with the spirits of nature through improvised joik pieces in order to inquire about their well-being. The aggressive exploitation of natural resources is causing them increasing distress, and climate change is also making life difficult for these mythical creatures. Ánde Somby's joiks were recorded in the Lofoten Islands in the summer of 2014.