Journal: JOIKING

To what extent can our visceral emotions transcend language? Is it possible to "understand" without comprehending the words?

A Sami from Lapland in the north of Scandinavia

Jon Henrik is an orphan from Colombia who was adopted by reindeer herders from the Sami tribes of Northern Scandinavia. He was bullied as a kid for his dark skin. His best friend Daniel died of diabetes and when Jon went into the forest and cried this joik (a very spiritual thing) "came to him". He believes it came from Daniel and sings it in his honor. All the money he he won from "Sweden's Got Talent" he used to start a diabetes foundation.

As we watch, I will interpret what they say in Swedish. Listen intently and think about howJon's performance makes YOU feel...but also watch the judges' reactions carefully.

What is a JOIK?

It's an expression of the spirit, somewhat like a chant. Most are about nature or specific people, and the Sami believe that spirits (the fairies) "give" them the joik so they may express it. Joiking was once outlawed as Scandinavia was becoming Christianized in an attempt to dispel traditional, pagan ways. Nowadays the Sami hold a competition called "The Grand Prix".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joik

JOURNALLING:

Can you decipher these Joiks? Find a quiet place or use headphones and listen. Jot down everything you think about as you hear these joiks - sort of in a stream of consciousness list.

Then write a a bit about language and emotion - in what ways is language "impoverished" when it comes to expressing emotion? Cold music be considered a language? What other things might transcend language, in that we wouldn't need to understand the words being said to understand the intention?

In case video is not showing here is the link: https://youtu.be/9xUWEi3RfpU

In case video is not showing here is the direct link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odpREEp-uOo&feature=youtu.be