Sámi CD Productions as Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage
Soft Power of Rooted, Cosmopolitan Indigeneity in the Music Industry
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1558/jwpm.23787Keywords:
intangible cultural heritage (ICH), cultural sustainability, soft power, Indigenous, music album, CD, Sámi, yoik/joikAbstract
The number of CDs starring Sámi Indigenous musicians from northern Europe peaked from 2000–2010 due to heavy funding from Norway, Finland and Sweden. Government reports argued that funding such Sámi cultural activities fulfilled the Nordic nations’ cultural heritage obligations under several international conventions, including UNSECO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Analysed here as expressions of soft power, the CDs successfully sustained the Sámi historical vocal expression yoik or joik, its creative practices and Sámi languages via a rooted cosmopolitan aesthetic of indigeneity. Through some song lyrics and visually, many CDs—distributed via international music industry channels—also resisted and subverted colonialism-derived relationships that made their funding possible. The article questions whether and how the CDs ultimately worked as an exertion of soft power for the nation states that funded them, and whether said lyrics and visuals fed into geopolitical decolonization or destabilization.
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Discography
Angelit. 2003. Reasons. Finland: Finlandia Records 0927-49873-2. Compact disc.
Boine, Mari. 2005. Gula gula. Norway: Lean/Universal Music 0044001778124. Compact disc.
Bongo, Anders. 2006. Sami albmot. Norway: Reinkjott-Marded CD-001. Compact disc.
Fjellheim, Frode. 2004. Aejlies gaaltije: An Arctic Mass. Bodo: Vuelie VUCD-801. Compact disc.
Gaino, Ole Larsen. 2009. Ludiin muitalan. Norway: DAT CD-48. Compact disc.
Gaup, Ante Mikkel Andersen, Lena Susanne Gaup, Sara Marielle and Lars Ailo Gaup. 2002. Ritnivuovddis luodit. Oslo: GAUP-01. Compact disc.
Intrigue. 2002. Heavyjoik. Norway: Luondu Music LM-0201. Compact disc.
Intrigue. 2003. Crossover. Norway: Luondu Music LM-0301. Compact disc.
Jannok, Sofia. 2008. Assogattis. Stockholm: Caprice Records 21801. Compact disc.
Kuhmunen, Iars-Ante. 2005. Birrasis. Idut ICD-052. Compact disc.
Morottaja, Mikkal Antti (Amoc). 2007. Kaccam. Finland: Tuupa Records TREC-007. Compact disc.
Niillas, Jvvar. 2002. Deh 2. Norway: Teosto Hommat CD-02. Compact disc.
Oskal, Berit Margrethe. 2010. Fargga. Norway: Matki Records BMOCD-02. Compact disc.
Saari, Wimme. 2003. Barru. Zen Master Records/Rockadillo Records ZENCD-2081. Compact disc.
Saari, Wimme. 2009. Mun. Zen Master Records/Rockadillo Records ZENCD-2131. Compact disc.
Sancuari. 2001. Norway: Sleangacuoivvat. DAT CD-33. Compact disc.
Sara Jr., Johan. 2008. Johan Sara Jr. in Turkey–Mino Mano. Norway and Sweden: Stierdna STI-01. Compact disc.
Sara Jr., Johan. 2013. Voi_Ice in Cube. Norway and Sweden: Stierdna STI06. Compact disc.
Skaidi. 2008. Where the Rivers Meet, DAT DATCD-44. Liner notes.
Various Artists. 2008. Salmmat. Inari: Yle Sami Radio and The Sami Parliament Finland. Compact disc.
Various Artists. 2009. Sami Grand Prix ’09. Norway: Rieban CD-14. Compact disc.
Vassvik, Torgeir. 2009. Sapmi. Oslo: Idut, CD-092. Compact disc.
Vilddas. 2000. Vilddas. Finland: Wood Productions WOOD-024. Compact disc.
Vilddas. 2012. Silbabarut. Finland: Tuupa Records TREC-025. Compact disc.
