Drum Dancing

The Inuit drum, Qilaut was traditionally made from driftwood and caribou skin, with seal or walrus skin around the handle or with or other materials available. Inuit drum to celebrate. Common celebrations are for a birth, marriage, a boy's first hunt and to welcome Spring. In many Inuit communities; drumming was mostly done by men.

Inuit drumming was once banned in many communities when missionaries and government were not comfortable with Inuit ways. At this time drumming was done in private to kept this strong tradition alive.

Siqiniup Qilauta Inuit performance group uses drums that are in the style of the traditional Inuit drum but made out of modern material. The drums more likely used today are made with nylon and wood, which is easier to care for; because traditional drums do not keep well in the humidity and heat in Ottawa. Siqiniup Qilauta drum dances to traditional songs but often in a more contemporary style of drumming; adding their own creative movements.
Kattajjaq/Throat Singing

Throat Singing was most commonly done by women as a friendly competition. It is done by imitating sounds of animals and other sounds from the Arctic environment. The competition is to see who can go longer without making a mistake and it ends with laughter to show a mistake was made. The group sings throat songs that inmitate the sounds of: The Saw, Geese, Seagulls, the River, Mosquitos and the Wind. They also perform a throat song about, A poor little puppy that a little girl wished to be the leader of the dog team-Qimiruluapik. There are also many competition songs, that are meant to see who can trick the other person first by changing the rhythm or adding different sounds. Most of the throat songs Siqiniup Qilauta do are old and created by Inuit women from different communities.

Traditional Songs

There are various Inuit songs, the songs that people would sing while drum dancing is now known as an ajaaja song. In the past, individuals would have their own ajaaja song that were unique to them and about their personal life experience. There are also many songs that have been past down through many generations. The songs could be about celebrations, games, personal stories, hardships and songs to sing to kids.

Inuit Games

If requested, the group can demonstrate Inuit games, such as leg wrestling, arm pull, one foot high kick, two feet high kick, and other Northern sports. The group can also make the performance interactive, especially with children with fun Inuit contests.

 
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