Kulning
Kulning (only in Sweden; Kauking in Norway and Härjedalen - Jämtland ) refers to a vocal technique related to yodelling or joik , which was used on alpine pastures in Sweden and Norway, but also in Finland , for communication, to call grazing animals together, or to deter predators such as wolves and bears . The corresponding verb is kula or kauke or kauka . Since women have mostly looked after the animals since the Middle Ages, Kulning is mostly done by women.
A Kulning consists of richly decorated melodies , traditionally either improvised or with a (former) function of an informally agreed signal. With a very powerful voice in a high pitch without vibrato, these sounds that can be heard over many kilometers are produced. It is more likely to be sung, as this is easier, in contrast to shouting, and is gentle on the vocal cords.
In the past, the Kulning was not seen as music at all , but only as a tool necessary for keeping cattle. Nevertheless, it was also a popular means of conversing in solitude or between mountain pastures that were far apart, and making it beautiful was very much appreciated. Today it is increasingly found in Swedish and Norwegian folk and pop music . Competitions in cow curling and courses to gain strength show that even today the focus is not always only on the musical aspect.
Singing technique is represented several times in Andrej Tarkowski's 1986 film Sacrifice .
literature
- Johnson, Anna: Svenska locklåtar i nutidstradition. Study about storform and function. Institutions för musikvetenskap vid Uppsala Universitet, Uppsala 1981. [ Swedish lures in current tradition. Studies on large form and function. Musicology Institution, Uppsala University ( in Swedish )]
- Tellenbach, Magdalena: Lure calls in Scandinavia: function, sound, revival. University of Vienna , Faculty of Humanities 1999.