This project is about sharing different ways of storytelling through traditional drum dance and song. There are common features and differences in Inuit traditions that are interesting to explore, and drum dancing is one of them. The goal of Katuarpalaaq is to strengthen the use of traditional singing and dancing, and to create a bigger sense of coherence between the drum dancers.

From March 21–26, 2022, a group of drum dancers from Greenland, Canada and Alaska were gathered in Nuuk, at Katuaq. During those days they learned from each other, participating in workshops and performances.

From March 29–April 6 a group of drum dancers are travelling throughout Greenland on a tour. The group includes two drum dancers from different regions in Greenland, one drum dancer from Canada and one drum dancer from Alaska. The group will perform in various places, like kindergardens, schools, homes for elders and cultural institutions. 

There has been a lot of interest for the festival from all parts of the society.

During the festival days in Nuuk there was a panel talk about drum dancing, featuring Arnakkuluk Jo Kleist (Greenland), Nuka Alice Lund (Greenland), Sylvia Cloutier (Canada) and Keenan Carpenter (Canada). A recording of the panel talk is available here:

Credit: This video was originally published by Katuaq on April 1, 2022. COURTESY KATUAQ.

For information about this and other events at Katuaq, visit Katuaq’s Facebook page. 

This story is part of the Greenland Spotlight. View more content from the Spotlight here.