Another tradition is Inuit throat singing, practiced by women who syncronized their breathing. Whoever ran out of breath or laughed first lost the game. I probably wouldn't have lasted long.
I have never stood on the shore of a frigid sea, but I love the beach and the wind from the Gulf blowing in my hair. There is a rhythm to the ocean pounding against the shore that reminds me of the heart beat of God. This Inuit poem captures that joy so beautifully.
Moved
The great sea stirs me,
the great sea sets me adrift,
it sways me like the weed,
on a river stone.
The sky's height stirs me,
the strong wind blows through my mind,
it carries me with it,
so I shake with joy.
(c) Translation by Tom Lowenstein
Have a joyful Poetry Friday. There are more poems at the roundup hosted by Mary Lee at A Year of Reading.
Beautiful, Dori. "so I shake with joy". The ocean does stir us & I am sad I don't have an ocean trip this year. My class and I spent time with Pueblo Indians in Southwest Colorado one year and made weavings with a group of women. One of them told me that the tribe member who was the first to hear a baby laugh was responsible for giving a party for the baby, to add a welcome into the world. I thought that was the sweetest thing. Thanks for sharing these traditions and the poem.
ReplyDeleteI love all the traditions surrounding laughter. It is indeed good medicine. Enjoy your summer, even without the beach.
DeleteOh, that's SO interesting--and fun! I don't know how you get the book done, with all the fun you have researching!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I need someone to tell me to stop! I was walking at the park today and there were two waterfowl of some kind making strange noises. At first I thought they were fighting, but no, it seemed they were tuneful hisses instead. Honest, it sounded like they were throat singing with each other. Wish I knew what they were. They had some sort of red plumage on their head.
Delete...and now you have to go research those waterfowl!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a rich, rich post. Thank you for the laughter, the singing, and the Inuit poem. We have no beach here in Eastern Colorado (where I grew up and am visiting my mom for her 85th birthday), but the wide stretch of the land certainly evokes the sea, and the sound of the wind through the ripe wheat could be the hiss of water on the sand.
Yes. I already looked in my field guide and my spotter's handbook, but no luck. I'll get hold of my science teacher friend next week when she's home from vacation. She'll know. Your wide stretch of land sounds just beautiful. I've never heard the sound of wind blowing through ripe wheat, but I can imagine the similarities. We often travel to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the sound of the wind rushing up the side of the mountain gives me that same feeling. Enjoy the visit with your mom.
DeleteWonderful post, Doraine! Although it sounds counter-intuitive, laughter does create a peacefulness.
ReplyDeleteWe've had a few good laughs together, haven't we?
DeleteWhat a fun contest, and so glad that someone decided to revive this tradition before it was lost!
ReplyDeleteThey said the women often use throat singing as a lullaby to their babies.
DeleteJust love the poem, especially that first stanza. And that video clip taught me so much - especially about the way generations can connect by reviving lost ways. So interesting!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful image, isn't it?
DeleteWe drove to the beach this past week, spend a couple hours finding our way to the shore, and then found misty rain and cold wind. The surf was tremendous though. We huddled under towels and sweatshirts to eat gritty sandwiches and went home refreshed. Thanks for telling us about the laughing and singing games. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'm shivering just thinking about the blanket huddle.
DeleteThank you for sharing the lovely poem and this Inuit tradition, Doraine! Loved the video - fascinating. Who wouldn't smile after reading this post? (And do let us know when you find out what kind of birds those were... ;0) )
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. And thanks for commenting on my blog. I was trying to publish from a touch screen and accidentally deleted your comment! I think it's permanent. But I did read and appreciate your comment!
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