The Inuit Drum: Heartbeat of the Arctic

The Inuit people across the Arctic have a rich musical heritage centered on drum dancing. In the drum dance, voice and drum blend to create a mood, tell a story, or entertain. Rhythms are played on a large drum, coupled with chants or narrative songs. The qilaut or wind drum was traditionally made by joining pieces of bone, antler, or flotsam to form a frame. An animal skin was dampened, stretched over the frame, and lashed with sinew. It would often have a handle, like a paddle drum. A beater was used to strike the rim of the drum. Today, frames are made by soaking and steaming a piece of wood, then bending it into a hoop. Most modern drum heads are synthetic fabric. To learn more visit the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre and/or watch the videos The Qilaut and How to Make an Inuit Drum.