Virtual Workshop: Sámi Joik & Storytelling

Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Sámi joik (yoik) singer, author, and reindeer herder Ante Aikio as he presents traditional music and stories from Sápmi, the Sámi homelands in Northern Scandinavia. Participants will listen to stories of alluring Gufittar and slippery Skaimmadas, hear the sacred rhythms of Ante’s shaman drum, and learn the basics of joik chanting as they participate in this educational performance.

Ante Aikio is a Sámi yoik singer and novel writer from Finnish Lapland. He also works as a professional reindeer herder and an entrepreneur who runs the Samiland exhibition in Levi tourist center with his partners. Ante is the founder of the entertainment company Goranus whose mission is to increase people’s awareness of Sami mythology. Ante debuted as a joik performer in Tokyo, Japan, when he was only three years old. Since then he’s been performing together with his father and many other musicians – even as a lead joik singer of a symphony orchestra. Ante has written two novels and a short story collection. His first novel, Aigi: Fathoms of the Fenlake, has been translated into English. As a musician, Ante has released a single Šuvvá in summer 2019 and his debut album Eret in May 2020. He is also featured on two solo albums by Jonne Järvelä, lead singer of Finnish folk metal band Korpiklaani.