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Inuit Throat-Singing Demonstration by Karin and Kathy Kettler at 2004 First Americans Festival

Inuit women of northern Canada developed a unique, guttural vocal style that involves short, sharp, rhythmic inhalations and exhalations of breath. It was traditionally used to sing babies to sleep or in games women played during the long winter nights while the men were away hunting. Inuit sisters Karin and Kathy Kettler, of northern Quebec, Canada, explain the history of the vocal style and illustrate the technique.