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Description
Katajjaq: An Inuit Rhythm Game

Traditionally played by women, this game (as far as I can tell, the Inuit don't classify it so much as a musical art, persay, as like a game of rhythmic skill...a more impressive and elaborate game of pattycake played with the vocal cords instead of the hands) consists of one player establishing a pattern of sounds which the other player must mirror back at her as closely as possible without faltering. Like pattycake, there are particular traditional songs and patterns that can be used; many of them imitate a particular sound, like sled runners on snow or a saw cutting wood.

Partnership and competition both play a part in this game. A really good session takes off with a joyful sort of rhythm, and seasoned partners can keep a volley of sound going for minutes at a time like skilled tennis players, but partners will often change up the sounds or the beat to try and throw each other off. Both players keep it up until one or the other loses the rhythm or cracks up laughing--one slip and the whole fast-paced game crashes to a halt. An excellent way to stay occupied and warm during the long winter months...

Now, I don't know about you guys, but I can't imagine our girl Katara coming all the way to the North Pole and making friends with a princess there, without having at least one katajjaq shakedown. After all, she's sort of a princess herself...

Southern Water Tribe, represent!

(More information about katajjaq here. )

Description
Katajjaq: An Inuit Rhythm Game

Traditionally played by women, this game (as far as I can tell, the Inuit don't classify it so much as a musical art, persay, as like a game of rhythmic skill...a more impressive and elaborate game of pattycake played with the vocal cords instead of the hands) consists of one player establishing a pattern of sounds which the other player must mirror back at her as closely as possible without faltering. Like pattycake, there are particular traditional songs and patterns that can be used; many of them imitate a particular sound, like sled runners on snow or a saw cutting wood.

Partnership and competition both play a part in this game. A really good session takes off with a joyful sort of rhythm, and seasoned partners can keep a volley of sound going for minutes at a time like skilled tennis players, but partners will often change up the sounds or the beat to try and throw each other off. Both players keep it up until one or the other loses the rhythm or cracks up laughing--one slip and the whole fast-paced game crashes to a halt. An excellent way to stay occupied and warm during the long winter months...

Now, I don't know about you guys, but I can't imagine our girl Katara coming all the way to the North Pole and making friends with a princess there, without having at least one katajjaq shakedown. After all, she's sort of a princess herself...

Southern Water Tribe, represent!

(More information about katajjaq here. )