Finland - Lapland Part II

 Next on our trip around Finnish Lapland we arrive in the municipality of Enontekiö, which sits sandwiched between Norway and Sweden.  This is where writer, poet, artist, singer and all round renaissance man Nils-Aslak Valkeapää was born in 1943 (died in 2001).  He is credited with being a central person to revitalise the ancient art of Sámi joiking.  Amongst his many achievements he featured on the 1994 Mike Oldfield album The Songs of Distant Earth on the song Prayer for the Earth:

Here's a fascinating historical documentary about his life, which also gives a great insight into Sámi life and culture:

He really comes across as a very special person.  For more of his music check out the 2014 compilation album The Magic of Sami Yoik.  

Also born in Enontekiö in 1968 was Nils-Aslak's godson musician Niko-Mikhal Valkeapää.  He was one of the first to combine Sámi joik and folk with pop and more modern influences.  He also acted as a politician on the Sámi council.  He now lives in Kautokeino in Norwegian Sápmi.  Here's a song from his 2019 album Birrat Birrat called Okta Ráhkkisvuohta (One Love):

Another stalwart of Sámi joiking is Wimme Saari (usually just known as Wimme), who was born in nearby Kelottijärvi in 1959.  He combines his joiking often with techno-ambient accompaniments.  He has collaborated with many other acts, most notably with Swedish/Finnish outfit Hedningarna.  Here is a piece they did together at the Riddu Riddu festival, which is held annually in the Norwegian Sápmi village of Kåfjord.  If you have at all been inspired by my ramblings about Sámi music and culture or are interested in indigenous music in general, the festival takes place from the 12-16 July this year.  Sadly I won't be able to make it this year, but would love to one day.  Anyway this song appeared on a compilation disc called Riddu Riddu 1991-2001, which I don't think is available any more:

Here's another documentary on Wimme giving more insights into Sámi life and Wimme's music:

Finally for something completely different as we travel to Rovaniemi the capital of the Lapland region.  This is where composer, guitarist and oud player Jussi Reijonen was born.  His style is much more international in outlook with his own style of ethno-jazz with Middle Eastern influences.  For his 2022 album Three Seconds / Kolme Toista he assembled a 9-piece orchestra with musicians from Finland, Jordan/Iraq, Palestine, Turkey, Japan and the USA to produce a suite in 5 movements.  Here is the third movement called III: The Weaver, Every So Often the Sands Shifting Beneath Her:

That's it from Lapland, next we are heading south to the regions of Ostrobothnia.  In the meantime you can follow my virtual ramblings on my Tripline map.