Assu
Luoteniegut
The traditional joik of the Sámi lives on! Assu, an ensemble featuring renowned Finnish folk musician Ulla Pirttijärvi, brings the guttural Sámi singing tradition into the present with heart and soul. The name Assu translates to "embers," symbolizing the glowing warmth of their music. Many of the songs on 'Luohteniegut' came to Ulla in dreams: joiks of animals, nature, cold winds, friends, and relatives. In Sámi culture, there is a deeply rooted connection to the fundamental elements of life. In the small northern Finnish Sámi village of Angeli, where Ulla grew up, reindeer herding is a traditional way of life. Encounters with animals in their natural surroundings are an integral part of Ulla's family life. Animals and nature hold a special place in the traditional stories and spiritual beliefs of the Sámi. This presence of nature, animals, and people in a collage of reality, dreams, and humor forms the essence of 'Luohteniegut.' On 'Luohteniegut,' Ulla is joined by some of her closest musical companions, including her brother Keijo, a reindeer herder, and her musician colleague Ursula, a close relative with whom Ulla explored the wilderness as a child. Guest musician Hildegunn Oiseth also features on the album, playing the goat horn on five tracks.