Ánnámáret´s Njáhcu single released

Ánnámáret is a Sámi artist and member of the reindeer husbandry community. On Thursday 30.5.2024 the single Njáhcu (Warm winters) was released. It is a Sámi yoik about climate change and the problems it causes for reindeer husbandry. In the song, the ancient Sami wind god Biegg'olmmái is asked to guide the reindeer to better pastures. The yoik melody is composed by Ánnámáret and the electronic composition by Turkka Inkilä. Ilkka Heinonen is responsible for the renewed sound of the Carelian bowed lyre jouhikko. In addition to the single, a video by Marja Viitahuhta was released.

Lyrics:
Skábma olleme
amma de gal ii áiggo šat njázudit
Olbmážan, Biegg´olbmážan
bosastivččet, biekkastivččet

The polar night is here
Do not say the winter will be warm again
Dear Biegg´olmmái
Let us feel your blowing gale

Ánnámáret, Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman, is a Sámi artist based in Nuorgam. The album Nieguid duovdagat, based on her songs, was released in 2021 and was chosen as Folk Music Album of the Year and nominated in the Etno Emma category at the Emma Gala. Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman has worked as a soloist, musician and teacher in many productions of Sámi music.

On 16 August 2024, Ánnámáret will release the album Bálvvosbáiki (Worship), an album that adapts the ancient Sámi worldview to the present day and asks where are the places of worship of this time? On the album Ánnámáret joikaa ancient gods and witches to reality.

The album will be released at the IJAHIS IDJA festival in Inari. IJAHIS IDJA is an indigenous music event that has been held in the church village of Inari since 2004. It is the only festival in Finland focusing on Sámi music. Media representatives can send an accreditation request from the beginning of June to: aleksi.ahlakorpi@samediggi.fi

The project has been supported by Kone Foundation, Arts Promotion Centre, AVEK and Sámi Cultural Centre Sajos.

Working group:

Ánnámáret aka Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman: yoik

Ilkka Heinonen: Carelian bowed lyre jouhikko

Turkka Inkilä: electronics, shakuhachi

Marja Viitahuhta: video art

The single was released on all digital platforms on 30 May 2024.
Link to the single: https://orcd.co/annamaretnjahcu

Further information and interview requests:

Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman
anna@annamaret.fi
+358(0)40 540 5985