Practice · Voice
Kulning
Kulning is a traditional Scandinavian herding call: a high, ringing vocal technique developed by women in the Nordic summer pastures to call cattle across long distances, and today used in ceremony, performance and voice practice.
How it works
Kulning uses a high, bright head voice placed so the sound carries unamplified across valleys and water. The calls are often improvised and closely tied to the landscape.
Turned toward a room, the same sound gathers attention almost instantly, which is why it works so well for opening and closing gatherings.
Where it is used today
As a living Nordic tradition in folk music, as opening and closing ceremonies for conferences and retreats, and as a voice practice for presence. Often paired with jojk, the Sámi vocal tradition.
Practice Kulning with
On the map
Kulning belongs to the Voice dimension of the Holotropic Map of Human Experience.
Related practices: Sound Bath, Nonviolent Communication
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