In Eanan (Earth) a luohti on earth and land, the lifegiver and cultural starting point of the Sámi people, is yoiked by indigenous musician Ánnámáret. The luohti is accompanied by electronic music by Turkka Inkilä and the jouhikko, a Karelian bowed lyre, played by Ilkka Heinonen.
The cameraless animated video work by is based on photographs taken by Ernst Manker and drawings by Lili Manker, depicting old Sámi drums from the book Die Lappische Zaubertrommel. The work both reveals and conceals the original drums within the noise of digitally emerging images. These images are combined with impressions of plant leaves, flower petals, earth and salt, created on film using printing, painting and phytogram techniques on film. The work explores the indigenous people’s relationship with the land, their environment and their cultural heritage. It also reflects on what has been preserved of Indigenous spiritual traditions, and how these traditions have been othered, lost or erased as a result of colonisation.
Eanan is part of a long-term collaboration by the four-member team, which has produced a series of moving image works, two music albums, and performs live concerts together. The group is initiated and convened by Ánnámáret.
Credits
- Directed, filmed and edited by: Marja Viitahuhta
- Music performed and arranged by: Ánnámáret (luohti / yoiking), Ilkka Heinonen (karelian bowed lyre aka jouhikko), Turkka Inkilä (electronics)
- Luohti composition and lyrics: Ánnámáret
- Arrangement: Turkka Inkilä, Ilkka Heinonen and Ánnámáret
- Music produced by: Turkka Inkilä
- Video produced by: Marja Viitahuhta and Ánnámáret
- Recording and mixing: Kaj Mäki-Ullakko
- Music mastered by: Virtalähde Mastering
- Music track from album: Ánnámáret: Bálvvosbáiki
- Music published by: Uksi Productions
- Thank you: Families and loved ones
- This work has been created with funding from: Arts Promotion Centre Finland, Kone foundation
- Image source: Die Lappische Zaubertrommel, photographs by Ernst Manker and drawings by Lili Manker. We thank Jan Manker for permission to use the images from the book.
Watch
You can watch a teaser of Eanan via Vimeo below. Eanan is also distributed by AV-Arkki.
Eanan has been exhibited as a video installation at
– Marja Viitahuhta & Ánnámáret, Heinonen ja Inkilä: Eanan, 17.1.– 23.2.2025, Galleria Vanha Kappalaisentalo, Porvoo
– Drifts festival, 14.8–10.9 Malmitalo, Helsinki
– Marja Viitahuhta & Ánnámáret, Heinonen ja Inkilä: Eanan, 30.10.—22.11.2026, Galleria Forum Box, Helsinki
