Ancestral North explores Nordic ritual folk music's spirituality and cultural imagination, highlighting its popularity and connection to cultural attitudes about the region. It suggests that while it can be a reactionary escape, it also offers engagement and re-enchantment in the multicultural present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 252 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

Ancestral North: Spirituality and Cultural Imagination in Nordic Ritual Folk Music is a comprehensive exploration of the Nordic ritual folk music scene, which has gained significant global popularity through various media platforms. Initially associated with Viking reenactors and neopagan practitioners, this music scene has evolved to encompass a wide range of musical styles and visual aesthetics. The authors argue that Nordic ritual folk music connects with longstanding cultural attitudes about the region, portraying it as wild, exotic, and dangerous while also being a place of honor, community, and virtue. However, they also suggest that engaging with the music of an imaginary past can provide participants with opportunities for engagement and re-enchantment in the multicultural present. The book delves into the historical and cultural contexts of Nordic ritual folk music, examining its origins, development, and significance in contemporary society. It explores the various musical traditions, instruments, and performance practices associated with the genre, highlighting the unique blend of ancient and modern elements that characterize it. Additionally, the authors discuss the role of Nordic ritual folk music in shaping cultural identity and promoting social cohesion. They argue that the music's ability to evoke a sense of belonging and connection can be particularly relevant in today's globalized world, where cultural diversity is increasingly valued. Overall, Ancestral North: Spirituality and Cultural Imagination in Nordic Ritual Folk Music offers a rich and insightful exploration of the music's historical, cultural, and social significance, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the Nordic region's music and culture.

Ancestral North: Spirituality and Cultural Imagination in Nordic Ritual Folk Music

Ancestral North: Spirituality and Cultural Imagination in Nordic Ritual Folk Music is a comprehensive exploration of the Nordic ritual folk music scene, which has gained significant global popularity through various media platforms. Initially associated with Viking reenactors and neopagan practitioners, this music scene has evolved to encompass a wide range of musical styles and visual aesthetics. The authors argue that Nordic ritual folk music connects with longstanding cultural attitudes about the region, portraying it as wild, exotic, and dangerous while also being a place of honor, community, and virtue. However, they also suggest that engaging with the music of an imaginary past can provide participants with opportunities for engagement and re-enchantment in the multicultural present. The book delves into the historical and cultural contexts of Nordic ritual folk music, examining its origins, development, and significance in contemporary society. It explores the various musical traditions, instruments, and performance practices associated with the genre, highlighting the unique blend of ancient and modern elements that characterize it. Additionally, the authors discuss the role of Nordic ritual folk music in shaping cultural identity and promoting social cohesion. They argue that the music's ability to evoke a sense of belonging and connection can be particularly relevant in today's globalized world, where cultural diversity is increasingly valued. Overall, Ancestral North: Spirituality and Cultural Imagination in Nordic Ritual Folk Music offers a rich and insightful exploration of the music's historical, cultural, and social significance, making it an essential read for anyone interested in the Nordic region's music and culture.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 237 x 158 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666917567