"The Answer is Land" is a poignant narrative of roots, reclamation, and resilience expressed through movement and emotion. Elle Sofe's choreography delves deep into the human experience, intertwining themes of belonging, rediscovery, and the enduring strength found within our connection to the land.
This piece highlights the discrimination faced by the Sámi community in Norway, Finland, and Sweden. The dancers, adorned in distinctive attire, use traditional yoik singing and movements to express indigenous pride and emphasize the significance of their roots and land.
The choreography is a symphony of emotions, ranging from the quiet introspection of roots to the declaration of resilience. Elle Sofe's artistic vision transcends the physical realm of dance, weaving together a tapestry of human experiences, emotions, and the profound ties that bind us to the land.
Vástádus eana
The audience is ushered indoors through the stage after the dance begins outside. Seven women wearing red bonnets, black tank tops, full skirts, and hi-top walking shoes lead the audience inside, singing Joik, a traditional Sami song, using megaphones as they convey effort and desperation. They create a mesmerizing ambiance with circular movements reminiscent of the Earth's rotations and transition into a polyphony that leads the audience through the theater to a stage transformed into a sparse fabric forest, transporting them to Sápmi.
The Answer is Land
This performance significantly impacted the Sámi community and broader audiences by raising awareness about the challenges faced by the Sámi people and fostering a sense of pride and cultural appreciation. We think that the dance not only impacted the Sámi community by reinforcing cultural pride but also influenced wider society by promoting understanding, empathy, and a sense of solidarity with indigenous communities facing similar challenges worldwide.
Why dance?
Dance is a universal language that has an emotive impact. We think Elle Sofe Sara chose Dance as a medium to convey the struggles, cultural pride, and resilience of the Sámi people. By incorporating traditional movements and Yoik, she can honor her heritage while showcasing the Sámi cultural practices in a contemporary context. Utilizing dance provided a platform to visualize to the issues faced by the Sámi on a global scale, engaging audiences emotionally and fostering understanding, empathy, and connection.
Dance is a reflection of the culture it originates from, embodying the environment and values of that culture. It often symbolizes and showcases the homeland intrinsic to its cultural identity. Using dance as a form of protest for the land of one's community holds significant impact and resonance. Moreover, dance allows the performers to express their emotional connection and sense of ownership towards their land.
Works Cited
Jakobsen, Siw E. “Det Er Fint Og Eksotisk Med Samer Så Lenge vi Bare Joiker, Mener Samisk Artist Og Naturverner.” Forskningsdagene 2023, 2 Aug. 2021, www.forskningsdagene.no/nyheter/-eksotisk-med-samer-bare-joiker/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2023.
Nystøyl, Karen F. “‘En Forestilling et Stort Publikum Burde Få Oppleve.’” NRK, 20 June 2021, www.nrk.no/anmeldelser/anmeldelse_-_vastadus-eana---the-answer-is-land_-av-elle-sofe-sara-1.15541074.
Ranaivoarinosy, Sedera. “Elle Sofe Sara: Vástádus Eana – The Answer Is Land.” Springback Magazine, 19 Aug. 2022, springbackmagazine.com/read/elle-sofe-sara-answer-is-land/.
“Ungdomar Arrangerade Demonstration Mot Missbruk Av Samisk Kultur.” Sametinget, 2008, www.sametinget.se/5594.