Ululation
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An ululation is a long, wavering, high-pitched sound resembling the howl of a dog or wolf. It is an onomatopoeic word derived from Latin.
Ululation is found in some singing techniques and ritual situations. In Arab countries ululation is commonly used by women to express celebration or grief, especially at weddings and funerals. It may also be used to encourage belly dancing. In the Middle East, zaghareet is a ululation performed to honor someone. In the Horn of Africa, ululation (or ililta) performed by worshippers is a feature of services in the Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox Churches, and is also commonly used in secular celebrations such as parties or concerts. Ululation is incorporated into African musical styles such as Shona music, where it is a form of audience participation, along with clapping and call-and-response. Herodotus appears to mention ululation in North Africa (where it is still practiced), saying:
- I think for my part that the loud cries uttered in our sacred rites came also from thence; for the Libyan women are greatly given to such cries and utter them very sweetly. (IV. 42-43)
American experimental singer and composer Joan La Barbara uses ululation as well as other extended techniques such as circular singing and glottal clicks.
[edit] In popular culture
Ululation appears in many films set in the Middle East, such as Lawrence of Arabia and The Battle of Algiers. Sometimes it is depicted as a battle cry, for example in Xena: Warrior Princess. Even the animated feature GI Joe: The Movie featured the ululation "Cobra-la-la-la-la-la". It appears as comic relief in The Simpsons episodes "The Last Temptation of Homer" and "Midnight Rx"; as well as Family Guy in the episode "E. Peterbus Unum" where Stewie is curious as the sound Achmed "makes when you're about to assassinate an infidel?".
