Kulning - The Ancient Scandinavian Herding Calls

In Scandinavia, a unique singing technique evolved across the centuries to call the cows home from the pastures for the evening: Kulning. The age-old technique was traditionally used to call free-roaming cows and pigs, leading them back to their stables. Today, kulning has become an art form in its own right – there are even concerts to showcase it.

#Kulning #Sweden
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[deltavapour]

Swedish here! When I was a kid, me and my sisters went playing in the woods a lot. Mom would let us know when it was time to come home or check in with kulning, and it is one of my favourite memories of growing up. I learned how to do it from her and it is such a nice feeling, like screaming your feelings out but without hurting your voice!

[celloharper]

Do everything to not let this art form die. Do everything to keep it alive. Please. It is so beautiful.

[lrh]

The subtitles don't really do this woman's passion justice! She talks about how she feels this is her life's mission, not just that it's something she wants to do.

[Arcturus-Great-Bear]

I am Asian. I love learning about this part of Swedish culture. Yes it is hypnotic and vibrates your soul. I cannot explain why tears were running down my face at the sound of her voice. Must be happiness. Thank you for this video.

[peasinourthyme]

It´s a custom rarely in actual herdsmanship use now adays. Mostly it is a curiosity, for tourism or for having like a "living museum". But I once happened to see it practised in everyday herdsmanship only ten years ago, by chance! I was sitting, for reasons I can´t remember, just enjoying the view at a location. It was summer and green and lovely. I saw an old man walking on a dirt road a little ways away from me. He walked all the way to a fence and opened the gate. Then he started "sort of" making this kulning. It wasn´t beautiful and arty like here, but he song-called "cows cows cows COME" over and over. And sure enough, his herd came trotting! A couple of them were literally running and prancing with joy! When they arrived, he simply turned and started walking, and they all followed suit behind him, it was a joy to see their connection. This was in the south-west part of the country (Halland, Marks kommun)

[karleyhowe]

my grandfather taught me how to sing the cows home, when I was a child . I use the same song to call my own cows now, and my children and grand children sing the same cow call.
I wonder if this song is from our Scandinavian heritage? And if it has changed much through the generations before us?

[KK-srhh]

I live off of forest land, so I taught my horses to come in with this technique years ago. I will say twice I've had horses on the forest and twice they've come to me with my chant. It's easy to teach and very useful for people in my situation.b

[jimlundquist]

My Swedish born grandmother told how she would herd cattle in the mountains outside of Bingsjo, Dalarna Province during the summer, which is located near Leksand. I wish she had sung her Kulning call for us. It was a tradition my Father carried on later on his neighboring farm; he would call out "Come Boss, Come Boss" which would bring the 2 milk cows and assorted feeder cattle to the feed yard from the pasture Never thought much about this until I watched the video. A fine tradition.

[herrootsareshowing]

My Scandinavian grandmother (she moved here to USA when she was younger) would call us (grandchildren) and her animals in with this. I never thought to ask of the cultural significance. It was always just something she did, and I loved it. She grew up on a farm, with three sisters and two brothers. She and her younger sister would handle the care for the animals. I did not grow up on a farm, but unknowingly continued a family tradition by choosing an occupation that has me also caring for livestock. I believe the sound gets into your soul, and gives you a seed from which to grow. I was truly lucky.

[angelshadow]

Her voice is so amazing! I got goosebumps

[esthervanderheijden]

I wish i was born in Sweden. I love the language, the traditions, the nature, the history, aurora borealis. It's so beautiful, i love everything ❤

[HeyItsKora]

82 year old??? She doesn't even look 60, let alone over 80!!! Good gracious that's impressive! And all that without running water or electricity! Goes to show!

[austinbarnes]

It’s scary how easily this brings tears to my eyes. It’s gotta be the frequencies

[ursulageorgeson]

My family have worked with cattle for generations. My mum taught me to do this 'because we'll never shout like the men'. What she meant is, it actually is more practical for us. Men's voices carry further when deep and boom-y, women's when they're singsong-y. I can tell you standing ontop of a 5 bar gate and getting them in from two or three fields away, it makes a lot of sense.

[LordPoshnameVonPlumbingparts]

I once made that noise when a hammer slipped and hit me you know where.

Jokes aside this is a haunting talent.

[alananderson]

My little Norwegian mothers voice would carry. Our nearest neighbor a mile away would hear her.

[kikyozoldyck]

im not scandinavian nor i could hit high notes but im planning to move to northern sweden and do my best to be able to do kulning because i ALWAYS wanted to live like how they wanted

[blnk]

As a Swede it's sad that we don't learn about our own history in school. Sad that what we learn is handpicked, we don't learn about where we came from or what even we've done wrong in the world.

[raveenasen]

Beautiful landscape and herding calls create a feeling of ancient times.

[victoria_dolce]

I never knew about this just 10 minutes ago. It’s fascinating. Want to learn more and more about it. With love from Ukraine 🇺🇦 ❤ 🇸🇪