Dance Beyond Presents: Snow Raven – New York, NY

What is Kut-Sür?

In this immersive ceremonial sound journey, Snow Raven will weave her traditional songs with the sounds of birds and animals to guide participants through the three worlds.

The northern people of Sakha follow the traditional faith “Aiyy” (Creation), which divides the world into three parts: the Upper (gods and deities), the Middle (people, insects, plants, birds, animals), and the Lower (negatives of human life).

Snow Raven will teach the audience traditional singing techniques and dance movements, helping participants experience a true journey through the three worlds from the Shamanic lens of Sakha tradition. Human development is governed by “Kut-Sür,” where “Kut” means soul and “Sür” refers to energy and vibration. According to traditional Sakha belief, the human soul (kut) is comprised of three parts:

• Iie Kut – Mother Soul
• Buor Kut – Earth Soul
• Salgyn Kut – Air Soul

The Sakha people believe that the three Kuts must stay in balance; if one becomes weak, it can lead to illness. In this ceremonial concert, individuals will have the opportunity to journey within themselves, restoring balance and harmony to their soul.

Ceremony Structure

1. Salgyn Kut (Air Soul) – Inward Journey

This first part focuses on introspection and self-exploration. Participants will be guided through their inner worlds, navigating thoughts, emotions, and the layers of the mind. It’s a time to unlayer and explore the darkness and masks we wear, using sound as a guide to delve into our internal landscapes.

2. Iie Kut (Mother Soul) – Ancestral Connection

In the second part, we call upon our ancestors and connect with the primal aspects of our being. This phase takes us back to a primordial state, beyond human language, where we communicate through the sounds of birds and animals. Participants will tap into primal sounds, revisiting the metaphorical womb, and experiencing a release of deep-seated emotions through crying and other expressions.

This journey leads to a breakthrough moment, transitioning from inward exploration to connecting with the unseen worlds. We will access our genetic heritage, latent talents, inner voice, and the voices of our ancestors. This phase strengthens our connection to our lineage and the wisdom it carries.

3. Buor Kut (Earth Soul) – Integration and Grounding

The final part brings participants back to their bodies, grounding them in the physical world. “Buor” means soil, symbolizing our connection to the earth. This phase is about integrating the insights and skills gained during the journey, awakening our abilities and learning how to use them in our daily lives.

Participants will engage in breathing and walking exercises, dance, and singing. This physical engagement helps translate the inner journey into tangible actions and inspirations for everyday life. As a community, we will chant together, move energy in unison, tapping into primordial strength, and rediscovering who we are as individuals and as a collective. We will end with a collective community song, a symbol of our shared journey and newfound connections.

SNOW RAVEN – SUOR was born in one of the most remote and cold inhabited places in the world – the Republic of Sakha – Yakutia (arctic Siberia). She was three years old when she started to learn the language of birds and animals. Her voice takes its breath from traditional Sakha culture and is truly an instrument. She is the OG of “arctic beatbox” – the reindeer breath and the founder of OLOX ecosystem: Of Many Believes Common Truth.