KarmaTube Video

KarmaTube is a video portal by ServiceSpace, showcasing the best inspiring videos on the web – with practical ways to be the change. Explore →

Whistling in the Wind: Preserving a Language Without Words

17,494 views
The last speakers of a language without words reside on La Gomera, one of the smallest islands in Spain’s Canary Islands. "El Silbo," a whistled communication used in rural and isolated areas, is dying out as islanders embrace digital communication and move to cities and the mainland. Even so, El Silbo has a firm place in the island's culture. Some of La Gomera's schools are teaching the language and in 2009, UNESCO declared it a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Be The Change
1
Learn about the surprising reason for the revival of Silbo gomero.
2
View more stories at Great Big Story - "a video network dedicated to the untold, the overlooked and the flat-out amazing."
3
Does your family have an intangible cultural heritage you'd like to preserve? Pass it on to the next generation.
Share:

Reflections (21)

helena
The purity- and roots of tradition
Donna
I love to whistle. It brings me joy. And I have been reading Jean Auel's books in which the main character, Ayla, communicates with her animals by whistling. I love the nature of non-verbal speech.
Brian
Thanks Team. Be encouraged in U. Peace on Earth...
Lisa Rosenkoetter
This is a beautiful heritage that should not be lost. They must do everything possible to keep it alive. To me this way of life seems so fulfilling and beautiful. Spending your days in nature with animals, getting exercise, having time for silent prayer or meditation. It's nice and slow, and that resonates with me. This was amazing! Thank You for sharing.🌞❤
Maria McLeod
I found that this method of communication fascinating and it should be recorded and placed in archives with history. Great examples give of each whistle. Anyone knowing how do to this , thw world will be indebted for the future.
Fazileh
It definitely a language that belonged to the Ancient Lost Civilization that's being spoken about in recent discoveries by Robert, Foster and Graham Hancock. Fascinating
For sure animals have their own high pitched language that our own tiny minds don't accept
BHAVESH M PRAJAPATI
I really surprise to know such language exist. In India we used to whistle for some good moments. So fantastic language. In this mobile era such language will not sustain. Good to hear that the school teach such language.
Kathy Kearns
We should slow down and start whistling again-much more peaceful. I wish I had been in that place/time
donna
is there some way to make this a "world heritage" event or site? - might be the first time for a language but there might be a way to truly insure its future - how exquisitely beautiful as yet another example of human/animal communication about which we are becoming more and more aware as each day passes - as the portals are opening, we humans are waking up more and more to the extraordinary ability of animals to understand us - it's time for us to start truly listening - they are trying to share with us - as all humans are connected in this unified field so are the animals - let's start truly listening...(I am a dolphin communicator but not through their water language but telepathically and it has opened my eyes to not only communicating with them but with many other species as well - and what I do know is that with an open heart and a quieted mind, WE ALL CAN develop the ability - hope you'll consider trying it - the animals will honor your efforts...
William
Yes, Lulu, elsewhere under the ocean and for similar communication at a distance. Whistles dense with information. Once heard the whistling/clicking between two dolphins as they circled a tank, the experienced one communicating to a new one the instructions for a complicated series of flips and spins that they then performed for the first time in perfect synchrony. Awesome existence this and the intelligent communication that it has evolved.
Colleen
I am a singer, who whistles my day away with songs in my head. I don't even realize I'm doing it a lot of the time, until someone compliments me on it! :-) This video captivated me and reminded me of when my father had surgery for throat cancer and had to relearn how to talk. In the meantime, he communicated his needs to my mom by whistling, and still communicates with us in this way when he is out of hearing distance, as his voice is still very soft. It's endearing to me.
Lyn
Yesterday I learned about an Australian marine biologist who has gathered 30 years of evidence that fish talk. Today I'm learning about a wordless language native to the Canary Islands. Learning something fascinating every day!
KarmaTube

About KarmaTube

Curated by volunteers at ServiceSpace, KarmaTube features inspiring videos with actionable ways to spread kindness. Subscribe for weekly inspiration.