In Greenland, a duel could be won by singing

Two opponents, mocking words and a laughable audience: some conflicts in Inuit societies in Greenland took the form of singing duels. The heritage file names them iverneq. The participants responded by composing verses intended to embarrass the other, accompanied by the sound and gestures of the drum.

In these historical descriptions, the laughter of the audience or the abandonment of an opponent could decide the outcome. This social function was in addition to the entertainment and spiritual dimensions of the practice. So it was not just an instrument that produced a rhythm, but a way to circulate stories and work relationships in the community.

The drum itself varies by region, by size, shape and materials used. Cultural associations and institutions are now involved in its transmission to the younger generations. The sung duel should not be presented as a current procedure for all disputes: it illuminates a particular history within an art still practiced.