There’s “Amen” And “Hallelujah,” And Then There’s A Ululation

A ululation is a drawn-out, high-pitched trill of two to three notes. One makes the sound by wailing while rapidly flicking the tongue between the roof of the mouth and the back of their teeth. 

Ululations are practiced throughout the African diaspora, from Morocco to South Africa.  Commonly done by women, ululations are used to express gratitude, celebration, or as a form of greeting. Ululations have also been used at protests against colonization. 

The exclamation can be heard in many ceremonies and rituals, especially weddings and funerals. 

In ancient Egypt, mourners ululated during burial ceremonies to ward off evil spirits.

South African ballerina Kitty Phetla always knows exactly where her mother is sitting in the audience during her ballets, because her mother always drowns out the applause with a loud ululation. 

An ululation is above all a form of praise. In this way ululations are similar to other African diasporic exclamations or sounds of praise like “Ashe,” “Amen,” “Hallelujah,” “YES,” or even the classic church hum. 

Whether we ululate, cheer, clap, shout, high-five, or give a pat on the back, showing praise is how we acknowledge Spirit’s many blessings. What’s your favorite way to praise someone?