Founded in 2003 by four Finnish folk music enthusiasts – Riitta Bergroth, Milla Metsola, Pipa Paljakka and Virpi Sahi – the Inehmo vocal ensemble focus on traditional music of Finno-Ugrian origin.

Finnish, Carelian and Ingrian folk poetry in trochaic tetrameter fits strikingly well in traditional melodies of other Finno-Ugric folks. A majestetic Mordvinian melody matches the mythic text of Väinämöinen catching a giant pike and making a kantele out of its jawbone, Finnish fishing spells match a Tatarstani Udmurt dance tune and a Mari Shrovetide melody accomodates Finnish Shrovetide verses.

For their main source of lyrics, the Inehmo rely on The Ancient Poems of the Finnish People, the world’s largest published collection of folk poetry, comprising 34 volumes. The repertoire also includes songs with original lyrics from Mordovia, Karelia and Seto.

The Inehmo have performed mostly in the Helsinki area, the home base of the ensemble, and also in several other cities in Finland, at festivals, folk music events and on private occasions.

The Inehmo vocal ensemble have released two albums on CD, Laulajan lajia in 2007 and Iso härkä in 2012. Their newest album Helise heliä metsä was released in March 2024 on digital platforms Spotify and YouTube.

Contact: riitta.bergroth at kolumbus.fi

Updated 17.3.2024

Photo: Tapio Lindholm