[wind blowing]
Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei is one of Mongolia's great and invaluable
contributions to the world cultural heritage. This type of unique music art
has been developed in the Altai mountains area, especially in Mongolia
with its own unique characteristics. The history of Mongolian Khöömei art dates back
to hundreds of years. The popularity of Khöömei among the Mongolians has a rising
as a result of close interaction between natural environment and human culture.
The animistic worldview of the Mongolians identifies the spirituality
of objects in nature not just in their shape or location but in their sound and
melody as well. The open landscape of Mongolia allows sounds to embrace a
great distance. Thus, human mimicry and imitation of sounds of animals, wind, and
water is seen as the route of Khöömei. Mongolian nomads have developed these
mysterious sounds of nature, environment and nomadic lifestyle a special genre of
music for expressing their emotion, happiness, and labor motivation.
[throat singing and music]
[speaking in Mongolian]
[throat singing]
Do not doubt when one tells you that I speak to the mountain, water, and grass. It
is because beautiful nature is a great composer itself and transmits its own
creation to human beings through gifted performers.
[Mongolian throat singing]
The exact origin of the Khöömei art is unknown. But researchers
suppose that it could have been developed in connection with specific
epic telling work of technique shamanic calling and the play of the wooden soul
flute. Khöömei is a generic tone defining the whole local practice of the
single person who voluntarily and simultaneously overlays several sounds
but mainly two sounds with his voice. It is a melody of harmonics Sanibel
fundamental tone called drone. In Mongolia the song style has been
practiced exclusively by man until recently. However, women have now been
practicing it for about two generations. A multitude of techniques can be found
in Mongolia and they are grooved within two main styles: the kharkhiraa Khöömei, or deep
Khöömei, and isgeree Khöömei, or whistle Khöömei. The wonder of the Khöömei art is its
simultaneous melodious overtone. In this way, the Khöömei is a phenomenon which
differentiates from all our traditional arts based on human vocal organs. This is
The reason of calling the Khöömei performer as human music or [mongolian],
which highlights its specificity from a normal singer.
The Mongolians use the human vocal organs to the high degree of level and
develop the Khöömei as a unique musical art the views of Khöömei art are making
much efforts for the development of the traditional apprenticeship training.
This has a good role for safeguarding and promoting Khöömei art and for its
transmission to young generations.
[speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
[speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat Singing]
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei is originated from after
ethnic groups of Mongolia and its authenticity and uniqueness have been
retained in the western part of Mongolia until now. Also it is being successfully
developed in the other parts of Mongolia. As an art form created and developed by
the Mongolians, Turanians, and other ethnic groups and regarded as the
classic art of nomadic civilization. Khöömei is one of the core performing arts
that shaped the Mongolian national arts in today's Mongolia. Thus, it shows great
influence and ensuring the visibility and enhancement of the living art of
Mongolia. Khöömei is born by a variety of ethnic groups as a [multiple Mongolian Groups]
different locations in Mongolia so there are a number of sub classifications of
Khöömei style reflecting the special features in local flavors.
This diversity is what constitutes the richness of Khöömei composition and thus
each community's concerned are proud of their own unique styles and techniques
while expressing themselves with such diversity and uniqueness.
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Throat singing]
[Speaking in Mongolian]
[Playing instrument and throat singing]
Inscription of the mongolian traditional art Khöömei under a
representative list of the intangible cultural heritage of humanity will make
a great contribution for the safeguarding of this Falk heritage which
reflects exceptional talent of human creating music and close interaction
with nature. As one of the mainspring heritage elements expressing the national
identity of the Mongolians, the Khöömei tradition and its emerging tendencies contribute
promoting cultural diversity, while manifesting human creativity and
capability.
[Throat singing continues]