The Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei

[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]