Elements
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Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright Manage No EE00000069 Country Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan ICH Domain Oral traditions and representations Performing Arts Address The element is practiced in all regions of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.Year of Designation 2015
| Description | Aitys (in Kazakh language), Aitysh (in Kyrgyz) is an improvised competition of two akyns, the form of oral poetry performed in a singing manner, poetic contest of improvisations or a poetic duel of wits. The element is performed to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments: Kazakh dombra or Kyrgyz komuz. Two akyns compete with each other in improvisation of verses on topical themes in a wit-sparkling manner alternating humour and deep philosophic reflections. During the competition two akyns sitting opposite each other develop a song-like dialogue catching up the opponent’s words and performing in turn their improvisations on the spur of the moment. Songs performed during the aitysh-aitys are improvised on whatever topics which come up depending on the wish of the audience. The winner of the competition is the one considered to have demonstrated the most musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The element is very popular among people and is considered as a “folk tribune”. In fact, all regions of the countries have bearers and practitioners who often represent their local communities at the poetic competitions raising up topical and urgent problems of social life and criticizing all kinds of vices. The element is practiced at various events from local festivities to nation-wide events. Aitysh/Aitys presents the art of a dialogue participated not only by the performers but by their listeners as well. It is an essential part of life for the communities of tokmo-akyns and aityskers. |
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| Social and cultural significance | The element as an oral dialogic art has important social and cultural functions and meaning. Being a traditional form of Kazakh and Kyrgyz oral cultural heritage and reflecting at the same time new contemporary trends, It fits the context of our epoch implementing the function of spreading topical information among the communities. Today the element is a living form not only of performing arts but also an important platform for social communication between different representatives of communities. Embodying the best features of traditional oral dialogic art ,it provides adequate responses to life conditions in the globalized world, using modern communication means. People highly appreciate practitioners of the element, whose poetic improvisations reflect folk aspirations and current problems and realities. The most meaningful and witty expressions of performers are learned and quoted by people. Today, the element is very popular as a cultural component of multi-ethnic society and is an essential part of the element bearers’ communities and their identity. Having a life-asserting and optimistic nature, the element embodies the unity of culture and life, reflects the human spiritual world and social relations. As an essential part of social life, the element has important social functions enhancing the formation of national and cultural identity, broadening people’s outlook, fostering integration, interaction and mutual enrichment of cultures, strengthening the spiritual potential and humanitarian nature of Kazakh and Kyrgyz cultures. The element performers demonstrate publicly their philosophic reflections and propagate the ideas of tolerance, peace and respect to the universal human values. |
| Transmission method | In Kazakhstan all regions have schools akyns-aityskers transmit their knowledge and skills to young generations. In Kyrgyzstan there are schools-studios where the bearers and practitioners transmit their knowledge and skills to young people by traditional method “from teachers to the followers”. The schools-studios transmit this oral art to young people (practical trainings, instructions, demonstrations) and also teach them to play traditional musical instruments: Kazakh dombra and Kyrgyz komuz. Both countries promote the element on all levels at local, national and international events with participation of well-known akyns and young beginners who are given good opportunities to improve their creativity. People’s love of song competitions and their high appreciation of akyns’ improvising talent inspire akyns to perfect their talents. Bearers and practitioners were improvisers in all times. People acknowledge akyns as those performers who can create their apt and quick-minded verses on the spur of the moment. Akyn’s talent is demonstrated by his offhand improvisations on unexpected topics before the audience. Akyns are recognized by people only after they pass publicly the aitysh-aitys examinations. It is an excellent experience for akyns. Almost all akyns started their creative way by participating in such performances. Competitions of young performers with well-known akyns determine their further creative destiny; evaluation of their talent by listeners and the elder akyns confirms the akyn status of young performers. Texts of poetic improvisations by well-known akyns are included in school educational programs in order to transmit the element to young generations. |
| Community | The communities concerned are akyns-aityskers in Kazakhstan and tokmo-akyns in Kyrgyzstan. In Kazakhstan they are represented by the Republican Public Association ""International Union of Aitys Akyns, Zhyrshi and Termeshi (Aitys performers). In Kyrgyzstan by Public Foundation ""Aitysh"". Great contribution to preservation of the element is made also by representatives of Aitysh, Aitys art researches' organisations: Cultural Research Center ""Aigine"", Institutes of the National Academy of Science (Kyrgyzstan) and State Chamber orchestra “Ak Zhayun”, Institute of Literature and Arts named after M.Auezov, Kazakh National University of Arts, Kazakh Conservatory named after Kurmangazy and overall populations of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan as an audience. The main bearers and practitioners of the element are the communities of Tokmo-Akyns in Kyrgyzstan and Akyns-Aityskers in Kazakhstan and the elderly representatives of these practicing communities have primary responsibility for proper transmission of Aitys to younger generations. Traditionally Aitys is performed by men, however since 19-20th centuries more female performers of Aitys started to emerge. Female performers gained particular popularity in regards to their subtle game of words, conveyence of women’s aspirations and inner world via Aitys, Aitysh performances. |
| Type of UNESCO List | Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List | 2015 |
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PI00000663
Aitysh
Aytysh is a musical and poetic competition of two akyns in the art of improvisation or verbiage. Aytysh is performed to the accompaniment of komuz. In aytysh, the intonation and improvisational tradition of performing arts is especially manifested. The competition takes place in the form of a dialogue with sparkling versification, composed and improvised during the competition on various topical topics. The themes of aytysh are multifaceted, deep reflections are expressed in them, in which sparkling humor is interspersed with philosophical generalizations.
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Aitysh__-improvised competition of two akyns
Kyrgyzstan -
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Tokmo-akyns performing _Aitysh_
Kyrgyzstan -
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Tokmo-akyns performing _Aitysh_
Kyrgyzstan
Videos
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VI00000335
Aitysh/Aitys, art of improvisation
Aitys is a contest centred on improvised oral poetry spoken or sung to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments – the Kazakh dombra. Two performers (akyns) compete with one other to improvise verses on topical themes in a battle of wits that alternates between humorous ripostes and penetrating philosophical reflections. During the competition, the performers sit opposite one another improvising a dialogue on topics chosen by the audience. The winner is the performer considered to have demonstrated the best musical skills, rhythm, originality, resourcefulness, wisdom and wit. The most meaningful and witty expressions often become popular sayings. The element is practiced on a variety of occasions, ranging from local festivities to nationwide events, where practitioners often use the contest to raise important social issues. Although it was traditionally performed only by men, many women now participate in Aitys and use the contest to express women’s aspirations and viewpoints.
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2. Case of Kyrgyzstan: Influences and Effects of ICH Festivals on Local Communities
The ICH festivals in the Kyrgyz Republic are a great way to safeguard the cultural heritage. Kyrgyzstan has a rich ICH and embraces all ICH domains including the oral traditions andexpressions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive event, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship. Festivals feature various ICH domains such as arts and crafts, cuisine, folklore, felt, hunting with birds, horse games, etc. For instance, the festivals Kyrgyz Shyrdagy and the Oimo International Festival are held with the aim of safeguarding and popularizing traditional knowledge and skills of handicrafts, for safeguarding and promoting traditional games, various birds of prey festivals are held, such as Salbuurun and Kok Boru. Moreover, festivals are dedicated to safeguarding oral traditions, such as Aitysh, the art of improvisation as well as many other festivals reflecting traditional cuisine, folklore, etc.
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Republic of Korea 2020