Materials
traditional music
ICH Materials 539
Photos
(391)-
Aitysh__-improvised competition of two akyns
Kyrgyzstan
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Woodcarving process of traditional musical instrument - komuz
Kyrgyzstan
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Tokmo-akyns performing _Aitysh_
Kyrgyzstan
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Aitys – the 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 practised 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.
Kazakhstan -
Traditional traditional music of the Tsuur
Mongol Tsuur is a blending of sounds created simultaneously by both the musical instrument and the human throat. Tsuur has an inseparable connection to the Uriankhai Mongolians of the Altai Region, and remains an integral part of their daily life. Its origins lie in an ancient practice of worshipping nature and its guardian spirits by emulating natural sounds. Tsuur is a vertical pipe-shaped wooden wind instrument with three fingerholes. Simultaneously touching the mouthpiece of the pipe with one’s front teeth and applying one’s throat produces a unique timbre comprising a clear and gentle whistling sound and a drone. Tsuur is traditionally played to ensure success for hunts, for benign weather, as a benediction for safe journeys or for weddings and other festivities. The music reflects one’s inner feelings when travelling alone, connects a human to nature, and serves as a performing art.
Mongolia -
Traditional music of the Morin khuur
Mongols have traditionally shown a great respect for the horse, honoring it in their national standards and symbols (flags and emblems) and in their folk songs. Morin khuur clearly belongs to this symbolic tradition. Morin khuur, so named for the ornamental horse-head carving at the top of its neck, is a unique two-stringed musical instrument developed by the nomadic Mongols. The strings of both the bow and fiddle are made from the hair of a horse’s tail. Most significantly, there is a tradition of playing the morin khuur at all ritual and ceremonial events. No discussion of the morin khuur would be complete without having considered the folk ‘long song’, for which it provides the principal accompaniment. Besides Bii Biylgee and folk long song, many other folk artistic forms such as Ülger (tales), Tuuli (epic), Yörööl (benediction), Magtaal (ode) and others can always be performed with morin khuur..
Mongolia -
Aitys - art of music, and poetic contest improvisation between akyns (singers)
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 practised 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.
Kazakhstan -
Traditional musical instruments
There are many types of national musical instruments which are used in Uzbekistan. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: instruments for professional peformance and instruments for folk performance. The instruments that are used in professional performances are divided intonthe instruments used in traditional performances and to the instruments used in academic performance. Below, we consider both instrumental groups (traditional and academic performance).
Uzbekistan -
Traditional musical instruments
There are many types of national musical instruments which are used in Uzbekistan. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: instruments for professional peformance and instruments for folk performance. The instruments that are used in professional performances are divided intonthe instruments used in traditional performances and to the instruments used in academic performance. Below, we consider both instrumental groups (traditional and academic performance).
Uzbekistan -
Traditional musical instruments
There are many types of national musical instruments which are used in Uzbekistan. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: instruments for professional peformance and instruments for folk performance. The instruments that are used in professional performances are divided intonthe instruments used in traditional performances and to the instruments used in academic performance. Below, we consider both instrumental groups (traditional and academic performance).
Uzbekistan -
Traditional musical instruments
There are many types of national musical instruments which are used in Uzbekistan. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: instruments for professional peformance and instruments for folk performance. The instruments that are used in professional performances are divided intonthe instruments used in traditional performances and to the instruments used in academic performance. Below, we consider both instrumental groups (traditional and academic performance).
Uzbekistan -
Traditional musical instruments
There are many types of national musical instruments which are used in Uzbekistan. They can be conditionally divided into two groups: instruments for professional peformance and instruments for folk performance. The instruments that are used in professional performances are divided intonthe instruments used in traditional performances and to the instruments used in academic performance. Below, we consider both instrumental groups (traditional and academic performance).
Uzbekistan