| Description |
There are various types of performed singing genres.
Love songs is the most spread mass genre of singing art of the Kyrgyz.
Love songs reflect not only moral and aesthetic worldview of the people, but love of native land as well. Their lyrics are often built on comparisons of images of nature and a loved one. They praise the beauty of surrounding world and motherland.
Edification-songs represent other genre of the Kyrgyz folk singing. They reflect philosophical views about human character, family relations, society and peace, and contain catchwords and conclusions about natural phenomena. They are often sung during celebrations of important life events.
Lyrical songs may be performed without accompaniment or with accompaniment of komuz or accordion. They sound more often without accompaniment during traditional and family celebrations of so called oturush, and sherine, as well as during folk song contests such as sarmerden and yr kese (singing chalice). No repertoire of folk singers (yrchy) is complete without lyrical songs.
Ceremonial songs of the Kyrgyz, first of all, are connected with celebrations of various events. They have a solemn character and are performed with musical accompaniment. So, for example, toi bashtar (wedding song or feast song) marks the beginning of a wedding celebration or jubilee celebration, and jar-jar is the song of a greeting of groom and bride.
There are ceremonial songs that are performed without musical accompaniment. It concerns the lamentation song performed by the bride’s mother at a dramatic moment of the wedding, when the bride leaves her parents’ house; or the lullabies that are performed during of the ceremony of encradling the newborn child.
A vivid expression of the epic beginning of Kyrgyz folklore is demonstrated in lamentation songs performed at funerals.
Songs of bakhshi and dervishes are other well preserved song genres of the Kyrgyz. They are performed in the form of melodic recitatives at praising and appealing to the God, and at purification rituals.
Contemplation song is one of the genres of lyrical traditions of the Kyrgyz. They are built on folk philosophy, teaching, and artistic representation of the reality, which are transmitted from generation to generation. They comprise moral principles and ethno- pedagogical views of the nation in them. Similar to the other folk song traditions, contemplation songs are presented in rhythmic and poetic form.
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| Social and cultural significance |
Performing art is the richest area of the national culture of Kyrgyz people, an integral part of their spiritual life, a representation of their worldview, lifestyle, history, ethical and aesthetic ideals.
The musical folk art of Kyrgyz people originates from the depths of centuries. The Kyrgyz people have always been famous for their musicality. Music has always been their indispensable companion, so it accompanied various social events: festivities, feasts, military campaigns, family celebrations, etc. The folk songs reflect the entire life journey of the Kyrgyz people, and therefore, the variety of song forms is so great.
The Kyrgyz people believed in the magical power of words, so for centuries they created numerous religious and ritual songs that were used in all imaginable life situations. Performed by shamans, healers, bakhshis or dervishes in the form of melodious recitatives, the songs very soon "left to the people" and remained as an astounding folklore inherited from the ancestors.
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| Transmission method |
In the past, Kyrgyz music existed exclusively in oral form. The performers adopted each other's music aurally, thus becoming not only interpreters, but also co-authors. Like so, numerous national melodics and exceptional examples of song creativity were passed on from one generation to another.
The Kyrgyz people used the “ustat-shakirt” system, i.e. "teacher-student" system. To this day, it is the creative "core" of modern professional art education. The relationship between ustat and shakirt among the representatives of folk art was touching. It was both sincere mutual respect and care for each other from the depths of the soul.
Nowadays, songwriting is transmitted mainly in educational institutions of the cultural system on a professional, secondary, and amateur levels.
Great contribution to preservation and transmission of the element is made also by representatives art of songs organisations: Kyrgyz National Conservatory named after K. Moldobasanov, Kyrgyz State Music College named after Muratala Kurenkeev, “Ustatshakirt” Center, music schools, colleges, studios.
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| Community |
The art of songs is spread all over the country, wide community of people. Great contribution to preservation of the element is made also by representatives art of songs organisations: Kyrgyz National Conservatory named after K. Moldobasanov, Kyrgyz State Music College named after Muratala Kurenkeev, “Ustatshakirt” Center, music schools, colleges, studios. |
