| Description |
Falak is a traditional folklore music genre of the Tajik people. Falak means «heaven, fortune or universe». The structure of Falak is most often in one section and can form an interlude within a performance. The quatrains or couplet sung by the falak-singers are emotionally expressive and are rich with the philosophy and expressions of destitution of human life. |
| Social and cultural significance |
Falak performs different social functions in the society and has certain social, cultural and even spiritual meaning for community members.
Integration function. Falak performing events are the proper settings for bringing people together despite of their age, gender, religious and ethnic belongings. Therefore, it helps to unite and integrate local people.
Falak as a way for enrichment and conveying the spiritual and folklore heritage. Through performance of Falak, singers transmit a big number of folk quatrains or couplets, classical ghazals (poetries), some of them create new quatrains based on traditional ones. The content of rubai – quatrains are rich of symbols and aesthetic meanings. Falak also can be considered as a means for transmission of the language and its dialects.
In the Badakhshan region, performance of Falak is a part of funeral and spritual rituals. People organize Falak – Maddoh performance event on the third day after burial of the deceased, and close relatives gather in his house, skillful musicians play instruments, and sing ethical and religious songs. According to beliefs, the spirits of deceased persons become happy to hear the melodies of Falak and mourning songs. In some parts of Badakhshan Falak is performed along with a funeral dance.
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| Transmission method |
The knowledge and skills related to the element have been transmitted through the traditional so called “ustod-shogird” (master-disciple) method, a training system being used within family lineages. At present time, the “ustod-shogird” training method has also been adopted in a modified form by colleges and higher educational institutions in Tajikistan. For example, falakkhons are hired as visiting artists in the Tajikistan National Conservatory and in specialized music schools to offer instruction in Falak using the ustod-shogird technique of oral transmission. This technique infuses Falak with a great vitality, also providing it with safeguarding. |
| Community |
The bearers and practitioners of Falak are known as “falakkhons”. Falakkhons are traditional singers and instrumentalists, who perform falak during festivities, ceremonies, and ritual events. Famous falakkhons Odina Hoshim and Davlatmand Kholov have established their family ensembles, which include their brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces and grandchildren. Following their lead there were created other family ensembles of falakkhons, such as Gulchehra Sodiqova, Fayzali Hasanov, Muhammadsafar Murodov, Olucha Muallibshoyev, Bulbul Sultonov and others. Each family ensemble of the above mentioned persons has its leader or chief. The leader is responsible for monitoring the members, accepting invitations, planning activities, contents of repertoire, condition of musical instruments and financial issues.
Thus, today the main bearers of the element are considered to be family ensembles or groups. According to their repertoires, some members are musicians, some of them sing falak songs, women and girls also sing and dance. Based on invitation, these family musical bands participate in the community social gatherings, weddings, and also in the official national ceremonies.
Along with family ensembles there are more professional ensembles within city and district departments of culture, governmental organizations, art schools and institutions, that practice and transmit the element as well.
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| Type of UNESCO List |
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity |
| Incribed year in UNESCO List |
2021 |
