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Traditional music of the Tsuur marks_1
  • Manage No, Sortation, Country, Writer ,Date, Copyright
    Manage No EE00001175
    Country Mongolia
    ICH Domain Performing Arts
    Address
    Khovd, Uvs provinces, Ulaanbaatar city
    Year of Designation 1983
Description 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.
Social and cultural significance In the territory of Central Halh ethnic group, people use the morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle) to coax mother-animals to allow an orphaned animal to nurse, whereas the Urianhaj people of the Mongol Altai region have a tradition to play such melodies as ‘Sarig cagaan ingė’ and ‘Beijing šar at’ on the tsuur in order to accomplish this purpose. Its value is it’s an important part of cultural heritage not only to the bearers, the tribes and the communities who practice this art and produce this musical instrument, but also has very high social and cultural functions that bring certain identity and pride among the communities all over the country.
Transmission method formal, academic and informal training/ apprenticeship training
Community “Association of Khunnu Tsuur" NGO, "Hunnu Tsuur Union" NGO, Among the many ethnic groups living in the western part of Mongolia, the Altai Uriankhai people have inherited a significant amount of Tsuur and passed it on to many younger generations. In addition, there is a growing trend for wind instrument musicians from professional arts organizations in Ulaanbaatar and other aimags to study Tsuur as an addiutional instrument.
Type of UNESCO List List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
Incribed year in UNESCO List 2009
Keyword
Information source
National Center for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture of Mongolia
http://www.ncch.gov.mn

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