ALL
benedictions
ICH Elements 5
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Blessings ‘Alkysh’
Blessings are a specific genre of the oral folk art, which is closely linked with rituals and ceremonies of the Kyrgyz. Origins of this genre are widely presented in Kyrgyz epic heritage, musical and poetic genres of art. The most important life events such as birth, wedding, funerals and many others are continuously followed by the blessings. First of all, a blessing means recognition and incentive of an action. Traditionally, blessings are given to children from the early age on behalf of the recognized honored people, wise ‘aksakals’ (elders), and noble grandmothers, ‘baibiche’. Blessings are given in a slow manner, but solemnly. Although the image and genre expressiveness of blessings remains unchanged, today they vary in themes and contents. If early blessings had a more ritual character, at present they also carry moral, ethical and educational functions.
Kyrgyzstan -
Ode
Magtaal is one of the common forms of Mongolian folk oral poetry which expresses the noble feelings of some objects or events in a poetical sense. Odes differ from benedictions with expressions of present objects or events, as well as people’s pride, admiration, and enthusiasm. Odes are classified as odes to mountains and waters, to rites and practices and to the properties and belongings. The origin and function of the Odes was related to the offering ritual to the invisible deities of the sky, earth, mountains and natural surroundings before the performing the Mongol legend and heroic epics. There is an unwritten law used, such as before start the Herioc Epics Oirat or Western Mongols the ode for “Altain Magtaal” must be said, and before the Khalkh epic the ode for Khangai Mountains must be said. Later, the odes for the mountains and rivers were derived from here.
Mongolia -
Benediction
Benediction is a powerful expression of the miraculous capacity of words. It is one of the genres of Mongolian oral poetry that uses melodies. Benedictions propitiate people’s future happiness and well-being through skillfully composed and recited poems. It is unique in a way that minstrels sing the benediction completely from memory, and also by adding their own versions of words or improvising totally new verses to fit particular situations or events. By the invitation of people, a person who knows the order of feast and ceremonies well and mastered in the benediction and its melody says the benediction with use of the holly silk scarf, milk in the silver bowl, and Airag in bowl. The benediction is oral poetry which contains a beginning, main part and ending part.
Mongolia -
Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian Epic
Mongol Tuuli is an oral tradition comprising heroic epics that run from hundreds to thousands of lines and combine benedictions, eulogies, spells, idiomatic phrases, fairy tales, myths and folk songs. They are regarded as a living encyclopedia of Mongolian oral traditions and immortalize the heroic history of the Mongols. Epic performers are distinguished by their prodigious memory and skills, combining singing, vocal improvisation and musical composition coupled with theatrical elements. Epic lyrics are performed to musical accompaniment on instruments such as morin khuur and tovshuur. Epics are performed during social and public events, including state affairs, weddings, a child’s first haircut, naadam and worship of sacred sites. Epics evolved over many centuries, and reflect nomadic lifestyles, social behaviors, religion, mentalities and imagination. Epic performers cultivate epic traditions from generation to generation, learning, performing and transmitting techniques within kinship circles, from fathers to sons.
Mongolia 2009 -
The words of propitious omens (well-wishing)
The words of propitious omens are the shorter forms of benedictions used for expressing the best regards and happiness in people’s daily routine works and practices. The words of propitious omens are regarded as respect for others and widely used for greeting purposes. The words of omens are predicting the good things that can be happened in the future, and this makes the omens similar to benedictions but its function and use is different. The words of omens do not have different parts, as shorter as possible, words or poems which does not have any melody. The words of omens associated with any actions are always said same and its meaning has a connection to that actions. For instance: if somebody is writing a script, the omen word is said as “May the brush would sharpest”, if somebody is churning the Airag, the omen is said as, “More butter comes to the Airag” and so on.
Mongolia