Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian epic
Title
Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian epic
Alternative Title
Монгол тууль
Publication Type
Language
mon
eng
Location
Mongolia
Keywords
Epic
Tuuli
Tradition
Oral tradition
Music
Relevance to ICH Safeguarding
ICH Genre
Description
Inscribed in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The Mongolian 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 Mongolian people. Epic singers are distinguished by their prodigious memory and performance skills, combining singing, vocal improvisation, and musical composition coupled with theatrical elements. Epic lyrics are performed to musical accompaniment on instruments such as the morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) and tovshuur (lute). Epics are performed during many social and public events, including state affairs, weddings, a child’s first haircut, the naadam (a wrestling, archery, and horseracing festival), and the worship of sacred sites. Epics evolved over many centuries and reflect nomadic lifestyles, social behaviors, religion, mentalities, and imagination.
Publisher
National Center for Cultural Heritage
Place of Publication
Mongolia
Date of Publication
2022
Academic Field
heritage management
Community/Ethnic Group
Mongolia
Active Contribution
Mongolia, FY 2024