Inscribed in 2008 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (originally proclaimed in 2005)
The Urtiin duu or “long song” is one of the two major forms of Mongolian songs, the other being the short song” (bogino duu). As a ritual form of expression associated with important celebrations and festivities, Urtiin duu plays a distinct and honoured role in Mongolian society. It is performed at weddings, the inauguration of a new home, the birth of a child, the branding of foals and other social events celebrated by Mongolia’s nomadic communities.The Urtiin duu can also be heard at the naadam, a festivity featuring wrestling, archery and horseracing competitions.
The Urtiin duu is a lyrical chant, which is characterized by an abundance of ornamentation, falsetto, an extremely wide vocal range and a free compositional form. The rising melody is slow and steady while the falling melody is often intercepted with a lively rhythm. Performances and compositions of Urtiin duu are closely linked to the pastoral way of life of the Mongolian nomads on their ancestral grasslands.
Widely believed to have originated 2,000 years ago, the Urtiin duu has been recorded in literary works since the thirteenth century. A rich variety of regional styles has been preserved until today, and performances as well as contemporary compositions still play a major role in the social and cultural life of nomads living in Mongolia and in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Republic, located in the northern part of the People’s Republic of China.
Since the 1950s, urbanization and industrialization have increasingly superseded traditional nomadic lifestyles, leading to the loss of many traditional practices and expressions. Parts of the grasslands where tradition-bearers used to live as nomads have fallen victim to desertification, causing many families to shift to a sedentary way of life where many classical themes of Urtiin duu, such as the praise of typical nomads’ virtues and experiences, lose their relevance.
The Mongolian traditional long song singer Namjilyn Norovbanzad
A Performing Presence
Namjilyn Norovbanzad (Mongolian: Намжилын Норовбанзад); (1931–2002) was a Mongolian singer of the traditional long song.
Born in southern Dundgovi province of Mongolia, Norovbanzad grew up in a family of herders. She started her working career as a typist at the provincial court in 1952. After winning several local and provincial singing competitions she moved to the capital city Ulaanbaatar to pursue her singing career full-time.
Norovbanzad was awarded Ardiyn jujigchin (“National Artist”) merit by the Government of Mongolia in 1999 and was voted the Singer of the Century by the people in 2000. In 1957 she won a gold medal of the World Festival of Youth and Students held in Moscow with 34,000 participants, and the Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in the category "Arts and Culture" in 1993.
The Mongolian folk long song Master Alatengqiqige
A Performing Presence
Alatanqiqige, female, Mongolian, national first-class performer, solo singer of Inner Mongolia Radio and Television Art Troupe, famous singer. Member of the Chinese Vocal Music Society, member of the Chinese Minority Acoustic Society, member of the Chinese Musicians Association, and director of the Inner Mongolia Musicians Association. The Central University for Nationalities is specially appointed as a professor and a master tutor at the Music College of Inner Mongolia Normal University. Over the years, Alatan has visited Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, Vietnam and other countries, and has participated in art festivals and art exchange activities in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She has successfully held a solo concert for many times. Her thick, bright, infectious voice and thick Mongolian long-song singing skills have been praised by industry experts as "the national treasure of the Mongolian long-term folk songs of the new era", and also known as "the song of the heavens." In particular, the Mongolian long-range folk song she sang was approved by UNESCO on November 15, 2005 as “a representative work of human oral and intangible cultural heritage”. The famous writer Xi Murong commented on Alatan’s admiration: “Listening to her voice is to listen to the deep heart of the Mongolian people. The strong and gentle touch makes us unforgettable.。
The Mongolian folk long song singer Doctor Narantuya
A Performing Presence
Famous Mongolian long-time artist a student of the world's long-distance master Norovbanzad。She has so far entered the stage of more than 30 countries in the world to sing the Mongolian long-term popularity. In July 2000, he was invited to participate in the "French International Minority Art Festival" performance in Paris, France. In July 2000, he was invited to participate in the "American Mongolian Culture and Art Festival" in New York, USA. In August 2000 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, he was invited to participate in the "Norwegian Mongolian National Culture and Art Festival" performance. In December 2000, in the Ulan-Ude city of the Russian Federation, he won the first prize in the "World Mongolian National Long-Term Competition"