What is the mongolian long folk song?
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 honored role in Mongolian society.
The vast plains of Mongolia have influenced the range of the Mongolian voice, in other words, it can be said that it is a dialect that arose from the daily life of the nomads. In addition to the meaning of the long song, it has a meaning that emerges from the life of the people, and there is no author of the words or composer of the melody.
The Origin and History of Long Folk Song
2000 years ago, there is a legend about the origin of a long song related to Modun Shanyu, king of the Hunnu Dynasty, which became powerful in Mongolia. This is the earliest fact of a long folk song.
Scientists who study long songs believe that the most influential factors in the development of long songs are ritual calls. Example: hunt, horse giingoo, wrestling title, khuumii.
What are the characteristics of a long folk song?
Characteristics of ”urtiin duu” vary depending on the occasion for which they are sung. They can be celebratory, sorrowful, or reflect the natural beauty of Mongolia’s landscape. typically last for hours and require great stamina from the singer. To be able to sing an urtiin duu well requires years of training and practice.
- The long folk song has a very rich rhythm.
- The sound of the length jumps very far from subtle tones suddenly to coarse tones, and from coarse tones suddenly to subtle tones.
- A long folk song requires a lot of inner imagination, vocal strength and personal skills from the singer.
- Shuranhai is one of the unique features that define the beauty of Mongolian long folk songs. Shurankhai is an irreplaceable precious heritage in the treasury of music.
What is the classification of long folk song?
According to researchers, there are currently more than 6,000 long songs, of which about 60 are actively sung.
When classifying long songs in terms of content:
- a song of praise
- historical song
- lyric song
- labor song
- teaching song
When classifying long songs in terms of their music:
- aizam urtiin duu
- normal urtiin duu
- besreg urtiin duu
How to sing a long folk song?
The way of singing long songs is unique in the region. The style of long song depends on many factors such as social and historical influences, as well as the characteristics of the environment, customs, language and culture. A popular way of singing among Mongolians is the central halkh melody.
The philosophical content of long folk songs:
The long song has an educational function that conveys customs and teachings. The Mongolian folk song called “Ulemji’s Quality” is a long Mongolian folk song that praises the beauty of a woman through the five human senses. The song “Ar khuvchiin unaga” is a song about a young man who misses his darling and rushes to his beloved on a horse given to him.
Here are the facts about long folk songs:
Fact 1: The long folk song is sung along with the traditional fiddle and flute.
Fact 2: The long Mongolian folk song has been registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.
Fact 3: In some cases, a full-length song may be four minutes long, but may have about ten words.
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Mongolian culture, heritage, and traditions
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