Traditional / folk music of Mongolia
Mongolia is a country and nation with the largest Empire in the history of civilization. In the 13th century, Genghis Khan and then his sons ruled a territory from China to Europe. During the history of Mongolian people, there was a famous phrase: "A Mongol born on a horse and die on a horse". That was how they conquered the world two times on their horses and established the largest Empire two times. Today the population of Mongolian people are about 2.5 million and they are mostly Buddhists. They live in a country with large and unlimited steppes. Tuva people are also part of Mongolian people although politically they are part of Russia today on the border with Mongolia.
Folk and traditional music is an important part of culture and life of Mongolian people and their folk music has a deep root in the history, their geography of steppes and daily tribal life with horses. Mongolian people are consist of many different ethnic groups like Oirats, Hotogoid, Tuvans, Darhad, Buryats, Tsaatan, Dariganga, Uzemchins, Barga, Kazakhs and Khalha.
Some of the famous genre of folk music of Mongolia which can be named, are listed here:
Long song
This type of folk music is related to nomadic life and huge steps. It is said that Long songs have the oldest melodies of Mongolia. The idea of this type of folk music is extend the pronunciation of the vowels for a long time. Maybe a four minutes song only consist of ten words. It reminds of nomadic life of steppe in melancholic way. The songs can be with different themes from love to philosophical ideas. In the east of Mongolia usually people play it with morin khuur and some other ethnic groups play this type of folk music with igil (both instruments are fiddle style instrument).
Short song
This type of folk music is younger than Long song. It has more fun and it is livelier and also easier to perform. Usually it is about love, women and horses.
Magtaal
This type of folk music still exists and popular. It is a poetic praise dedicated to different contexts. From a powerful wrestler to scared mountains or even the victories of a horse.
Throat singing
The most characteristic and most well-known aspect of Mongolian folk music in the world is Throat singing. It is originated from south west of Mongolia but during the history it spreads through the country between all ethnic groups. It has different branches and techniques. The most well-known type of this folk music is known as Khoomii or hoomi. The main idea is to produce two distinctively audible pitches at the same time. One lower pedal tone and a higher melodic note. Throat singing is used in some other countries in the world too but Mongolia is the richest and the most active country in this type of music.
Mongolia has amazing traditional instruments. The most famous one is Morin khuur which is fiddle music instrument. It has two strings and it is a symbol of Mongolia. It is also known as horsehead fiddle. Some believes that originally it was shamanistic instrument. Some other significant instruments in folk music of Mongolia are shants (three stringed lute), khuuchir, igil (both are bowed instrument), everburee (a folk oboe), khel khuur (Jew's harp) and many more.
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Traditional / folk songs for Mongolia
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