Mongolian Throat Singing Tradition

Mongolian Throat Singing Exists and It's Real

On July 11, 2009, Alash, a Mongolian throat singing ensemble, performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., stunning the audience with their unique ability to sing two notes at once. This traditional form of singing, known as "Höömii" or "Hooliin Chor," has been practiced in Mongolia for centuries. Genghis Khan's grandson, Kublai Khan, was said to have been a fan of this singing style, which was often performed during his reign in the 13th century.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that Mongolian throat singing is an obscure and mysterious art form, practiced by a select few in the remote Mongolian steppes. The standard story goes that this type of singing is a dying tradition, passed down from generation to generation, with only a handful of skilled practitioners remaining. However, the history of Mongolian throat singing is more complex and multifaceted than this common narrative suggests.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Carole Pegg, in her book "Mongolian Music, Dance, and Oral Narrative," notes that Mongolian throat singing has a long and well-documented history, with evidence of its existence dating back to 1251, when a Chinese diplomat, Zhao Hong, wrote about the unique singing style of the Mongols. By 1955, the tradition had become an integral part of Mongolian cultural identity, with the formation of the Mongolian State Folk Song and Dance Ensemble, which helped to popularize Höömii among the general population. Historian Theodore Levin, in his book "Where Rivers and Mountains Meet," reveals that the ability to sing two notes at once is not unique to Mongolians, but is also practiced by other cultures in the region, including the Tuvans and the Altaians. Levin also points out that the development of Mongolian throat singing was influenced by the country's strategic location at the crossroads of East Asia and Europe, with various cultures contributing to the evolution of this unique singing style. By 1989, Mongolian throat singing had gained international recognition, with the ensemble Huun-Huur-Tu performing at the Festival of Traditional Music in Moscow, further solidifying its place in the world of music. As the tradition continues to evolve, it is clear that Mongolian throat singing is more than just a quirky anomaly – it is a vibrant and dynamic art form with a rich history and cultural significance.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Ulaanbaatar and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences failed to adequately document and preserve the history of Mongolian throat singing, allowing it to fade from the global cultural consciousness. The Soviet Union's cultural suppression policies during its occupation of Mongolia from 1921 to 1990 also contributed to the marginalization of this unique vocal tradition. Specifically, the Soviet authorities discouraged the practice of throat singing, deeming it a "primitive" and "backward" form of music, and instead promoted Western-style classical music and singing techniques. As a result, many Mongolian musicians and singers were forced to abandon their traditional practices and adopt more "modern" styles, leading to a decline in the popularity and transmission of throat singing skills. The lack of formal music education programs and institutions dedicated to preserving and teaching throat singing techniques also hindered its survival and development.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of Mongolian throat singing had a direct impact on the development of contemporary music in Mongolia, as many young musicians were influenced by Western styles and forgot their cultural heritage. The decline of throat singing also affected the tourism industry, as visitors were no longer able to experience this unique aspect of Mongolian culture. A specific modern consequence of this is the fact that the popular Mongolian heavy metal band "Hunnu Rock" incorporates throat singing into their music, which is a direct result of the efforts of modern musicians to revive and reclaim their cultural traditions.

The Line That Says It All

The Mongolian government officially recognized throat singing as a vital part of the country's intangible cultural heritage in 2009, over 80 years after the tradition had been suppressed by Soviet authorities.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Mongolian cultural history and the tradition of throat singing.