Just a quick reply to all these very good points. I was informed about this situation by a Monglian sometime ago and emailed Unesco. The upshot of this is that anyone who lays claim to an intangibale cultural heritage has to apply to Unesco. I contacted the Mongolian cultural attache in London and they contacted the Mongolian government in Ulaanbaatar who replied saying that they are dealing with this side of things. I suggest someone contact the Tuvan authorities to do the same as I do not have the contactes in that area of the world.
The idea of intangible cultural heritage is in my opinion a political, cultural, historical, financial and music business minefield. It is wonderful to promote all stlyes of harmonic overtone singing, but when anyone claims ownership of it, it can cause so many bad vibes.
I mentioned to UNESCO that there was a very strong tradition of overtone singing in Germany and that they should clain intangible heritage. Apparantly this cannot happen as germany is not signed up, but in theory if it did, then this could happen! Cray world.
Regarding inner Mongolia, all the points mentioned above by everyone I feel are valid. Who knows where Khoomii/ei started. Although I do have a recording from inner Monfgolia,The Haslund-Christensen Collection no. 143 of Two men singing together, recorded on August 23rd 1938 in Khukhu Khoto. One of them seems to be singing a type of Khargiraa, which is basically just a drone for the other singer to sing a melody ontop in a non overtone singing voice. This is very interesting but proves nothing.
Thanks Jens, for a linkt to this discussion. Have not read all your posts yet, but yesterday also a friend from Tuva asked for signature.
Well, if China wants to have khoomei as their heritage, then Russia has the same right..
Hi Iza, I saw that more then 8700 people signed this petition now. Yes, if China wants to have khoomei as their heritage, then Russia has the same right and Mongolia of course too. Therefore khoomei can be listed only as multinational intangible heritage. I think what Hing Chao has posted here is important: » Hoomei is a very important heritage of Inner Mongolia but at the same time it certainly does not lay exclusive claim to it. «
As far as I know there were only a limited number of traditional Hoomei practitioners in Inner Mongolia, predominantly in the central and western parts of the province, until a few years ago. However, since early 2000s there is rapid rise in Hoomei singers, with many youngsters learning the art at various music schools, institutes, and universities. China has certainly pumped a lot of resources to promote items that have been listed as national intangible heritage, and if it happens to resonate with 'nationalities harmony' so much the better. This is why the musical tradition of Mukam from Xinjiang came top of the national list 2 years ago.
Over the last decade there is also a rise in the interest of traditional Mongolian music in China, with several orchestras formed to revive and promote Mongolian court music from the Qing period.
As far as I am concerned, Mongolian court music - as well as much of its culture - developed and evolved as a result of prolonged cultural contact and exchange with neighbouring peoples and states including China. It is testimony to the importance of cultural exchange in the making of societies and world history.
Hoomei is a very important heritage of Inner Mongolia but at the same time it certainly does not lay exclusive claim to it.
I've heard/read similar things about the number of xoomi singers in China's Xinjiang region and Inner Mongolia, that there were a fair number before Communism, but they were discouraged until there were only a few left. It's interesting: if you listen to the new generation of Inner Mongolian singers, you can hear the influence of Odsuren, who is the most prolific teacher in Ulaanbaatar. He travels to Inner Mongoia frequently and is one the singers standing up at a formal ceremony in the Chinese UNESCO video.
As for Qing music, I don't know enough about it, but would love to learn more. I do know that the Qing dynasty was created by the Manchu, a Tungusic group, not a Mongol group. But because of Kubilai Khan, the Mongol empoeror who sinicized his leadership to appeal to his Chinese subjects, Mongolian cultural elements were embedded into many aspects of Chinese culture. And the Qing inherited this when they descended from the Northwest and took over. I can't think of any but a few slight references of xoomi thorugh out this time, nothing tangible.
Thanks Steve for giving our attention to this cause that Chinese officials registered "Khoomei" or Mongolian throat singing in their Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. As we know Khoomii is a unique Mongolian art of singing that has been practiced in Mongolia, Tuva and Inner Mongolia.
But China, representing its autonomous region Inner Mongolia, has registered it as their sole intellectual property. Yes, it is enough to look at this : link - horrible is this UNESCO TV movie and that they don't accept any comments to this video.
Replies
Steve Sklar said:
Thank for this. Great news that the Mongolian tradition has been recognised. let's hope that The Tuvan tradition is recognised by UNESCO soon.
So, Mongolia is "in the club." Hopefully Russia will act soon, too.
Just a quick reply to all these very good points. I was informed about this situation by a Monglian sometime ago and emailed Unesco. The upshot of this is that anyone who lays claim to an intangibale cultural heritage has to apply to Unesco. I contacted the Mongolian cultural attache in London and they contacted the Mongolian government in Ulaanbaatar who replied saying that they are dealing with this side of things. I suggest someone contact the Tuvan authorities to do the same as I do not have the contactes in that area of the world.
The idea of intangible cultural heritage is in my opinion a political, cultural, historical, financial and music business minefield. It is wonderful to promote all stlyes of harmonic overtone singing, but when anyone claims ownership of it, it can cause so many bad vibes.
I mentioned to UNESCO that there was a very strong tradition of overtone singing in Germany and that they should clain intangible heritage. Apparantly this cannot happen as germany is not signed up, but in theory if it did, then this could happen! Cray world.
Regarding inner Mongolia, all the points mentioned above by everyone I feel are valid. Who knows where Khoomii/ei started. Although I do have a recording from inner Monfgolia,The Haslund-Christensen Collection no. 143 of Two men singing together, recorded on August 23rd 1938 in Khukhu Khoto. One of them seems to be singing a type of Khargiraa, which is basically just a drone for the other singer to sing a melody ontop in a non overtone singing voice. This is very interesting but proves nothing.
keep the good work up
Well, if China wants to have khoomei as their heritage, then Russia has the same right..
Over the last decade there is also a rise in the interest of traditional Mongolian music in China, with several orchestras formed to revive and promote Mongolian court music from the Qing period.
As far as I am concerned, Mongolian court music - as well as much of its culture - developed and evolved as a result of prolonged cultural contact and exchange with neighbouring peoples and states including China. It is testimony to the importance of cultural exchange in the making of societies and world history.
Hoomei is a very important heritage of Inner Mongolia but at the same time it certainly does not lay exclusive claim to it.
As for Qing music, I don't know enough about it, but would love to learn more. I do know that the Qing dynasty was created by the Manchu, a Tungusic group, not a Mongol group. But because of Kubilai Khan, the Mongol empoeror who sinicized his leadership to appeal to his Chinese subjects, Mongolian cultural elements were embedded into many aspects of Chinese culture. And the Qing inherited this when they descended from the Northwest and took over. I can't think of any but a few slight references of xoomi thorugh out this time, nothing tangible.
But China, representing its autonomous region Inner Mongolia, has registered it as their sole intellectual property. Yes, it is enough to look at this : link - horrible is this UNESCO TV movie and that they don't accept any comments to this video.
Hopefully 500.000 people will sign the CHINA, KHOOMII NOT YOURS DONT REGISTER IN UNESCO
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