Traditional music of the Tsuur

Inscribed in 2009 (4.COM) on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

Tsuur music is based on a combination of instrumental and vocal performance – a blending of sounds created simultaneously by both the musical instrument and the human throat. Tsuur music has an inseparable connection to the Uriankhai Mongolians of the Altai Region, and remains an integral part of their daily life. Its origins lie in an ancient practice of worshipping nature and its guardian spirits by emulating natural sounds. The Tsuur is a vertical pipe-shaped wooden wind instrument with three fingerholes. Simultaneously touching the mouthpiece of the pipe with one’s front teeth and applying one’s throat produces a unique timbre comprising a clear and gentle whistling sound and a drone. The Tsuur is traditionally played to ensure success for hunts, for benign weather, as a benediction for safe journeys or for weddings and other festivities. The music reflects one’s inner feelings when travelling alone, connects a human to nature, and serves as a performing art. The Tsuur tradition has faded over recent decades as a consequence of negligence and animosity toward folk customs and religious faith, leaving many locales with no Tsuur performer and no families possessing a Tsuur. The forty known pieces preserved among the Uriankhai Mongolians are transmitted exclusively through the memory of successive generations – a feature making this art highly vulnerable to the risk of disappearing.

: © 2006 by Yu. Boldbaatar

: © 2006 by Yu. Boldbaatar

: © 2007 by B. Naranbat

: © 2007 by B. Naranbat

: © 2000 by B. Naranbat

: © 2001 by B. Naranbat

: © 2002 by Yu. Boldbaatar

: © 2006 by S. Yundenbat

: © 2006 by S. Yundenbat

: © 2006 by S. Yundenbat

Periodic Report (USL)

A. Cover sheet

A.1.

State Party

Name of State Party

Mongolia

A.2.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

This information is available online.

2005-06-29

A.3.

Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report

Name of element

Traditional music of the Tsuur

Inscribed in

2009

Submitting State(s)

Mongolia

A.4.

Reporting period covered by this report

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

01-01-2018 - 31-12-2021

A.5.

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Please list all other elements from your country inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, together with the year of inscription; for multinational elements, please indicate the other States concerned.

Coaxing ritual for camels (2015)
Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances - circular breathing (2011)
Mongol Biyelgee, Mongolian traditional folk dance (2009)
Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian epic (2009)
Mongolian calligraphy (2013)
Mongolian traditional practices of worshipping the sacred sites (2017)

A.6.

Executive summary of the report

Please provide an executive summary of the report that will allow general readers to understand the current status of the element, any positive or negative impacts of inscription, the implementation of safeguarding measures during the reporting period and their possible update for the following years.

Since the inscription of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” heritage, Mongolia has undertaken multifaceted activities to identify the practitioners of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur", establish a registry database, research, promote, and transmit this cultural heritage to future generations. Consequently, the number of practitioners and learners has been increasing. With the aim to urgently safeguard the “Traditional music of the Tsuur,” consistent efforts in the field of creating a social environment among the Altai Uriankhai – an ethnic group in the western region of Mongolia, reviving and distributing this art in the area, and supporting the tsuur music and its performers have therefore protected tsuur music from its extinction and its has been strengthened.

During the reporting period of 2018-2021:

In collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, National Center for Cultural Heritage (NCCH), "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO, Khovd Province Governor's Office, and N. Chuluun Music and Drama Theater, University of Culture and Arts, Khovd University, and the Mongolian State Conservatory, the following research, capacity-building, and advocacy-based activities were organized to identify and promote practitioners, and to expand formal and informal training in the capital city and local areas:

- The “Nomadic Mongolia 2018” Intangible Cultural Heritage Festival was organized nationwide in 2018 within the framework of the five domains of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Representatives from Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, Darkhan, Bayan-Ulgii, Khovd, Uvs, and Govisumber provinces participated in this festival. During that time, epic-tellers such as B.Naranbat, E.Baatarjav, and A.Baldanoroj were honored as “The most internationally acclaimed bearer of tsuur”
- In 2018 Tsuur performer B.Naranbat played the tsuur music in integration with B.Khurelbaatar's “Baatar Khairkhan,” which won the Grand Prix of the 31st Morin Khuur Festival.
- Since 2018, Khovd province has been organizing a festival named after P.Narantsogt every two years.
- In 2018, more than 20 tsuur performers have participated in the “First Asian Folk Art Festival”, under the “Folk Art” category, which was organized under the auspices of the H.E Mr. U.Khurelsukh, Prime Minister of Mongolia.
- In 2020, the Mongolian State Conservatory has developed the “Tsuur” music curriculum for the Department of Folk Arts of the National School of Music, and the program was approved by the Minister of Education, Culture, and Science on 20 April 2020, under the Order A/199.
- Professional arts organizations such as the National Theater of Arts, Khovd, Tuv, Govisumber, Uvs, Bayan-Ulgii provinces Music and Drama Theaters, traditional arts such as The “HU,” Tsalam, Khusugton, Jangar, Altai, ethno-modern, and ethno-rock bands have performances integrated with tsuur music.
- In 2018-2021, approximately 80 people have been trained in Ulaanbaatar, Erdenet, Darkhan-Uul cities and Khuvsgul, Bayankhongor, Bayan-Ulgii, and Khovd provinces.

A.7.

Contact person for correspondence

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Family name

Tserendorj

Given name

Tsolmon

Institution/position

Coordination Officer for Policy Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of Cultural Heritage Ministry of Culture

Address

Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, Sukhbaatar district, 7th sub-district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Telephone number

+976 51-265617; +976 99057308

E-mail address

tsolmon@moc.gov.mn

Other relevant information

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

Refer to the nomination file or to previous reports, if any, as the basis for reporting on the current status of the element, and report only on relevant changes since the date of inscription on the List or since the previous report. Nomination files, specific timetables and earlier reports, if any, are available at https://ich.unesco.org or from the Secretariat, upon request.

The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report, and is asked to describe how it has done so in point D below.

B.1.

Social and cultural functions

Please explain the social and cultural functions and meanings of the element today, within and for its community, the characteristics of the bearers and practitioners, and any specific roles or categories of persons with special responsibilities towards the element, among others. Attention should be given to any relevant changes related to inscription criterion U.1 (‘the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention’).

In 2007, when the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” was nominated to the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the viability of this heritage was at a high-risk circumstance. The existing environment of this heritage was at risk of extinction due to social, economical, common cultural influences and the insufficient number of practitioners. Since the inscription of this element on the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, it had an awe-inspiring socio-cultural significance on practitioners of this heritage, and affiliated tribes, and communities, as well as it became an integral part of a cultural tradition of Mongolians, thereby providing a sense of accomplishment, the pride in one's heritage, and importance of preparing the continuity.

Furthermore, activities implemented by governmental and non-governmental organizations, scholars, and talented folks' activities, enlightenment, cognitive books, brochures, documentaries, and programs to preserve, safeguard and promote “Traditional music of the Tsuur” has been increasing public awareness and understanding of the role and importance of tsuur music in today's society and culture.

It is also worth mentioning that their cultural and creative industry with cultural tourism-based products has been created as a result of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur”.
“Traditional music of the Tsuur” is performed at the music orchestra of the National Arts Theater as well as in modern ethno-modern and ethno-rock band shows integrated with tsuur music. For instance, Jangar, Khusugtun, Altai, Tsalam, and The HU band perform their music with the inclusion of tsuur. In particular, the HU's Biy Bielgee, Khar Ayangga, and Shireg Shireg perform their shows by playing tsuur and they are promoting it internationally. There is also a growing tendency for young people to innovate and develop the art of the tsuur by playing it with modern compositions and other musical instruments.

B.2.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Please describe the current level of viability of the element, particularly the frequency and extent of its practice, the strength of traditional modes of transmission, the demographics of practitioners and audiences and its sustainability. Please also identify and describe the threats, if any, to the element's continued transmission and enactment and describe the severity and immediacy of such threats, giving particular attention to any strengthening or weakening of the element’s viability subsequent to inscription.

As the “Traditional music of the tsuur” was listed on UNESCO List of ICHs in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, it has been receiving more public recognition, and the range of practitioners, researchers, performers, listeners, and amateurs have been rising year by year.

From 2009-2021, the art of tsuur expanded beyond one tribe, spread to folk talents, students, and musicians through formal and informal training, enlarged the range of learners and performers, and public awareness of tsuur-related customs and traditions is on the rise. Since the inscription of this element, its viability has improved and it could be inferred that it is no longer in danger of extinction.

Accordingly, collaboration to jointly study, protect, preserve, and promote “Traditional music of the tsuur” and to organize training to exchange the experiences were created between the practitioners, colleagues, and scholars of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China.

As globalization, urbanization, and sedentary lifestyles expand, the native space of traditional culture and the environment of tsuur music is shifting and evolving from a ritual scope to a form of an artistic performance. To preserve and develop the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” heritage in its native cultural space, it is necessary to establish training centers in Duut, Munkhkhairkhan of Khovd province, Bayan-Ulgii province centers, Buyant and Altai soums, where the Uriankhai ethnic group is concentrated.

From 2019 to the present day, the globally-spread COVID-19 pandemic has been imposing challenges to continue research and training on tsuur.

Within the framework of Mongolia’s objective to transfer “Traditional music of the Tsuur” from the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the “Representative List of the ICH of Humanity,” we emphasize implementing policy in developing the main ethnic of the practitioners- Uriankhai- whose native environment is concentrated in Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii and Khuvsgul provinces, and we aim to increase public awareness, promote, and improve the quality of the training curriculum.

B.3.

Implementation of safeguarding measures

Please report on the safeguarding measures described in the nomination file, and previous report, if any. Describe how they have been implemented and how they have substantially contributed to the safeguarding of the element during the reporting period, taking note of external or internal constraints such as limited resources. Include, in particular, information on the measures taken to ensure the viability of the element by enabling the community to continue to practise and transmit it. Include the following detailed information concerning the implementation of the set of safeguarding measures or safeguarding plan:

B.3.a. Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

During this reporting period 2018-2021, the following objectives were set to safeguard the “Mongolian Tsuur” traditional music:

1. To enhance the legal environment for the preservation and safeguarding of the Mongol Tsuur;
2. To develop research on Mongol Tsuur;
3. To identify effective methods of formal and non-formal training and to use them in practice;
4. To support the proposals and initiatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, individuals, and folk talents aimed at disseminating and promoting the art of tsuur music;
5. To establish a specialized registry and database of tsuur and its performers;
6. To encourage and promote tsuur performers

Result:

1. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the approval of the National Program for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, under the Government Resolution No. 68 of 2019 on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, has been stopped for until today.
2. In 2019, in the framework of expanding the “Traditional music of the Tsuur" heritage research, under the Inner Mongolia Cultural Development Project, Ch. Buyandelger, B.Zagdjav, and B.Naranbat from "Inner Mongolia Audio and Video Publishing Committee" co-authored a research book, “Mongolian Nation Tsuur”.
3. In 2020, the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science of Mongolia approved the curriculum “Methodology of playing tsuur music” to be studied in the Department of Root Arts of the National Conservatory of Music of the Mongolian State Conservatory.
4. Public television is actively involved in raising people's awareness to disseminate, promote, preserve, and transmit the “Traditional music of the Tsuur" heritage. For example, the “Uv Soyol” editorial office of the Mongolian National Broadcaster produced “Uvlukhuiin Ukhaan” program about Tsuur performer B.Naranbat, TV5 TV-“Tsenkher Khadag” program, and Suld TV- “Tsuurin Amiraj” program.
5. As part of the annual “Tea Road” festival in Khovd province, a festival named after P.Narantsogt is traditionally organized every two years by the Khovd Province Governor's Office and the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO.
6. Expanding the scope of the “Folk Art Festival", which has been traditionally held every five years since 1956, the “NOMAD MONGOLIA” festival was organized in Ulaanbaatar, in line with the five domains of UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2018. During that time, B. Naranbat, E.Baatarjav, and A.Baldanoroj were honored as “The most internationally acclaimed bearer of tsuur.” This step was of an utmost cognitive importance, as it inspired students to be interested in tsuur music.
7. We support and cooperate with governmental and non-governmental organizations, individuals, and talented folks’ initiatives to disseminate and promote the traditional art of tsuur music.

B.3.b. Safeguarding activities

List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.

Key activities implemented during the reporting period:

1. In the framework of enhancing the legal environment for the safeguarding of the Mongolian Tsuur:
- The Government of Mongolia has approved and implemented the “Regulation on awarding monetary rewards to practitioners who have made significant contributions to the promotion and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage” by the Resolution No. 354 of 2018.
- In July 2021, the Government of Mongolia approved a resolution to amend the Law on Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage, which includes the following provisions related to regulations:

New provisions:
- 8.6. “The government will approve the procedure for nominating and assessing immovable historical and cultural monuments under the state protection category, and outstandingly valuable monuments category, and registering national and a UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
- 13.1.14. Based on the proposal of the state central administrative body in charge of cultural affairs, approve the national and a representative list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding and its practitioners;
- 14.1.10. Safeguard and restore the authenticity and integrity of historical and cultural immovable monuments listed in the World Heritage’s Tentative List and the World Heritage List, and to allocate the state budget annually to implement the measures on protecting and strengthening the viability of intangible cultural heritage listed in the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.
- 14.1.17. Take measures in the inscription process of immovable historical and cultural monuments in the World Heritage List, and in the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding

Modified and added sections and provisions:
- 8.4. ICH shall be inspected in the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the National List of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding, considering its historical, cultural, artistic, aesthetic, and scientific value and importance.
- 27.3. Authority to conduct paleontological, archeological exploration, excavation, and ICH research in the territory of Mongolia shall be commissioned by the Member of the government in charge of cultural affairs based on the proposal of the Professional Council under the state central administrative body in charge of cultural affairs

Note: The above-mentioned amendments shall be followed by starting from January first of 2022.

2. In 2018, within the development of tsuur research overseas:
- The "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO, in collaboration with the Mongolian Audio and Video Publishing Committee at the Inner Mongolia Institute of Arts, released three A, B, and C CD’s "Praise of Altai" by Ch.Buyandelger and B.Naranbat, which consists 45 tsuur melodies.
- Within the framework of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Cultural Policy Project, Ch.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, and B.Zagdjav, members of the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO, together with the Inner Mongolia Audio and Video Publishing Committee, published a research book “Mongolian Nation Tsuur” in their international cooperation.

3. Within the formal and non-formal training:
- In 2018, “Tuuli and Tsuur palace” was established in the center of Duut soum by the initiatives of the Local council of Duut soum, Khovd province in Ulaanbaatar and Ch.Batkhuyag and N.Damdindorj are conducting a tsuur apprenticeship training.

- In 2018 and 2019, training was held in Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii, Khentii, and Khuvsgul provinces, but at the end of 2019, the training and performances were ceased due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- In 2018, Khovd University of Khovd province launched the “Folk Art” class, and the music lessons were conducted according to the approved program.
- In August 2018, within the framework of perpetuating the fame of Narantsogt Paarain, a well-known tsuur performer (1921-2003), and studying, promoting, and transmitting the uniqueness of the school and repertory for descendants, a festival named after “Altai Uriankhai's renowned tsuur performer Narantsogt Paarain” was organized in Khovd province to develop the living tradition of Mongolian tsuur music, to present it to the public, and to strengthen the practice of tsuur performers. A total of 40 tsuur performers participated in the two-stage festival, where they competed in their repertoire and skills. The winner was B.Zagdjav, and N.Buyanzaya took second place, and lastly, it is N.Buyandelger who got third place.
- In 2018, the Culture and Heritage Editorial Office of the Mongolian National Broadcaster Televisions with B.Naranbat co-created the program “ Heritage wisdom” and accomplished works to increase public awareness and understanding with frequencies.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 4 out of 7 tsuur apprenticeship training centers have been closed for an indefinite period of time since 2019, while 3 remaining centers are combining the classrooms and online style teaching
- The “Department of Folk Arts” was established at the Mongolian State Conservatory, and the professional program of tsuur music was approved by the Order A / 199 of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science on 20 April 2020. The program has been included in the 32-hour approved bachelor's program in the first and second semesters.

4. Within the of creation of a specialized registry-database of tsuur art and its performers:
We have created and enriched a specialized database of tsuur art and its performers:
Training center: There is a total of 7 apprenticeship training centers, of which 3 operate in the classroom.

Craft: These 9 people: N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, N.Amartuvshin, N. Sanjaadorj, T.Erdenebat, B.Batbuyan, G.Nyamjantsan and Kh.Byambajav, and “Khan Khuur” LLC and “Egshiglen Magnai” LLC craft the tsuur music instruments.

Repertory: Up to date, about 40 traditional melodies and harmonies have been recorded in the repertoire. However, there is a growing tendency for young people to innovatively develop tsuur art by merging it with modern music and other instruments when performing.

Practitioners: According to the National Cultural Heritage Registration and Information Database, more than 80 students have been registered for the basic training of tsuur in 2021

B.3.c. Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Describe how communities, groups or, if appropriate, individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have effectively participated, including in terms of gender roles, in the safeguarding measures. Describe the role of the implementing organization or body (name, background, etc.) and the human resources that were available for implementing safeguarding activities.

The Ministry of Culture, Mongolia has paid continuous effort in the enhancement and development of the policy documents for safeguarding of this heritage element and the National Center for Cultural Heritage has regularly updated the registration and inventorying of the heritage besides with safeguarding measures. In addition, government and non-governmental organizations in Khovd, Bayan-Olgii, Uvs and Khovsgol provinces and Ulaanbaatar city has involved actively in the safeguarding measures in cooperation with practitioners, researchers and scholars of this element.

Article 34 of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage defines for the first time the "rights and duties of intangible cultural heritage practitioners", Article 34.1.1, Section 2 states that the bearer "shall be to receive financial support to protect, transmit, and recreate the intangible cultural heritage, under the necessary circumstances”, and Article 34.2 Section 2 states practitioners "to teach students, transmit to next generation, to disseminate, promote, provide assistance to record information, and conduct registration of intangible cultural heritage".

In this regard, practitioners have been actively involved in preserving, transmitting, studying, restoring, and promoting the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” heritage through the media, radio, and television.

The following practitioners play a crucial role in preserving, transmitting, researching, promoting, and organizing training of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” tradition:

Apprenticeship training: B.Naranbat, E.Baatarjav, N.Damdindorj, N.Buyandelger B.Zagdjav
Classroom training: G.Nyamjantsan, N.Sanjaadorj

Tsuur music handscraftmen: N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, N.Amartuvshin, Kh.Byambajav, N.Sanjaadorj, T.Erdenebat

B.3.d. Timetable

Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented.

The following activities have been carried out to preserve and safeguard the traditional music of the Mongolian tsuur:
- In 2018, “Tuuli and Tsuur palace” was established in the center of Duut soum by the initiatives of the Local council of Duut soum in Ulaanbaatar.
- The "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO, in collaboration with the Mongolian National Audio and Video Publishing Committee at the Inner Mongolia Institute of Arts, released three A, B, and C CD’s "Praise of Altai" by Ch.Buyandelger and B.Naranbat, in which it consists 45 tsuur melodies.
- In 2018, a festival named after P.Narantsogt was organized by the Khovd Province Governor's Office and the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO
- In 2018, 20 people participated in the “NOMADIC MONGOLIA” festival organized in Ulaanbaatar within the framework of the five domains of UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage.
- In 2019, in the context of the project to develop the culture of Inner Mongolia and to expand the research of the traditional art of Mongolian tsuur, Ch.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, and B.Zagdjav, along with the Inner Mongolia Audio and Video Publishing Committee, published a research book “Mongolian Nation Tsuur.”
- In accordance with the order A/199 of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science of Mongolia of 20 April 2020, the “Methodology of playing tsuur music” curriculum has been approved and being implemented at the Department of Folk Arts of the Mongolia State Conservatory.
- Khovd University of Khovd province launched the “Folk Art” class, and since 2018, music lessons have been being conducted in congruence to the approved program.

B.3.e. Budget expenditures

Provide the detailed amounts of the funds used for the implementation of each activity (if possible, in US dollars), identifying the funding source for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

Article 41 of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage, approved by the Parliament of Mongolia in 2014, states that “The activities for the protection of cultural heritage shall be financed by the state, local budgets, assistance, donations, and funds by Mongolian and foreign citizens, as well as legal entities, international organizations, and other resources.” In Article 13, Section 13.1.13, it is stated that “Allocate funds in the state budget for the activities to promote, transmit, preserve and safeguard the cultural properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and submit nomination proposals of the cultural heritage of the World Heritage List.” Furthermore, Article 15 on “Powers of the Citizens’ Representatives Khurals of provinces, the capital city, soums, and district” and its Section 15.1.1 states “Monitor and approve the necessary budget to develop plans and programs for implementation, as well as provide the implementation of the legislation concerning the protection of cultural heritage within their territory” and Article 16 on “Powers of the Government of provinces and the capital city”, and its Section 16.1.12 states “Identify practitioners of intangible cultural heritage, as well as provide publicly and assistance and organize activities of transmission.” This resolution allows the budget allocated to the local areas to provide expenditure on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.

In accordance with Article 15 of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage, Khovd province has been organizing and financing certain activities for the preservation of tsuur music in 2018.

These include:

- 5,000,000 (Five million tugriks) MNT was spent to organize a festival named after well-known tsuur performer P.Narantsogt in 2018.
- In 2018, the local council of Khovd province’s Duut soum based in Ulaanbaatar established the “Tuuli and Tsuur Palace” by raising 63,000,000 (sixty-three million tugriks) MNT through public donations.
- In 2018, the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO donated an MNT 3,000,000 million worth of musical
- instruments and training manuals to the Tuuli and Tsuur Palace in Duut soum, Khovd province.
- In 2020, Khovd province organized the International Khuumii Festival, Tuuli, Tsuur, Contortion, and Bii Biyelgee’s national competitions in the context of the “Tea Road” cultural heritage festival, and the practitioners’ initiatives and activities were promoted to the public and 5,000,000 (Five million tugriks) MNT compensation was provided to them

A total of 76,000,000 MNT 26,700 USD was spent for safeguarding measures.

B.3.f. Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.

As a result of these safeguarding measures, viability of the traditional art of Mongolian tsuur music has enhanced. There has been some advancement in reviving, preserving, developing, training, researching, and promoting the tradition of the intangible cultural transmission. These include:

-The legal environment for documenting, creating a database, preserving and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage has been created and improved
-In cooperation with the state central administrative body in charge of cultural affairs, local and cultural organizations in charge of preservation, dissemination, and transmission, the initiatives and participation of practitioners, individuals, communities, groups, and non-governmental organizations have increased, cooperation has been established, and relevant experience has been accumulated.
-Moreover, there has been an increase in the willingness and initiative of the media to work with practitioners, communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of promoting and popularizing intangible cultural heritage.
-Consciousness of the public in terms of respect, love, pride, inheritance, and learning about this intangible cultural heritage learning is increasing.

The “Traditional music of the Tsuur” has been listed as a UNESCO List of ICHs in the Need of Urgent Safeguarding since 2009. On account of a sequence of activities initiated by the Government of Mongolia, National Center for Cultural Heritage, Khovd, Uvs provinces, Khan-Uul district administration of the capital city, relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations, individuals, and communities in 2009-2021, this heritage has been able to subdue the threat of extinction, recovered and survived its viability.

The registration and information database of cultural heritage has been established and regularly updated in accordance with the given schedule and the legal environment associated with this heritage element and its practitioners improved. As of 2020, 16 practitioners of this heritage element registered in the State registration and information database of cultural heritage, and over 80 people have involved in the apprenticeship training. Indeed, this shows that the number of practitioners and apprentices is increasing year by year, compared to 2009 when this element was inscribed on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible cultural heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

In 2020, the Government of Mongolia has made historic decision that to establish the Ministry of Culture separately from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports. The newly established ministry has 7 departments, and one is the Cultural Heritage Department. The department is responsible for managing the implementation of policies, plans and laws for the protection of cultural heritage, developing procedures, rules and legal documents required for their implementation, and providing advice and all-round support. This department has a coordination officer for policy implementation of intangible cultural heritage. In addition, the Law on the Protection of Cultural Heritage has amended and, on the para, 14.1.10 of the law, it has stated that “to allocate the state budget annually to implement the measures on protecting and strengthening the viability of intangible cultural heritage listed in the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”.

There are still budget and financial challenges in preserving the traditional art of Mongolian tsuur music. Over and above, due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, it is unable to conduct any tsuur traditional arts activities, which generates temporary difficulties in education and promoting its heritage. Several activities have been successfully implemented based on the initiative, participation, and cooperation of practitioners, communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations. Further, there is still a requirement to enhance the legal and economic environment and organize safeguarding activities to shield the heritage in the native cultural environment to ensure the lifetime guarantee of practitioners, social welfare and create an incentive system for them.

C. Update of the safeguarding measures

C.1.

Updated safeguarding plan

Please provide an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report. In particular provide detailed information as follows:

a. What primary objective(s) will be addressed and what concrete results will be expected?
b. What are the key activities to be carried out in order to achieve these expected results? Describe the activities in detail and in their best sequence, addressing their feasibility.
c. How will the State(s) Party(ies) concerned support the implementation of the updated safeguarding plan?

In “VISION-2050” Long-term Development Policy of Mongolia, National Action Plan of Government of Mongolia, Guidelines for Development of Mongolia in 2021-2025, “Guidelines for Improving the Laws and Regulations of Mongolia until 2024,” and Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture for 2021-2024 incorporates organizing the activities in the field of identification, registration, studying, creation of a registration and database, as well as transmitting, distributing, promoting the intangible cultural heritage and supporting, protecting, educating, and identifying its practitioners. They aim to support the transmission of traditional knowledge to future generations and provide a system of support and incentives for groups, communities, and practitioners who have established apprenticeship training. A working group has been established and begun to conduct relevant research, to submit an independent law on “Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage” to the State Great Khural in 2023.

The updated plan is in line with the above policy documents. The purpose of the plan is:

To update the records, research, and documentation of the traditional art of Mongol Tsuur, to transmit, study, promote and strengthen its viability through formal and informal training, raise public awareness, and provide the preparation to transit from the List of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of ICH of Humanity.

The aim of the updated plan:
-Update practitioners registration and research,
-To increase knowledge, understanding, transmission, and promotion of traditional art of Mongol Tsuur,
-Intensify research on this heritage element,
-Strengthen viability.

Expected results:

-Practitioners’ records and surveys will be updated regularly.
-Public awareness and the number of researchers of this heritage and interested individuals will be increased.
-The viability of the heritage will be strengthened.
-The number of students and their level of skills will be enhanced.
-Based on the findings of the assessments and inspections, appropriate safeguarding measures will be developed.
-The implementation of the aforementioned activities will determine the possibility of transferring the heritage from the List of ICHs in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative list (with particular emphasis on the distributing of the tradition of tsuur in Uriankhai ethnicity).

C.2.

Timetable for future actitivies

Provide a timetable for the updated safeguarding plan (within a time-frame of approximately four years).

From 2022 to 2025, the following activities are planning to be implemented in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations, researchers, research institutes, local governments, and the public to preserve, safeguard and strengthen the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” heritage:

Training:
-In 2021-2025 will be organized the apprenticeship training in order to transmit the heritage of Mongolian Tsuur;
-2022-2023 co-producing of “Elementary Tsuur training Handbook” via DVD, books and tsuur instruments, will be distributed to secondary schools through video and online lessons;
Research:
-In 2023, a scientific conference on “Modern development trends of Tsuur” will be organized;
-In 2023, the Mongolian Tsuur inspection will be carried out nationwide
Promotion:
-In 2022, the “Mongol Tsuur” campaign will be organized in Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii and Khuvsgul provinces in accordance with the cultural space, rituals, and ceremonies;
-In 2024, a festival named after the well-known Naarangogt will be keep being organized in Ulaanbaatar and Khovd province;
-In 2024, a documentary film will be made to promote the Mongolian Tsuur to children and youth;
-In 2021-2025, a series of documentaries will be aired through media and television to raise public awareness;
-A tsuur palace will be established from 2023-2025 in Duut and Munkhkhairkhan soums of Khovd province, Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul province, and Buyant and Altai soums of Bayan-Ulgii province, where Uriankhai ethnic group mainly resides, to disseminate the traditional art of the Mongolian tsuur in their living environment and create a cultural environment
Support and assistance for practitioners:

-To support and promote practitioners (social welfare and create an incentive system for them)
-To support non-governmental organization and citizens operation in the field of safeguarding of “Traditional music of the Tsuur”

Monitoring:
-In 2022-2025, the sustainability of this heritage will be determined by conducting comparison on the annual safeguarding measures and activities, especially the quality of apprenticeship trainings and the number of practitioners on "Traditional music of the Tsuur" heritage

C.3.

Budget for future activities

Provide the estimates of the funds required for implementing the updated safeguarding plan (if possible, in US dollars), identifying any available resources (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

1. Organization of “Mongol Tsuur” campaign in Khovd, Bayan-Ulgii, and Khuvsgul provinces in accordance with the cultural space, rituals, and ceremonies in 2022. Budget 15000$.
2.Co-producing of “Elementary Tsuur training Handbook” via DVD, books, and tsuur instruments will be distributed to secondary schools through video and online lessons in 2022-2023. Budget 10000$.
3.Inspection of Mongolian Tsuur to carry out nationwide in 2023. Budget 15000$.
4.Organization of Scientific conference on “Modern development trends of Tsuur” in2023. Budget 1500$.
5.Organization of well-known Narangogt Paarain’s named after Festival in Ulaanbaatar and Khovd province in 2024. Budget 2500$.

Total budget 86 000$.
6.Documentation film to promote the Mongolian Tsuur to children and youth in 2023. Budget 8000$.
7.Organization of apprenticeship training in order to transmit the heritage of Mongolian Tsuur in 2022-2025. Budget 11000$.
8.A series of documentaries will be aired through media and television to raise public awareness in 2022-2025. Budget 8000$.
9. A tsuur palace will be established from 2023-2025 in Duut and Munkhkhairkhan soums of Khovd province, Chandmani-Undur soum of Khuvsgul province, and Buyant and Altai soums of Bayan-Ulgii province, where Uriankhai ethnic group mainly resides, to disseminate the traditional art of the Mongolian tsuur in their living environment and create a cultural environment in 2023-2025. Budget 15000$.

C.4.

Community participation

Please describe how communities, groups and individuals, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have been involved, including in terms of gender roles, in updating the safeguarding plan, and how they will be involved in its implementation.

The updated safeguarding plan was developed in accordance with the planning and scheduling of policy documents such as strategic plans by the Ministry of Culture, National Centre for Cultural Heritage, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Culture and Arts Authority, the Governor Offices of Khovd, Khuvsgul, Bayan-Ulgii, and Darkhan-Uul provinces, the Culture Department, the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO, bearer representatives of older and younger generations, relevant government organizations, opinions of scientists and researchers, and the “Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage” implementing by the Government, “VISION-2050” Long-term Development Policy of Mongolia, National Action Plan of Government of Mongolia, Guidelines for Development of Mongolia in 2021-2025, Guidelines for Improving the Laws and Regulations of Mongolia until 2024, and Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture for 2021-2024.

The Ministry of Culture will create an appropriate legal environment, formulate policies, allocate and monitor the necessary budgets into the state budget, and provide guidance and methodology for the implementation of national activities by the Culture and Arts Authority. The National Centre for Cultural Heritage will collaborate with the "Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO to organize multifaceted activities such as safeguarding measures and activities, organizing national competitions, and scientific conferences among tsuur performers.

The activities included in the plan shall be organized in consultation and co-operation with specific, other, and non-governmental organizations, researchers, and the public according to the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage.

Practitioners are obliged to transmit, promote, and transmit at the national and international levels and are necessary to take part in other safeguarding plans actively.

C.5.

Institutional context

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

a. Ministry of Culture, Mongolia
Address: Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, Sukhbaatar district, 7th sub-district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Byambasuren DAVAATSEREN
Director of Cultural Heritage Department
Phone: + 976- 51-265609
Fax: 976-
Email: davaatseren@moc.gov.mn
Web:moc.gov.mn
Email: info@moc.gov.mn
Tserendorj TSOLMON
Coordination Officer for Policy Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Phone: + 976- 51-265617
Fax: 976-
Email: tsolmon@moc.gov.mn
Phone: + 976- 99057308

National Center for Cultural Heritage
Address: Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Khan-Uul district, 21st khoroo, Buyant Ukhaa 2 district,
Galbadrakh ENKHBAT
Director National Cultural Heritage Center
Phone: + 976-99168200
+ 976- 70110877
Fax: 976-11-312735
Email: enkhbatcch@gmail.com info@ncch.gov.mn
Web: http://ncch.gov.mm/

Arslan SARUUL
Specialist in charge of World Heritage Sites, Department for Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage in Emergency Situation in National Center for Cultural Heritage
Phone: + 976- 99030405
Email: saku_tuntic@yahoo.com

Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO

Khoskhuu IDER
Programme Specialist for Culture
Phone: + 976-70105652
+ 976-95959542
Fax: 976-11-322612
Email: kh.ider@unesco.mn

"Union for Khunnu tsuur performers" NGO
Leader: Buyandelger NARANBAT
Phone: + 976-99208095
Address: Bayanzurkh district, 23rd khoroo, School A-5-60
Phone: + 976-99208095
Fax: 976-7015 4576
E-mail: naranbat_tsuur@yahoo.com

D. Participation of communities in preparing this report

Describe the measures taken to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report.

Under order No. A/73 of 2021 of the Minister of Culture of Mongolia on the "Establishment of a Working Group", a working group was created to develop and prepare a “Report on the Status of Elements inscribed on UNESCO List of ICHs in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The working group was incorporated from the Ministry of Culture, the Mongolian National Commission, the Culture and Arts Authority, and the National Center for Cultural Heritage, and other related researchers, scholars, and practitioners of the Tsuur.

During the preparation of this periodic report, the working group has done 4 times meetings for collecting data and information from practitioners and cultural organizations in 21 provinces and 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar and for analyzing the gathered data in accordance with the questionnaires of periodic reporting form, and for elaborating the updated safeguarding plan for this heritage element.

The Ministry of Culture, Mongolia, the National Center for Cultural Heritage, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, researchers, scholars, and practitioners, such as B.Naranbat, G.Nyamjantsan, and N.Sanjaadorj, and "Union of Khunnu tsuur performers" have played the most vital role in the preparation of this report.

E. Signature on behalf of the State Party

The report should be signed by an official empowered to do so on behalf of the State, and should include his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

NOMIN Chinbat

Title

Minister of Culture, Mongolia

Date

10-12-2021

Signature

NOMIN Chinbat

Upload signed version in PDF

Periodic Report (USL)

A. Cover sheet

A.1.

State Party

Name of State Party

Mongolia

A.2.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

This information is available online.

2005-06-29

A.3.

Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report

Name of element

Traditional music of the Tsuur

Inscribed in

2009

A.4.

Reporting period covered by this report

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

01-01-2014 - 15-12-2017

A.5.

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Coaxing ritual for camels (2015)

A.6.

Executive summary of the report

Since inscription of the element “Traditional music of the Tsuur” State Party Mongolia has implemented mid and long-term programs on safeguarding the element to inherit it to future generations by studying and registering the bearers of the heritage, creating an information database and promoting the element. To safeguard the element uppermost the series of work was done to create social environment to support the players of the instrument and the instrument itself, to revive and disseminate the traditions of the heritage to overcome dangers of its vanishing in the region among ethnic group of the Altai Uriankhai tribe in westernmost Mongolia, where it has been originated. As a result the livability of the heritage has increased.
During the reporting cycle of 2014-2017 the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Ministry of Education, Culture, Science in 2015-2016, Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports since 2016) and Center for Cultural Heritage in cooperation with Association of Hunnu Tsuur players, Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture, Dance and Music College (“Dance and Music Conservatorium” since 2017) have worked with priority of organizing and expanding the formal and informal Tsuur trainings in the capital and rural areas, conducting studies and researches on detection and promotion of the heritage bearers. Including:
- By 72nd Resolution of 2014 from the Mongolian Government in 2014-2017 National Program “Mongol Tsuur” has been successfully implemented. Below mentioned activities were organized in the framework of the National Program:
a) Tsuur International festival, scientific conference and symposium
b) Complex research was done on the music instrument Tsuur and being used in scientific studies
c) The guidebook on learning the music instrument Tsuur was published and disseminated.
d) Bearers of the heritage were included as participants in the international traditional arts festivals organized in Republic of Korea, People’s Republic of China, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kirgizstan to promote and raise-awareness on the Mongolian tradition of Tsuur.
e) Initiatives of heritage bearers and their projects on crafting and production of the Tsuur instrument were supported
f) Form the Office of the President of Mongolia the Compact Disk of Tsuur player B.Naranbat “Masterpiece of Mongolian Tsuur” was published and disseminated to the libraries, schools and cultural organizations of provinces and city
It was mentioned in the statistics provided from the National Cultural Heritage Rgistration and Information Database of the Cultural Heritage that during 2009-2017 numbers of the Mongolian tradition of Tsuur learners has risen twice. For instance in 2009-2013 the number of practitioners of Tsuur was 90 people, in 2013-2017 that number has risen to 170.

A.7.

Contact person for correspondence

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Family name

Arslan

Given name

Saruul

Institution/position

Division of Intangible Cultural Heritage Center for Cultural Heritage

Address

Central Palace of Culture B
Sukhbaatar square 3
Ulaanbaatar 210620a
1st khooro
P.B.-269
Ulaanbaatar 210648

Telephone number

+976 99099842; +976 99030405

E-mail address

ichfr@monheritage.mn

Other relevant information

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

B.1.

Social and cultural functions

Since the inscription of this element on the UNESCO List of Urgent Safeguarding of ICH, the public awareness and understanding has increased nationwide. The traditional instrument Tsuur is related to the, and represents the category 2.b “performing arts” of the 2nd Article of the Convention for Safeguarding of the ICH. Also as a part of Mongolian everyday life, traditions and ceremonies the heritage element is related to category 2.c “social practices, rituals and festive events“, of the 2nd Article of the Convention. Although, the mechanism of Tsuur is very simple, it is an instrument that was created and developed by nomadic Mongolians, through hundreds of years. The instrument Tsuur is made from wood-like, jointed stem plants such as brushwood and hawk bit and requires very precise and high skills in making. Tradition of playing the instrument Tsuur was used in customs of conversation with nature in nature’s own language, of worshiping of the nature and the skies, and rain making rituals. Therefore the element also related to the categories 2.d and 2.e of the 2nd Article of the Convention.
Its value is it’s an important part of cultural heritage not only to the bearers, the tribes and the communities who practice this art and produce this musical instrument, but also has very high social and cultural functions that bring certain identity and pride among the communities all over the country.
Also, through the education activities of NGOs done in framework of safeguarding of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur”, publishing of books by academics, making of television shows and short documentaries with involvement of national artists and bearers increases understanding of values of the heritage and its role in the society and culture among general public.
It’s necessary to mention the development of creative industry and promotion of cultural diversity based on the “Traditional music of the Tsuur”. For instance, start of usage of delicate technique of processing a birch wood, white willow or blackwood in the making of the instrument Tsuur, covering it with gullet of a gazelle or sheep to avoid apperance of any cracks has prolonged quality and longevity of the instrument, and this could be considered as a development of the craftsmanship of Tsuur.
“Tradition music of the Tsuur” has become an important element of modern ethnic music and already has occupied its place as traditional instrument of the national traditional music groups. It is now one of instruments of the Mongolian National song and dance academic Ensemble’s orchestra. Also younger generation begin to actively use Tsuur accompanied by other modern musical instruments, renewing and developing the tradition of Tsuur.

B.2.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Ratification of the UNESCO’s 2003 Convention on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage gave a possibility to protect and safeguard the heritage that was facing the danger of vanishing.
Traditionally found among members of the Uriankhai ethnic group of the Altai Region, the Tsuur and its traditions were preserved largely mostly by the descendant of the late Paarain Narantsogt of the Tsgaan Tug clan, in Duut soum of Khovd province, in westernmost Mongolia and were in a condition of not being able to spread beyond that frame coming to the situation of disappearing. But Mongolian Government following the guidelines of the UNESCO’s 2003 Convention has included the heritage in the National List of the Heritages in need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2003, furthermore in 2009 the heritage was inscribed in the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the important action that gave a strong support in restoring the traditions of the Tsuur and protecting archives and documentations on this heritage.
By inscribing the heritage in the UNESCO’s List the heritage has started to get more attention from people, the numbers of practitioners, learners and researches of the instrument has increased during following years, the knowledge of general public about the instrument and its traditions has risen.
Also, in 2014 the Mongolian Government has decreed the 72nd Resolution to approve a National Safeguarding Plan “Traditional music of the Tsuur”, with aim of the project is to create a legal environment to revitalize, safeguard, study, promote and transmit the Tsuur music, which was implemented within 3 years in 2014-2017.
As a result of the above mentioned activity, the traditions of Tsuur has spread beyond its borders of only one tribe and attracted artists of different regions, started to be practiced officially and unofficially among traditional musicians, students, general public become aware of the instrument itself and traditions related to it. It could be considerd that since the inscription of the “Traditional music of Tsuur” in the UNESCO’s List, viability of the heritage has risen, and dangers of vanishing are passed.
The cooperation with academics and bearers of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China and Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region to exchange knowledge on studying, protection, promotion and transmission of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” has begun
State Party of Mongolia is actively working with an objective to remove the element “Traditional music of the Tsuur” from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and its transfer to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

B.3.

Implementation of safeguarding measures

B.3.a. Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

During the reporting period of 2014-2017, below mentioned objectives were put to be completed in the framework of the National Safeguarding Plan “Mongolian Tsuur”:
1. To create a legal environment on safeguarding of the Mongolian tradition of the Tsuur;
2. To develop academic research of the Mongolian tradition of the Tsuur;
3. To find most effective way of training and use it in the formal and informal trainings;
4. Support initiatives of the bearers, concerned NGOs, community-based organizations and professionals;
5. Establish registration-information database on bearers of the heritage;
6. Promote the heritage and raise the awareness among general public.
Outcomes:
1. In 2014 the National Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage was amended. The article on promoting the bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and its protection was specifically included in the law. Operational Directives on safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was created in the framework of the National law;
2. The “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO based on bearers of the heritage in cooperation with the Center for Cultural Heritage and the Institute of Arts and Cultural Research made complex research “Traditional Mongolian music of Tsuur” on safeguarding, studying, promoting, transmitting, training and development of the tradition;
3. The registration-information general-database on the bearers, practitioners and trainees of traditional music of the Tsuur was established;
4. Numbers of trainees of the Tsuur instrument is rising as a result of expanding the formal and informal trainings;
5. The awareness among general public on the Tsuur traditions has risen allowing the creation of the environment for safeguarding and sustainable development of the tradition.
6. The regional and international cooperation on the subject has become more active due to organizations of the international festivals and symposiums on Tsuur and similar musical instruments.
7. Initiatives of the bearers, concerned NGOs, community-based organizations and professionals on promotion and transmission of the Tsuur tradition are actively supported and their involvement in the activities is high.

B.3.b. Safeguarding activities

1. In the framework of creating supportive legal environment on safeguarding of the tradition of Mongol Tsuur following activities have been implemented:
- In 2014 the National Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage was renewed. The Article on promoting the bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and its protection was specifically included in the law. Operational Directives on safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was created in the framework of the National law. For instance, follwing were aprroved: the Order of the Minister of Education, Culture and Science A151 of 2015.04.30 on “Development of the Operational Directives to identify, register and conduct studies and researches on the ICH bearers”; the 145th Resolution of Mongolian Government of 2016.03.07 on “Procedures of rewarding ICH bearers who have made valuable contribution in promoting, disseminating of the Intangible Cultural Heritage on national and international levels”. Also, following projects are in the process of being approved: “Procedures of rewarding ICH bearers who have made valuable contribution in promotion, dissemination of the Intangible Cultural Heritage”, “Procedures of examination of the ICH”, “Procedures of showing financial support to citizen, or leagal entity engaged in activities on safeguarding and promoting ICH” etc..
2. In the framework of development of Mongolian Tsuur studies, following works were implemented:
- Such studies and researches as “Basic studies of Traditional music of the Tsuur”; “Studies on researches of the Tsuur instrument”; “Studies on the Tsuur music archives and the methodology”; “Traditions and customs related to Tsuur music”; “Studies on in-class-training and apprenticeship-trainings of Tsuur”; “ Studies on inheritors of the Tsuur”; “Comparative studies on Tsuur and similar instruments” were made by “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO in close cooperation with Center for Cultural Heritage and the Institute of Arts and Cultural Research. The outcomes of the researches and studies were published and disseminated to general public.
- In 2016 the international festival and symposium “Studies of traditional art of Tsuur and similar musical instruments” was organized involving academics and heritage bearers from Mongolia, Tuva Republic, Kalmyk, Altai Republic of Russian Federation, Khakas, Bashkirstan, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkey, Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. The results of the scientific conference were published and disseminated for general public and new generation of researches.
3. In the framework of formal and informal trainings:
- The signing of the Memorandum of understanding between Center for Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports and the Music and Dance College of Mongolia named after S.Gonchigsumlaa (Music and Dance Conservatory since 2017) in the school year of 2013-2014 had great influence to infiltrate the methods of professional classrooms trainings in the traditional apprenticeship training.
- In 2014, the Program “Mongolian Tsuur”, specifically adapted to the college’s features, was developed to be included in the curriculum of the Music and Dance College of Mongolia and four students (T.Baatarkhuu, M.Munkhbat, A.Mungunshagai, M.Unumunkh) chose Tsuur as their additional lessons. All four students who attended lessons of “Mongolian Tsuur” Program have graduated classes with the A rating and have successfully participated in the “First survey in the Central region on Traditional music of the Tsuur” organized on 27th November of 2015. M.Munkhbat was selected as best player.
- In the framework of the “Mongolian Tsuur” Program, during the school year of 2015-2016, 35 students attended the classes.
- Also Mongolian State University of Culture and Arts provides Tsuur and Khoomei lessons taught by bearer Mr. N.Sanjaadorj, since 2014, adapted to the university’s features.
- In 2016 the “Mongolian Tsuur Palace” was opened to with support from the Culture faculty of the Mongolian State University of Culture, to provide apprenticeship training, raise-awareness of Mongolian youth and to promote the heritage.
- The “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO organized series of apprenticeship trainings in the capital city and rural areas. The trainings involved: Ulaanbaatar, Darkhan, Erdenet cities; Zavkhan, Bayankhongor, Khovd and Uvs provinces.
- By today the Tsuur apprenticeship training is provided in 6 training centers and in 2 institutions.
- In the framework of the National Safeguarding Plan the training program with guide-book and training compact disc was developed adapted to the curriculum
- Under the auspicies of the governor of Khan-Uul district of the Ulaanbaatar city The Tsuur Music Club started it trainings in the Khan-Uul district’s Cultural center led by tsuur players Mr. B.Naranbat and G.Sanjaadorj. 44 students of elementary schools, from the district, participated in the trainings.
4. In the framework of supporting the Initiatives of the bearers, concerned NGOs, community-based organizations and professionals on promotion and transmission of the Tsuur tradition:
- In July, 2015 in honor of the famous tsuur player Mr. Paarai Narantsogt, in the framework of promoting his works, teaching features, with aim to strengthen the knowledge of tsuur and transmit the heritage to younger generation the “Daarai Natsagdorj of Altai Uriankhai’s First Tsuur Competition in the Western Region” was organized in Khovd province. Altogether 21 trainers and trainees, 5 bands have participated in the competition.
- In November, 2015 “Daarai Natsagdorj of Altai Uriankhai’s First Tsuur Competition in the Central Region” was organized in the Ulaanbaatar city. Altogether 11 trainers and trainees have participated in the competition.
- Form the Office of the President of Mongolia the Compact Disk of Tsuur player B.Naranbat “Masterpiece of Mongolian Tsuur” was published and disseminated to the libraries, schools and cultural organizations of provinces and city
- 2 documentaries, showing traditions and customs related to Tsuur were made and broadcasted through social media.
- Tsuur players N.Sanjaadorj, G.Nyamjantsan and B.Naranbat have participated as delegation from Mongolia, promoting the tradition of Tsuur, in the international festivals of traditional music organized in Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Turkey and China.
- With aim to support production of Tsuur, 5.5 million tugrik micro-project, to produce instruments for use in the classrooms, was implemented. The instruments are used by bearers N.Sanjaadorj, G.Nyamjantsan, B.Naranbat for their apprenticeship and school trainings.
5. In the framework of developing the registration-information general-database on the bearers, practitioners and trainees of traditional music of the Tsuur:
- Registration-information database was created on bearers, practitioners and trainees of traditional music of the Tsuur, and has been enriched every year:
Training centers: 6 apprenticeship training centers and 2 classes are functioning for Tsuur trainings.
Craft: 8 people are making Tsuur instruments. Those are N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, N.Amartuvshin, N.Sanjaadaorj, T.Erdenebat, B.Buyanbat and G.Nyamjantsan.
Repertory: There are around 40 traditional melodies have been registered in the repertory of the Tsuur music. The younger generation is has started using the instrument for their compositions in accompany with different instruments, enriching the Tsuur repertory.
Bearers and apprentice: By 2017 there are 18 bearers and more than 170 apprentices are registered in the National registration-information database on cultural heritage.
Documentation: By 2017 there are 34 video films, HD recordings of 1200 hours length, 8000 pcs of documentation on traditional art of Tsuur at the National registration-information database on cultural heritage.

B.3.c. Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

"Rights and duties of the bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" were defined for the first time in the Article 34 of the National Law on Cultural Heritage Protection. According to the paragraph 34.1.1 of the Article “Bearers of intangible cultural heritage shall have the following rights: “to receive financial support to protect, transmit and recreate the intangible cultural heritage, under the necessary circumstances”, also the bearer undertakes to “teach students and transmit intangible cultural heritage to the next generations; to disseminate and promote intangible cultural heritage; to provide assistance to record information and conduct registration of intangible cultural heritage”.
The bearers of the Intangible cultural heritage element “Traditional music of the Tsuur" show great support and involvement in protecting, transmitting and promoting the heritage through social media.
Following bearers of the heritage play main role in organizing trainings and activities related to the protection, promotion and transmission of the traditional music of the Tsuur:
Apprenticeship trainings: B.Naranbat, A.Baldandorj, E.Baatarjav, N.Damdindorj, N.Buyandelger, B.Zagdjav.
Classroom trainings: G.Nyamjantsan, N.Sanjaadorj
Tsuur instrument crafters: N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, N.Amartuvshin, H.Byambajav, N.Sanjaadorj, T.Erdenebat, B.Baatarchuluun.
Bearers B.Naranbat, G.Nyamjantsan and N.Sanjaadorj played major role in developing the Pereodical Report on the Intangible cultural heritage element “Traditional music of the Tsuur”.

B.3.d. Timetable and budget

Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented and the funds that were used for its implementation, identifying the source of funding for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

It was specified in the Article 41 of the Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage amended in 2014 by the Great Khural of Mongolia that “Activities for the protection of cultural heritage shall be financed by a) the state budgets; b) local budgets; c) assistance, donations and funds provided by Mongolian and foreign citizens, and international organizations and legal entities; d) other resources.”, in the 13.1.13 of Article 13 “to allocate funds in the state annual budget for the activities to promote, transmit, preserve and protect the cultural properties inscribed on the UNESCO's List and submit nomination proposals of cultural heritage for the UNESCO's List;”. Also in the 15.1.1 of the Article 15 “Powers of the Citizens’ Representative Khurals of provinces, the capital city, soums and districts “ of the same law it’s specified “to monitor and approve the necessary budget to develop plans and programmes for implementation, and provide implementation of the legislation concerning the protection of cultural heritage within their territory;”, 16.1.12 of the Article 16 “to search and identify bearers of intangible cultural heritage, and provide publicity, assistance and organize activities of transmission”, and that allows to use the local budget on conservation of the cultural intangible heritage.
Based on the above mentioned Articles in the Law, in 2014-2017, the National Program “Mongolian Tsuur” was financed by the Mongolian Government with amount of 201 million tugrik.
Following the Article 15 of the Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage, series of activities on safeguarding of the Tsuur were financed and organized in the Khovd province.
Also by initiatives and under patronage of the Governor of Khan-Uul district of Ulaanbaatar city the permanent club on teaching of the “Mongolian Tsuur” was founded in the Central cultural palace, the program “Khan-Uul district and Traditional Arts” is being financed and implemented in close cooperation with the APU Co. Ltd. Located in the district.

B.3.e. Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

As a result of the above mentioned series of activities on safeguarding the viability of the Traditional Art of the Mongolian Tsuur has largely increased. The following advancements were made in the field of reviving, conserving, safeguarding, teaching, studying and promoting the intangible cultural heritage:
- The amendments in the Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage regarding the safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage were made in 2014,
- The legal environment on safeguarding of the heritages, registration and creation of the information database was created and improved,
- The cooperation of Mongolia with UNESCO, Asia-Pacific regional centers of ICH and other international organizations has been increased and certaing results have been achieved. The possibilities of cooperation and experience exchange on safeguarding, transmitting and studying between countries that have similar musical traditions as Tsuur, were created.
- The initiative and participation of the inheritors, individuals, communities, groups and non-governmental organizations in the activities of the state's central administrative body, local cultural organizations in charge of cultural issues, regarding the safeguarding, dissemination and transmission of the ICH has developed and accumulated appropriate experience.
- The media has also increased the aspirations and initiatives to cooperate with the bearers, communities, governmental and non-governmental organizations in the field of dissemination and promotion of the ICH.
- Awareness, urge to learn and promote ICH among general public is increasing.
Since the inscription of the "Mongolian Traditional Music of the Tsuur" in 2009, as a result of the series of actions taken in 2009-2017, by initiatives of the Government of Mongolia, authorities of Khovd and Uvs province, of Khan-Uul district of Ulaanbaatar, relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations, individuals and communities, the element of the Tsuur has overcome the threat of vanishing and gained sustainable viability.
Although the budget planned for the National Program for Protection of Mongolian Traditional Music of the Tsuur has not been sufficient, based on the initiatives, engagement, and cooperation among beares, communities, and non-governmental organizations the planned activities and programs were effectively implemented. Nevertheless, there is a need to further improve the economic and legal environment for the provision of incentive systems, life insurance, social security for heritage bearers.

C. Update of the safeguarding measures

C.1.

Updated safeguarding plan

Please provide an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report. In particular provide detailed information as follows:

a. What primary objective(s) will be addressed and what concrete results will be expected?
b. What are the key activities to be carried out in order to achieve these expected results? Describe the activities in detail and in their best sequence, addressing their feasibility.
c. How will the State(s) Party(ies) concerned support the implementation of the updated safeguarding plan?

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports has developed the "National Comprehensive Program on Protection of Cultural Heritage 2018-2025" to further safeguard the Mongolian Traditional Music of Tsuur. The program aims to invest in some of the key areas of intangible cultural heritage field, to conduct researches, to organize trainings, to implement projects and to provide a sustainable livelihood. These include:
- Organize the studies on ICH and heritage bearers withal the local history, culture, traditions and conditions.
- Improve the database of registration of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and develop informational activities in accordance with modern technology and make it public.
- Conducting formal and informal apprentice trainings on the ICH
- Create a theoretical and practical training base of the ICH (bearers, cultural specialists and other relevant sectors)
- Support the bearers of the ICH and improve their social values
- Improve the legal environment to include and develop the ICH in the context of the creative industry.
- Training, re-training and specialization of the ICH's experts.
As part of this Comprehensive National Program the priority will be to further improve the economic and legal environment for the provision of incentive systems, life insurance, social security for heritage bearers.
The National Program will reflect the initiatives of non-governmental organizations, individuals, communities, groups and academics.
In the budget of the National Program, the Government of Mongolia has allocated a total of 500 million MNT. It is also necessary to obtain assistance from local, international organizations and national producers to implement projects and programs.
During the 2018-2021 period Mongolia is aiming to transfer the Mongolian traditional music of Tsuur from the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

C.2.

Community participation

Under the provisions of the Article 34 "Rights and duties of the bearers of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" of the "National Law on Protection of the Cultural Heritage", with initiatives and involvement of heritage bearers B.Naranbat, A.Baldandorj, E.Baatarjav, N.Damdindorj, N.Buyandelger, B.Zagdjav, G.Nyamjantsan, N.Sanjaadorj, the "Hunnu Tsuur Union" NGO is planning to work with aim to sustainably develop, safeguard, transmit and promote the traditions of the Tsuur music and further to transfer the heritage element from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in next 4 years.

C.3.

Institutional context

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

A. Center of Cultural Heritage (under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports)
Address: Center for Cultural Heritage, Centeral Palace of Culture “B” section, Sukhbaatar sq 3, Jamiyan Street, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
P.O. Box: Sukhbaatar sq 3, 210620a, Sukhbaatar district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Director: G.Enkhbat
Tel: +967-11312735
+976-70110877
Fax: +976-11-312735
E-mail: cch@monheritage.mn
Web: www.monheritage.mn
Head of the Division for the Protection of ICH : A.Saruul
Tel: +976-99030405
E-mail: saku_tuntic@yahoo.com

B. "Hunnuu Tuur Union" NGO
Family name: Buyandelger
Given name: Naranbat
Organization/position: Head of the "Hunnuu Tsuur Union"
Address: A-5-60, 23rd khoroo, Bayanzurkh district
Tel: +976-99208095
Fax: +976-70154576
E-mail: naranbat_tsuur@yahoo.com

D. Participation of communities in preparing this report

Following the Order of Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports ?A/192 of 2017 the working group for developing the "Periodic report on implementation of the UNESCO Convention on Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage" and "Periodic report on status of the element inscribed in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding" was established.
Following people and organizations were included in the working group for developing the report on the "Traditional music of the Tsuur": Center of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports, "Hunnu Tsuur Union" NGO, Tsuur players B.Naranbat, G.Nyamjantsan, N.Sanjaadorj, researchers S.Yundenbat, Ts.Tsendsuren.

E. Signature on behalf of the State Party

The report should be signed by an official empowered to do so on behalf of the State, and should include his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

Ts.Tsogzolmaa

Title

Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports

Date

30-11-2017

Signature

Upload signed version in PDF

Periodic Report (USL)

Cover sheet

State Party

Name of State Party

Mongolia

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

This information is available online.

29-06-2005

Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report

Name of element

Traditional music of the Tsuur

Inscribed in

2009

Reporting period covered by this report

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

2009 - 2013

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Coaxing ritual for camel calves (2011)
Coaxing ritual for camels (2015)
Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances - circular breathing (2011)
Mongol Biyelgee, Mongolian traditional folk dance (2009)
Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian epic (2009)
Mongolian calligraphy (2011)
Mongolian calligraphy (2013)
Mongolian traditional Cham dance (2011)
Mongolian Traditional Cham Dance (-)
Mongolian traditional practices of the worshipping of sacred sites (2011)
Mongolian traditional practices of worshipping the sacred sites (2017)
Performance of the Mongolian epic of Jangar (2011)
The art of steel carving (backlog)
Traditional music of the Tsuur (2009)

Executive summary of the report

Tsuur music, a combination of instrumental and vocal performance, is an ancient form of Mongolian music with a unique sound.
Since th Hunnu dynasty, the Uriankhai Mongols of the Altai region in Western Mongolia have related Tsuur music to the spirit of the Altai Mountains, and revered it as a force to ward off evil from a household.
The forty known folk melodies and tunes of the Tsuur repertoire are transmitted by memory and are currently preserved by descendants and apprentices of the ancient nomads, that populated the northern and southern slopes of the Mongolian Altai Mountains. The traditional music of the Tsuur forms an important part of the Uriankhai Mongolian’s relationship with their natural environment and a critical element in assuring their survival within it. It accompanies daily activities and animal herding as well as religious ceremonies and rituals.
Traditionally found among members of the Uriankhai ethnic group of the Altai Region, the Tsuur and its traditions are preserved today largely by the descendant of the late Paarain Narantsogt of the Tsgaan Tug clan, in Duut soum, Khovd province, in westernmost Mongolia.
Many long and short term projects have accomplished in last 4 years in order to identify the ‘Tsuur’ music bearers, register them, study, disseminate and transmit to the next generations. We did several series of works such as restoring ‘Tsuur’ music instrument art and its tradition in Altai Uriankhai tribe where it has originated and to disseminate this art to the other tribe and regions in order to urgent safeguarding the ‘Tsuur’ and its tradition and to create social environment which supports ‘Tsuur’ music and its players. The ‘Tsuur’ art could overcome its danger to vanish and getting stronger to continue exists, as a results of these works.
Bearers, communities and groups’ involvement has a vital responsibility to protect the ‘Tsuur’ music art and these talented people who are the bearers actively working hard to transmit this art for the next generation, disseminate and restore this art at the same time to safeguard the tradition as it was from the beginning. Trainings about transmitting this tradition is conducted by two ways traditional apprenticeship training and classroom training. The trainings of this heritage have conducted in Duut and Jargalant soum in Hovd province, Buyant, Ulgii and Ulaanhus sum in Bayan-Ulgii province, Sumber soum of Gobisumber province, Orkhon province and in the capital city during the report period. These training have led by the famous ‘Tsuur’ player P.Narantsogt’s offspring and his students. There are aroundu, 100 teenagers and young adults who have learnt or leaning how to play this instrument as a result of these trainings. Statistic shows that the number of ‘Tsuur’ players and its trainees have increased 9 times in last four years.
We still need to continue what we are doing and increase the boundaries even there are such good results shown in a work of protecting the ‘Tsuur’ music and its tradition and create sustainability.
Consequently, in January, 2014 the Mongolian Government has decreed a National Safeguarding Plan of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” and its going to be implemented within 3 years.The aim of the project is to revitalize and safeguard and transmit the Tsuur music.

Contact person for correspondence

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Family name

Jargalsaikhan

Given name

Tsoodol

Institution/position

Head of the ICH devision

Address

Center for Cultural Heritage, Cultural Palace B, Sukhbaatar square 3, Sukhbaatar District, Ulaanbaatar 210620a, Mongolia

Telephone number

+976-11-312735

Fax number

E-mail address

tsjargalsaikhan@monheritage.mn; ichfr@monheritage.mn

Other relevant information

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

B.1. Social and cultural functions

The art of tsuur music is an important part of cultural heritage to the bearers, the family tradition, the communities who practice this art and produce this musical instrument. It has a very high social and cultural functions that bring certain identity and pride among the communities.
Tsuur is one the Mongolian main musical instruments. When a person play tsuur, his throat and bagpipe’s whistle harmonized and make special timbre which distinguishes it from the rest of the music instruments. It also has a significant difference than other wooden wind instruments. This unrepeatable difference of bagpipe art is very special development of performing art of human kind, not only in Mongolia.
Since the inscription of this element on the UNESCO List of Urgent Safeguarding of ICH, the public awareness and understanding has increased nationwide.
The representation of the tsuur music and its custom are conserved in traditional manner during the activities that are organised for safeguarding and transmitting the traditionel art of tsuur.

B.2. Assessment of its viability and current risks

Altai Uriankhai is the only tribe which inherited the tradition of bagpipe art among the other tribes. It has noted that the each Uriankhai family had bagpipe at their homes and most of the Uriankhai men used to play bagpipe till the end of last century. Unfortunately this art and heritage came at the edge of vanishing by the end of the twentieth century. The main result was historical dark period which tried to neglect the traditional culture and religion. It treated traditional art and culture as a part of old time and it was government plan to get rid of tradition and art of people.
Last 4 years, the art of ‘Tsuur’ music spread from the bearer community to the regional level where the folk musicians and students play. In order to identify the ‘Tsuur’ music bearers, register them, study, disseminate and transmit to the next generations. We did several series of works such as restoring ‘Tsuur’ music instrument art and its tradition in Altai Uriankhai tribe where it has originated and to disseminate this art to the other tribe and regions in order to urgent safeguarding the ‘Tsuur’ and its tradition and to create social environment which supports ‘Tsuur’ music and its players. Bearers, communities and groups’ involvement has a vital responsibility to protect the ‘Tsuur’ music art and these talented people who are the bearers actively working hard to transmit this art for the next generation, disseminate and restore this art. Trainings about transmitting this tradition is conducted by two ways traditional apprenticeship training and classroom training. Statistic shows that the number of ‘Tsuur’ players and its trainees have increased 9 times in last four years. Its survival capacity and sustainable development are increased, thus may be considered as being far from the danger.
Nevertheless, in January 2014 the Mongolian Government has decreed a National Safeguarding Plan of the “Traditional music of the Tsuur” and its going to be implemented within 3 years. The aim of the project is to revitalize and safeguard and transmit the Tsuur music.
The objectives are to:
• Strengthen the research and establish registration-information database through a field-survey focusing on the current state of traditional music of the Tsuur;
• Improving the viability of the Tsuur by training new generation of performers, while also reviving traditional method of apprenticeship-training;
• Improving the capacity-building of the bearers, concerned NGOs, community-based organizations and professionals by involving in safeguarding measures;
• Raise the awareness among general public through production of media and;
Expected outcomes:
• Database will have created from registration and documentation materials gathered during Filed survey. This database is to be enriched and improved year by year basis even beyond the completion of the Project;
• The traditional apprenticeship method will have restored;
• Through the activities, awareness of the importance and understanding to revitalize and safeguard the element will have raised;
• The Tsuur performers’ skills and talents will have significantly improved, their repertoire enriched and some forgotten tunes and melodies revived;
• Awareness will have increased at the all level

B.3. Implementation of safeguarding measures

B.3.a. Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

Objectives:
-To safeguard and develop this tsuur music art especially in Altaic Urianhai tribe and then to spread to other community and regions.
-To stabilize tsuur music training method/system and supply the follow ups
-To restore method of tsuur music playing, repertory of tsuur music and traditional culture of tsuur music and tsuur related traditions and customs.
-To increase the community and society’s involvement in recovering tsuur music art and create the social environment which supports tsuur players and the tsuur music art.
Results:
- Mongolian tsuur music tradition has restored and certain improvements appeared in the ways of protecting, developing, teaching, studying, researching, disseminating and sustaining the tradition.
-Community and its people’s understanding and awareness improved about tsuur music tradition and its social value has increased dramatically.
- Mongolian tsuur survived the risk of vanishing and good foundation established for tsuur music art to still be an important part of traditional musical instrument and Mongolian traditional intangible cultural heritage.

B.3.b. Safeguarding activities

2009-2014 Mongolian Government has implemented successfully a several projects of the "Traditional music of the Tsuur” in the objectives to safeguard, develop, transmit the element to the next generation by training and apprenticeship, emphasize and support the “Tsuur” bearers. During the implementation of these projects relevant state and non-state parties, communities, practitioners have been involved actively and contributed an important role.
Activities
A: Field study and inventorying
- A field survey were undertaken to focus on the current state of Tsuur, its repertoire and associated customs and rituals
B: Safeguarding and Transmission
- The trainings of transmission of the Mongolian ‘Tsuur’ have conducted in Duut and Jargalant soum in Hovd province, Buyant, Ulgii and Ulaanhus sum in Bayan-Ulgii province, Sumber soum of Gobisumber province, Orkhon province and in the capital city between 2009 and 2012. The people who conducted the training were N.Buyandelger, son of famous ‘Tsuur’ player P.Narantsogt, B.Naranbat, the grandson, their relative B.Tseden-Ish, his student N.Sengedorj, N.Damdindorj, kazakh ‘Tsuur’ player A.Enbek and they used traditional apprenticeship training and classroom training methods. There are around 100 teenagers and young adults in nationwide who have learnt or leaning how to play this instrument as a result of these trainings. ‘Tsuur’ music apprenticeship training not only helps students to learn the method to play the ‘Tsuur’ instrument, but also requires students to know how to create ‘Tsuur’ instrument by themselves and gives them practical ‘Tsuur’ making experience.
- “Hunnu Tsuur Union” NGO and “Egshiglen Magnai” music instrument factory started to produce ‘Tsuur’ in a large amount and supplying the growing demand of ‘Tsuur’ music players and learners.
- UNESCO referred the Living Human Treasure program to its member countries. As a beginning of that program in the country, the national list “Talented people who inherited intangible Cultural heritage in high level” has approved by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in 2010 as their 546th order. The following 5 bearers; N.Buyandelger, B.Naranbat, N.Sengedorj, A.Enbek and A.Baldandorj have registered in that list as a ‘Tsuur’ bearers and it confirms that the heritage can survive and able to develop. The united budget funded these 5 people by 16 200 000 MNT to do apprenticeship program trainings and following supports were given to them.
- The work of making ‘Tsuur’ instrument as a major in professional art university has started in order to stabilize ‘Tsuur’ reputation in a family of Mongolian Traditional musical instruments. For this reason Cultural Heritage Center, Culture and Art University and Ulaanbaatar’s Music and Dance collage signed on cooperation agreement and started to work all together to supply with training materials and instruments, to plan syllabus and to acknowledge the training methods to the teachers who will teach.
- The Cultural Heritage Center published “Mongolian tsuur” DVD lesson and study books for ‘Tsuur’ music trainings. These training facilities were highly demanded among trainers, teacher, ‘Tsuur’ art bearers, music schools and professional art organizations and artists. It also became fruitful study materials to learn general ‘Tsuur’ music methods and traditional methods, to teach and disseminate.
C: Awareness raising, dissemination and promotion
- A book “Mongolian most rare traditional Intangible cultural Heritages” and “Mongolian Traditional Intangible cultural Heritages” published in Mongolian and English language for the dissemination work of traditional ‘Tsuur’ music in local and foreign countries. These books included ‘Tsuur’ instruments and its players photos, introductions and dissemination and research compositions.
- Many speeches related to Mongolian ‘Tsuur’ have presented in Science and Research meetings about the study of traditional art and culture in the country. Also similar speeches presented in “The V Grassland Culture Forum.2009” in Inner Mongolia of China, “Sounds of EURASIA” in Buriad’s Ulan-Ude in Russian Federation and in VII Congress-Festival.
- In 2013, we have organized a conference on "Tsuur music's actual situation and its difficulties" in Ulaanbaatar to discuss pertaining its future protection, development, art of ‘Tsuur’ making and related customs.
- Traditional Art Festival 2011, Oirad’s Art and Culture “Ikh Hogsuu” festival and “Altan Huree” Uriannhai’s yearly art, culture and sport festival which conducted by Urianhai’s History and Culture supporting Union all had bagpipe playing competitions. Many participants participated in these competitions and they were good encouragement to improve the abilities of the ‘Tsuur’ music players and increased their repertories.
- Mongolian National Broadcaster made television program “Golden Heritage” about Urianhai Tsuur music and its player,
- Eagle television made “Tsuur Heritage”, Ekh Oron television made “Urianhai tsuur tradition” and Mongolian National Radio made “Melody of the tsuur music”. All of these programs were good dissemination in the society. These television and radio dissemination programs were made during the report duration and together with previous art works they had big influence on recovering, supporting and creating good environment for ‘Tsuur’ music art development.
- The previous art works are: “Shuudriin Dusal” tele-program, “Hunnu’s wooden tsuur instrument” and “Melody of tsuur music” documentary movies and “Echo of Mountains and Waters” audio CD.

B.3.c. Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

The safeguarding measures were elaborated with full participation of the ICH bearers, concerned representatives of relevant NGOs, and their opinions and recommendations were freely been reflected in the projects.
The main activities under this project for safeguarding the epic, conducting research, advertising and transmitting to the younger generation were implemented with full participation of the Tsuur performers and associations established by themselves. These are:
- The relative and offspring of Uriankhai’s Tsagaan Tug clan’s famous tsuur music player Paarai Narantsogt and their students established a community concerned group. This group became the main supporting center to transmit and develop Mongolian tsuur music art and its traditional repertory. This Altaic Urianhai’s tsuur tradition has transmitted well in Paarai Narantsogt’s family who are from the Tsagaan Tug clan of Hovd province’s Duut soum. They are P.Narantsogt’s sons: N.Buyandelger, N.Erdenebaatar, grandsons: B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, M.Sukhnasan, B.Nekhjargal, T.Erdenebaatar, B.Munguntsooj, granddaughters: B.Bayartsetseg,B.Battsooj, B.Munkhchimeg, students: N.Sengedorj, Damdinjav, A.Baldandorj and E.Baatarjav. These people are the sole bearers and protecting Mongolian tsuur music's tradition. Also they took the responsibility to develop the tsuur music art with honor and working hard within their strength. “Tsagaan Tug” clan’s tsuur music players are the most active participants to promote it in the society. They have done many disseminations works through art stages, televisions and radios.
- “Hunnu tsuur players’ Union” has been an important part of protecting tsuur music repertory, transmitting, developing and disseminating works. This union consists of the active members of the clan, traditional musical instrument researchers and cultural pioneers.
- Music teacher G.Nyamjantsan, from the music and dance college and music teacher N.Sanjaadorj, from State University of Arts and Culture have included the traditional tsuur music in their educational programs.
- The Cultural Heritage Center published “Mongolian tsuur” DVD lesson and study books for ‘Tsuur’ music trainings. These training facilities were highly demanded among trainers, teacher, ‘Tsuur’ art bearers, music schools and professional art organizations and artists. It also became fruitful study materials to learn general ‘Tsuur’ music methods and traditional methods, to teach and disseminate.
- A book “Mongolian most rare traditional Intangible cultural Heritages” and “Mongolian Traditional Intangible cultural Heritages” published in Mongolian and English language for the dissemination work of traditional ‘Tsuur’ music in local and foreign countries. These books included ‘Tsuur’ instruments and its players photos, introductions and dissemination and research compositions.
- Many speeches related to Mongolian ‘Tsuur’ have presented in Science and Research meetings about the study of traditional art and culture in the country. Also similar speeches presented in “The V Grassland Culture Forum.2009” in Inner Mongolia of China, “Sounds of EURASIA” in Buriad’s Ulan-Ude in Russian Federation and in VII Congress-Festival.
-Traditional Art Festival 2011, Oirad’s Art and Culture “Ikh Hogsuu” festival and “Altan Huree” Uriannhai’s yearly art, culture and sport festival which conducted by Urianhai’s History and Culture supporting Union all had bagpipe playing competitions. Many participants participated in these competitions and they were good encouragement to improve the abilities of the ‘Tsuur’ music players and increased their repertories.

B.3.d. Timetable and budget

Name of activity - Implementing body – Timeline - Fund(USD)
1. To hold “Ceremony to take Certificate of the Traditional music of the Tsuur” and photo exhibition, Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, NatCom, Center for Cultural Heritage,
“Hunnu Tsuur players’ Union” - 2010; USD 1.500
2. To organize Western region Workshop (apprenticeship and classroom trainings), Center for Cultural Heritage, “Hunnu Tsuur players’ Union” - 2010-2012 ; USD 4.000
3. To organize Central region Workshop (apprenticeship and classroom trainings), Center for Cultural Heritage, “Hunnu Tsuur players’ Union” - 2010-2012 ; USD 4.000
4. The work of making ‘Tsuur’ instrument as an optional major in Professional Art University; Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Cultural Heritage Center, Culture and Art University and Ulaanbaatar’s Music and Dance collage – 2012; USD 6.000
5. Creation of a registration-information database at local and national level, Center for Cultural Heritage, Local Government Administrations - 2009-2011; USD 4.500
6. To publish DVD lessons, study books for Tsuur music trainings; Center for Cultural Heritage, “Tsagaan Tug” clan’s Tsuur players - 2010-2011; USD 6.500
7.To produce a serial documentaries and media production on the customs and rituals related to the Tsuur aims to further raise the awareness; Center for Cultural Heritage, “Tsagaan Tug” clan’s Tsuur players, “Hunnu Tsuur players’ Union” - 2010-2012; USD 9.500
8. To conduct scientific meeting on the “Traditional music of the Tsuur”: Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, NatCom, Center for Cultural Heritage – 2011; USD5.000
9. To deepen the study and researches on the “Traditional music of the Tsuur”: Center for Cultural Heritage, “Hunnu Tsuur players’ Union” - 2010-2014; USD 4.800
TOTAL USD45.800

B.3.e Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Tsuur music’s ability to coexistance improved in the result of the series of tsuur music safeguarding activities which are mentioned above. We accomplished to restore the traditional Mongolian tsuur music which includes tradition of playing the tsuur, developing, training, studing, promoting, and providing in sustainable framework.
The main result was historical dark period which tried to neglect the traditional culture and religion. It treated traditional art and culture as a part of old time and it was government plan to get rid of tradition and art of people.
In order to identify the ‘Tsuur’ music bearers, register them, study, disseminate and transmit to the next generations Mongolian tsuur music tradition has restored and certain improvements appeared in the ways of protecting, developing, teaching, studying, researching, disseminating and sustaining the tradition. Community and its people’s understanding and awareness improved about tsuur music tradition and its social value has increased dramatically.
Mongolian tsuur survived the risk of vanishing and good foundation established for tsuur music art to still be an important part of traditional musical instrument and Mongolian traditional intangible cultural heritage.
We are working on to combine traditional "apprenticeship training" method with modern teaching principles and need to find effective teaching structure for formal and informal training systems in order to inherit the bagpipe to the next generations. Art of tsuur has spread well and developed out from Altai Mountain and Uriankhai tribe`s area and number of tsuur players has increased. Also it is not sufficient to focus on increasing the number of players who know how to make a sound of tsuur in order to safeguarding the Mongolian traditional tsuur music.
But we didn’t have not enough budget to accomplish the activities that we planned. We need to develop good legal and financial environment in order to guarantee the life of bearers and the need of setting good motivation system.
We couldn’t accpomlish the following two plans: Organizing Mongolian traditional Tsuur music Festival and Reporting Performance of the tsuur music trainings. So we postponed to accomplish them in 2014. Also we don’t have enough human resource to conduct all the trainings. Recovering the tradition of wooden tsuur requires long time and effort. Because playing tsuur demands dual action of vocal cords and extraordinary technique. Therefore not everybody learns playing tsuur as well as they need rehearsals with teacher`s instruction and hard studying.
The art of playing Mongolian tsuur is a wide concept which requires to acquire the richest repertory imagination`s developed by bearers to heirs of generations. Currently there are around 40 folk pieces of Mongol Altaic Uriankhai tribe`s inherited repertory notified they represent nature, mountains, water draws, animal sound, relationship between humankind and nature, human feelings. Those tunes transmitted by hearing and memory through generations instead of music notes, which means it is in a danger of vanishing with the players who practice.
As time goes by the traditional tsuur is coming closer to the edge of vanishing and we insure that the safeguarding work of transmission to the next generation, studying and spreading will continue sustainably.

B.4. Community participation

Uriankhai’s “Tsagaan Tug” clan’s traditional tsuur music player P.Narantsogt’s students and offspring had biggest roles in the task of safeguarding the Tsuur music tradition and heritage. They are P.Narantsogt’s sons: N.Buyandelger, N.Erdenebaatar, grandsons: B.Naranbat, B.Zagdjav, M.Sukhnasan, B.Nekhjargal, T.Erdenebaatar, B.Munguntsooj, granddaughters: B.Bayartsetseg,B.Battsooj, B.Munkhchimeg, students: N.Sengedorj, Damdinjav, A.Baldandorj and E.Baatarjav. These people are the sole bearers and protecting Mongolian tsuur music's tradition. This group, community of bearers have 15 active members and the group has both elder and young members. They conducted trainings using the traditional apprenticeship training and classroom training method. Besides, they contributed in development of the training and dissemination activities such as a guidebook, DVD, CD. Also were actively involved in the activities in order to safeguard, protect, restore, develop, disseminate, transmit, inherit, teach and promote it through media, publication and radio.
Safeguarding the tradition and heritage of tsuur music is very important and matter of reputation affecting responsibility for the members of “Tsagaan Tug” clan. Also there's few craftsmen who makes tsuur musical instrument and teenagers who are learning to play tsuur music joined the community and it guarantees that the art of traditional tsuur music’s development in the future. These bearers are specialized by their heritage Altaic Urianhai’s tsuur playing method, traditions, repertory and tsuur musical instrument hand making techniques in the same place where this art is originated.

B.5. Institutional context

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

1. Ms Ts.Tsendsuren
Head of the Cultural Heritage Departement,
Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Government building X, Place Barilgachid, Chingeltei District,
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Tel: +976-9312-4367
Fax: +976-11-310466
email: tsendsuren0525@yahoo.com
Department is responsible for the method and planning of safeguarding the cultural heritage
2. Cultural Heritage Center
This is a professional and certificated organization and its ICH section established in 2008 in order to protect both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Organization works in worldwide to safeguard and protect documents and videos, research on ICH bearers, inventorying transmission program for future generations and central archive for registration and information.
Address: Mongolia, 21 06 20 a, Ulaanbaatar, Sukhbaatar district, Sukhbaatar square 3, Jamiyang’s street, B section of Central Cultural palace
POBox: Ulaanbaatar 210628, Mongolia
Director: G.Enkhbat
Tel Phone: + 976-11-312-735
+ 976-70110877
Fax: + 976-11-312735
E-mail: enkhbat@mongolheritage.mn
Web: www.monheritage.mn
Head of ICH division: Mr S.Yundenbat
Tel: + 976-88000239.
E-mail: yundenbat@monheritage.mn
3.“Hunnu tsuur players union” NGO
Headman: B.Naranbat
Address: Bayanzurkh district, 23th subdistrict , School А-5-60
Tel: + 976-9490 0904
+ 976-9924 2363
Fax: 976-7015 4576
E-mail: baldaa_04@monheritage.mn

B.6. Participation of communities in preparing this report

The following bearers, groups and NGOs sent their reports and their representatives and community has actively involved in this report. They are:
The relative and offspring of Urianhai’s Tsagaan Tug clan, Hovd Province, Duut soum’s famous traditional tsuur music player Paarai Narantsogt and their students’ community concerned group, “Hunnu tsuur players’ Union”, Oirad’s art and culture “Ikh Hogsuu” movement, “Union to support Uriankhai’s history and culture”.
In March 2012 the Government have established a commission to work on the national activity reports for the different measures taking by Mongolia to safeguard and protect the elements inscribed on UNESCO List of Urgent Safeguarding of ICH. This commission is represented by governmental and non governmental organizations, community, practitioners, bearers and individuals. Above mentioned members of the commission were approved. And during the process of preparation of this report, the community, practitioners and individuals have assisted and give information about their contribution to the activity depending their field and some community and association have sent an written report of their local activity.

C. Signature on behalf of the state party

The report should conclude with the original signature of the official empowered to sign it on behalf of the State, together with his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

M.Tumenjargal

Title

Vice- Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Date

30-01-2014