Name of State Party
Mongolia
Name of element
Traditional music of the Tsuur
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)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
"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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Title
Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Sports