Tuva.Asia / The New Research of Tuva

Throat singer Kongar-ool Ondar from Tuva, the tiny region of Siberia just outside of Outer Mongolia, was supposed to have been singing out in three-part harmony — by himself — atop a horse equipped with a stereo amplifier in Tuesday's Rose Parade. The sound equipment was designed to prevent a repeat of his first appearance in 1993, when Ondar, singing without amplification, couldn't be heard over the din of the crowd. Unfortunately, for reasons not immediately clear, Ondar was silent as he and two bare-chested dancers dubbed Flying Eagles of Tuva exchanged waves and smiles with fans shortly after the start of the parade on the KTLA-TV (Channel 5) broadcast. It was a sad, silent echo of what happened two decades ago, when the throat-singing horsemen weredrowned out during the 1993 Rose Parade by a high school band. Just before this year's parade, Ondar spokesman Ralph Leighton told The Times that "this time, Ondar will be microphoned so that fans along the parade route can hear him singing multiple notes simultaneously."

Results of complex expedition research of therapeutic and touristic-recreational use of natural arzhaan complex "Choigan mineral waters" will be presented today at a scientific seminar at the National Museum of Tuva. The initiators of this educational seminar are the Scientific Research institute of medical and social problems and government of Republic Tuva, Tuvan regional section of Russian Geographic Society, and OOO "Laboratory of arzhaanology and tourism". Evaluation of results of clinical medicine studies of natural therapy at the springs of Choigan arzhaan is on the program of this action. It includes diagnostic laboratory studies, cardiologic studies, possibility of therapy for neurologic, ophthalmologic and musculo-skeletal disorders at the Choigan arzhaan mineral springs. The scientific research workers and physicians of medical institutions took into account also the social-demographic character of the citizens who came for recreation and therapy to the Choigan arzhaan complex during last year, and the adaptation potential of human organism to high altitude mountain conditions.

On 20 May 2012, the famous Russian sailing ship "Sedov" departed form Sankt-Peterburg and started on a 14-month circumnavigation of the world. The journey of "Sedov" - the largest training sailing ship of the world - is dedicated to the 1150th anniversary of the birth of Russian statehood and the 200th anniversary of the first Russian circumnavigation of I.F. Kruzenstern and Yu.F. Lisianskiy. For the explorer, film director, ethnographer and member of Russian Geographic Society Leonid Kruglov, the journey of "Sedov" represents the last stage of his project "Seven courageous ones. In the footprints of great Russian explorers.". After the completion of the circumnavigation, the First Channel will show a seven-part serial film of the same name, which will incorporate fresh footage as well as archival materials. On board of the ship, there is also the winner of a contest of Russian Geographic Society "In the footprints of Kruzenstern" Alexandra Mushta, who is keeping a journal of the Pacific segment of the voyage.

In the eight hundred years since his death, people have sought in vain for the grave of Genhis Khan, the 13th-century conqueror and imperial ruler who, at the time of his death, occupied the largest contiguous empire, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Pacific. In capturing most of central Asia and China, his armies killed and pillaged but also forged new links between East and West. One of history’s most brilliant and ruthless leaders, Khan remade the world. But while the life of the conqueror is the stuff of legend, his death is shrouded in the mist of myths. Some historians believe he died from wounds sustained in battle; others that he fell off his horse or died from illness. And his final burial place has never been found. At the time great steps were taken to hide the grave to protect it from potential grave robbers. Tomb hunters have little to go on, given the dearth of primary historical sources. Legend has it that Khan’s funeral escort killed anyone who crossed their path to conceal where the conqueror was buried. Those who constructed the funeral tomb were also killed—as were the soldiers who killed them. One historical source holds that 10,000 horsemen “trampled the ground so as to make it even”; another that a forest was planted over the site, a river diverted.

In mid-December Russian capital will receive a well-known musical ensemble, the Tuvan National Orchestra led by art director and conductor Ayana Mongush, Honored Artist of the Republic of Tuva. Twenty eight musicians and singers, including the eminent world-acclaimed throat singers of Tuva and the members of “Chirgilchin”, “Alash”, ”Khogzhumchu”, ”Ugulza” bands, will give two pre-New Year performances for Muscovites and inhabitants of Stupino, Moscow’s satellite town. The concerts are sponsored by Auriant Mining AB, a Swedish gold mining company, with the assistance of the Plenipotentiary Representative Office of the Republic of Tuva in Moscow.

The first performance will be given at “Koroliovskiy” Concert Hall on December 14, 2012 at 18.00. Address: Akademika Koroliova Street 15, Block 2 ("Maryina Roshcha" or VDNKH metro stations). Information & booking: +7 (499) 236-48-01 — Tuvan Plenipotentiary Representative Office in Moscow.

The Tuvan National Orchestra will perform at StupinoPalace of Culture (Moscow Region) on December 15, 2012. Address: Stupino, Moscow Region, Prospekt Pobedy, 18/43. Phone: +7 (496-64) 4-14-23.

We are happy to present you the fourth and the last issue of The New Research of Tuva this year. The winter release contains articles of our permanent and very recent authors. In fact, there are 14 new authors in the current release!

The issue includes a full interview with a Doctor of Historical Sciences Vladimir Datsyshen, Orientalist articles (about Mongolia and Mongolology; about the current state of science in Bashkortostan);

itineraries about Tuvans of China written by a Doctor of Historical Sciences Marina Mongush who had visited  those places, where she gathered ethnographic materials 20 years ago;

an article of German anthropologist Annette Olschlegel presenting a genre of Tuvan legends;

a feedback on Sergey Brilyov’s book and on his impressions about Tuva and many other materials.

In southwest Siberia in Tuva, between Mongolia and Altai, the mountain massif Mongun-Taiga spread its shoulders - the mountain ridges, glittering with glaciers of the Silver Mountain. It is a harsh land of wind-blown high-altitude meadows, stony slopes and icy rivers. Only strong and tough people survive here, Tuvans of Turkic roots, living a nomadic life with their herds of sheep and yaks. They are kind to their guests, but guests are rare - it is not an easy road to the remote mountain pastures. But those who had made the trip fell in love with the simple beauty of its wild nature and the people living in harmony with it. Mongun-Taiga kozhuun, one of the most beautiful and mountainous districts of Tuva, is located in the south-west of the republic. It is named after the tallest mountain of Tuva, which is visible here from anywhere - Mongun-Taiga, with the altitude of 3970 meters (@13,220 feet). The name speaks for itself - Silver Mountain, as the glaciers covering it glitter in the sun.

 Journalists of the “Rossia-1” and “Rossia-24” TV channels working in the Agro Business and Agrarian Morning programs visited Tuva. The production team plans to make several video plots related to the farming sector of Tuva including yak and horse breeding, milk processing, traditional products manufacture (sarzhag, chokpek, aarzhy, tarak, khoytpak, byshtak), as a reporter Inga Kanisheva stated.

“We are also interested in the way the beginning farmers support program is implementing in the republic” – the reporter emphasized. “This is a great opportunity  to present our republic on the state federal TV channels within popular trade business programs, especially when there are so many  positive outcomes in the areas of the journalists’ interest”  - the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sergey Oyun said.

On 6-9 November  the production team visited Mongun-Taiga, Bay-Taiga, Dzun-Khemchik districts having visited local farmers.

The Tuvan State University of Kyzyl, Republic of Tuva is organizing a summer study program for foreigners, from June 30 - July 14, 2013 called “Two Weeks of Tuva”.

Participants will study the Tuvan language four academic hours (three actual hours) a day, Monday through Friday, in groups of 3-6 students.  By the end of the 40-academic-hour program, participants will know basic words, simple phrases, and how to talk about themselves, their family and their home.

Evenings and weekends will be spent visiting museums, sites and concerts and enjoying nature outings.  Special interviews with historians, musicians and religious leaders will also be organized.  During a portion of their stay, participants will be able to live in a traditional Tuvan yurt.

Participants will be met by a representative of the Tuvan State University in Krasnoyarsk, Russia on the morning of June 30^th and will take a bus down to Kyzyl, Tuva where the majority of the program activities will take place.  Those enrolling are responsible for their own travel to and from Krasnoyarsk, Russia prior to June 30^th.  Bus fare back to Krasnoyarsk on July 14^th is also included into the program.

The Tuvan State Ensemble “Sayany” has opened its 44th concert season in new capacity. The quire received a new status of the independent structural subdivision of the Ministry of Culture.

Uran Tulush, the ex-deputy director of the philharmonic, became a Principle of the new entity; Ayan Mandan-Khorluu was appointed as a Principal Balletmaster; Marat Tumat from Saint Petersburg was invited to take up a position of an Art Director; and Mengilen Sat from Moscow – as a Producer-Balletmaster. Today, we are introducing you Marat Tumat, an Art Director of the “Sayany” Ensemble.

-Marat Alexandrovich, how did you find your way to ballet?

-I was a year 4 student at the Samagaltay School when a Balletmaster Vyacheslav Oktyabrovich Dongak stopped by in our classroom during the lesson. He said it was enrolment at the choreographic school being held. He examined every kid for his flexibility, leaps, turnouts and an ear for music. Only four children from Tuva were selected then and were sent for studying at the State Buryat Choreographic School. I had a privilege to be one of them.

It was very tough and unclear at the very start. A day in the school used to be very busy, the classes started at 9 am finishing at 6 pm. Living away from home and my parents didn’t add optimism too. In addition, I had entire C marks in my speciality class in the beginning.

The Famous Tuvan ethno-rock group, known beyond the bounds of Russia, Yat-Kha has given a concert at the World Music Festival, which took place at the site of the club EverJazz. Musicians performed songs from different albums, as well as few new songs. They started with throat singing — a leader of the group, guitarist and vocalist Albert Kuvezin owns this authentic art to perfection. However, pure ethnic on Sunday’s performance was a little. After the first composition they performed numbers more energetic. They sang some Russian songs, many songs in Tuvan, and a pair of tracks has been executed in English ("Yat-Kha" performed well as a couple of covers).

Albert Kuvezin, the group leader, ironically called quick and powerful songs "people's revolutionary songs. Strange thing — only three musicians (among Kuvezhin drummer Evgeny Tkachev and Sholban Mongush who plays on iguil were on stage) gave a powerful presentation full of energy, which other orchestras cannot do.  Magic or shamanism — it cannot be otherwise. "Yat-Kha" is really democratic — all three participants sing. And the player on iguil (Tuvan folk instrument resembling the sound of a violin or violoncello) Sholban Mongush performed as the main vocalist in several compositions.

One of the most popular Tuvan shamans in the West, member of «Dungur» (Tambourine) consociation Dugar-Surun Ochur-oolovich Oorzhak returned to the republic after series of seminars in the cities of Austria. He familiarized Europeans with the shamanic practices of Tuva. Dugar-Surun Oorzhak has participated in the two main events of Tuva. First, the International Symposium in 1993 as a joint initiative of the Finnish scientist Heimo Lappalainen and principal researcher of Tuvan shamanism Mongush Kenin-Lopsan.

Also he was one of the organizers of 2003 International Shamanism Forum in Tuva dedicated to tenth anniversary of the first International Symposium. During the forum a shamanistic ritual was held on the sacred mountain Haiyrakan. Foreign guests and representatives of most of different shamanistic consociations of Tuva took part in the ritual.

Dugar-Surun Oorzhak is one of shamans making attributes for rituals and producing skins for tambourine on their own. His shaman costume weighs 15 kilograms. People come to his hut to get an advice, help, well-being rituals, spiritual growth, and health improvement. Some legends and tales of the Tuvan people were written by Olard Dixon from Dugar-Surun Oorzhak, part of them were included into the book «By shamanic paths» (M., 2007).

Khertek Amyrbitovna Anchymaa Toka commemoration evening arranged to coincide with her centennial anniversary was held at the National Museum of Tuva on October 26. Khertek Amyrbitovna was a Tuvan and Soviet statesperson, the first woman led the Supreme governing body of Tuva Malyi Khural. Relatives, colleagues, public figures, and politicians came to the meeting.

A close friend, a teammate and a colleague of Khertek Amyrbitovna Grigoriy Shirshin told he was always admiring her working capacity (hard working). He was consulting on all social and economic questions and was always getting an appropriate advice:

“Our joint business trips to Mongolia and to Novosibirsk have become the most unforgettable memories. Those were unforgettable days. Very few people remember that Khertek Amyrbitovna and I established the first amateur performances group in Kyzyl at school №3”

The niece of Khertek Amyrbitovna Chechek Arataa remembers her as a sympathetic and a very attentive person.

Lecturers of the Tuvan State University have won a grant for teaching English to children from large and low-income families.

The selection process took place in the main building of the University on October 20.

More than 20 children supported by their parents gathered in the University auditorium. Just before the examination, the project felicitator, the Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences Elena Baykalova asked parents to fill in the required papers for their children, to provide the certificates confirming their social standing and to indicate the phone numbers. The children who match all the criteria will have the opportunity for enhanced English language studying and for building leadership skills.

Elena Baykalova:

It is the second group of children. We won a grant last year as well; as a result, 10 children are studying English under this program. All of them are in the “Orlyonok” children’s camp now where they continue learning English

Government of Tuva approved a project of a law concerning "About protection of intangible cultural heritage of Republic Tyva", according to which it is proposed to regulate the expression, conservation and utilization of the spiritual heritage transmitted from generation to generation, and demonstrating the cultural variety of peoples of Republic Tyva. The remarkable Tuvan throat-singing, stone carving art, ancient traditions and rituals, including unique traditions of Russian culture, which have been conserved on the territory of the republic, folklore, national holidays - everything that is so remarkable and attractive about Tuva, will be included among the objects of intangible cultural heritage, and will be protected by law.

The project of this law, developed by Tuvan Ministry of culture, establishes the basic concepts of protection of cultural heritage, defines the types of objects of intangible heritage, ways of their application, defines the right of the citizens for access to and use of the intangible cultural heritage, and the right to express their cultural identity.