Tuva.Asia / The New Research of Tuva

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.

The yurt-museum is located not far from national Museum in Kyzyl; it complements the cultural treasure-house of original expositions, immersing the visitors in the daily life of Tuvans. - What is the main difference between a yurt and other types of dwellings? O.D.: A yurt is, first of all, a typical nomadic dwelling. That is why it is easy to take it apart and transport it, then reassemble it again in two hours at the most, depending on the size of the yurt. The yurt and its interior furnishings are made from light materials by hand, in conditions of home craft production, and everything is adapted for nomadic way of life. The rugs are traditionally made from white sheep wool, and decorated with colored embroidery. Chests and headboards of beds are also decorated with embroidery. The chests always come in pairs in Tuva - two, four, six, eight… - The chests always stand opposite the yurt entrance, but to whom do they belong? O.D.: Those on the right belong to the lady of the household and the children, those on the left belong to the master of the household. The master sits closer to the door, he protects the living space and watches the livestock.

A film of a Tuvan director Vladimir Kopush "Kushkash-ool (Bird-boy) "(2011) has won at the Russian media competition “Patriot of Russia – 2012” in the television category. The film is about a Tuvan American musician Sean Quirk. Eight years ago he was a student at the College of Music in Chicago and heard for the first time a record of “Huun-Huur-Tu”, a world-famous Tuvan group of throat singing performers. And Sean Quirk's life has totally changed. He left for a distant and unknown place, the Republic of Tuva.

Now, he is a soloist at the National Orchestra of Tuva, Honoured Artist of the Republic. Recently in the capital of Republic, Kyzyl, he has given his solo-concert which was very successful. The story of Sean Quirk told by himself, by his teacher Valentina Suzukey and by his new friends will help viewers understand why here, on the other side of the planet, a young American found his second home. The award ceremony of the contest will take place in Voronezh on 26-27 October 2012.

The first Sean Quirk’s solo concert was held in the Folk Arts House in Kyzyl on October 19. Sean Quirk is the Honoured Artist of Tuva, the soloist of the Tuvan National Orchestra, an American by birth, but a Tuvan by calling. His family, friends, and colleagues came to support the musician. There were so many the Honored and the People’s artists performing on one stage that it felt over-the-top: Alash Folk Ensemble, People’s Khoomeizhys of Tuva Andrey Mongush, Igor Koshkendey, Bady-Dorzhu Ondar, Kongar-ool Ondar.

Back in 2003, 25-year old American from Milwaukee city, WI heard the throat singing on the CD given by chance by one of his friends. It was khoomey sung by the Huun-Huur-Tu Ensemble, which amazed Sean so deeply that he fell in love with the unusual sounds of Tuvan musicians.

The secret of “how are they signing it” was haunting his mind. He started trying to copy the sounds, but had no luck. Then Sean takes risks and decides to go to Tuva with the main object to perceive throat singing.

The Candidates of Philological Sciences, Professor Mira Bavuu-Syuryun and a Senior Lecturer of the Tuvan Philology and General Linguistics department of the TSU Aelita Salchak as well as Khiys Gansukh, a member of the Education Institute of Mongolian Ministry of Science and Education, have been going on an expedition to Mongolia from 13-27 September 2012. The scientists visited Bayan-Olgii, Khovd, Central aimags (provinces), and the capital of the country. The philologists have been addressing the problems associated with native (Tuvan) language study in the conditions of multilingualism since 2011.

The issue of teaching Tuvan language and the related problems of developing thinking skills and socialization of Tuvan children living in Northwestern Mongolia require immediate solution.

Learning in non-native tongue in primary schools is a barrier not only for language and thinking skills development but also for the whole process of getting education.

There are Tuvans and Kazakhs living in Tsengel Bayan-Olgii province of Mongolia, and only 20% of population make ethnic Tuvans, so they form a national minority socializing in Mongolian and Kazakh languages.

The Mongolian Academy of Sciences (MAS) in association with the Mongolian National University is very honoured to host the 13th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) in Ulaanbaatar from Sunday 21st July to Saturday 27th July 2013. The joint convenors will be Dr S. Chuluun (Institute of History, MAS), Dr U. Bulag (University of Cambridge), and Dr Ulrike Roesler (University of Oxford). It is with great pleasure that we now extend this invitation for proposals for papers and panels.

The Academy of Practical Ethnopsychology is to open in the Tuvan State University on 9 October 2012. The Academy will consist of the different psychology schools of the University:

the young fathers’ school with its aim to help young men to understand their huge role in parenting; the Aistyonok school with maternity education for young women; the school of beauty, design and art which is directed to unlock students’ creativity; the school of ethnopsychology that will teach the basics of ethnic culture and psychotherapy.

All of the schools are based on the Mederel, the Center of practical psychology and etiquette, and the Health center of the Tuvan University.

The students’ art exhibition will be available at the Academy’s opening ceremony showing different pieces of art and ideas.

To the Highest Mountain Peaks of Alaska, Australia, and Europeis a recently published book in Tuvan language written by one of the leading novelists in the republic Maadyr-ool Khovalyg.

It is the second author’s book of the Travelling series telling about the expeditions of the Tuvan mountaineers to the highest mountain peaks of the regions. The first book Tuvans on the peaks of the world was published in 2010 and was sold out within three months.

The new book contains three chapters:

“McKinley the Threatening Mountain of Alaska Natives” which is about climbing to the top of the highest point in the North America;

“Go, Beautiful Australia!” is dedicated to the travelling around Australia and mount Kosciuszko expedition;

“The Highest Mountain Peak of Europe, Mt Elbrus is beneath us” is the third chapter and narrates about climbing Elbrus.

The book contains a great deal of interesting information, for example:

The first map of Tuva showing all the known touristic attractions has been released. The map indicates the locations of wildlife sanctuaries, cultural sites, the most popular routs, tracks, mineral springs (arzhaans), fishing, hunting, rafting spots etc. It also demonstrates the infrastructure of the region, including residential areas, roads, tourist camps, motels, cafes, petrol stations. The backside of the map contains pictures and materials of Tuva. The map was presented as part of the opening of the inter-regional fair “Community: Tuva-Khakasia-Krasnoyask krai”. There are only 2000 copies printed, but in the long term, the number is to be increased as well as the online version is to be available. The map indicates more than 40 touristic attractions of the republic, and, as explained by the head of the Tourism Department Kandemir Mongush, it has been based on the recent government supported project “Tos-Ertine” or “Nine Treasures of Tuva”.

The copy of the Oscar statuette is right in the middle of the museum hall. In 1976, the movie of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosava Dersu Uzala was awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. The Tuvan actor, Maksim Munzuk played the title role of the hunter, the native of the Ussuri taiga, having created a charming character of an openhearted and a simple man.

According to the senior research fellow of the arts and humanities department Lyubov Shoyduk, the unique items, recently given to the museum by the actor’s daughters, form the basis of the exhibition. Personal documents, the Oscar-winning film photographs, movie posters of the actor’s films and many other items are presented at the museum.

Lyubov Shuluevna Shoyduk remembers Maksim Monguzhukovich very well: while being a radio journalist she would repeatedly interview the actor.

Today, the head of Tuva Sholban Kara-ool has endorsed the law concerning the introduction of amendments to the regional languages law. The amendments mainly affect the use of Tuvan language in naming geographical objects, inscriptions, road signs and other signage, as well as studding the language in early childhood education centers. The previous law was only proclaiming that Tuvan language study started in pre-school centers, while the new version of the law outlines the way of realization of the norm. According to the law, a founder or a bylaw of a preschool institution determines the inclusion of the elements of traditional ceremonies, customs and ethics into the studding and educational process. From now on, all the geographical names, inscriptions, and road signs that had been written only in Russian, must be duplicated in Tuvan. Authorized bodies of the executive branch, ministries of culture, education and science, are obligated to monitor the right appearance and the maintenance of the signs and inscriptions.

The genes of Alan-Goa, the mythological great-grandmother pf Genghis Khan and his son Jochi, were discovered by Kazakh geneticists in contemporary Todzhans - descendants of "Royal" Scythians. When I found out that my genetic tree, which was kindly worked up for me by the molecular genetics laboratory in Alma-Ata, contains the genetic group "Rib", which is typical for representatives of descendants of the Celts (Irish, Scottish, and other Western Europeans) as well as Basques and Bashkirs, I was very surprised at first, because there were no migrants from Western Europe among my ancestors. But Siberian Scythians, Uighurs, Uriangkhai, Eastern Khakassians and Genghis Khan's "Mountain Mongols" were completely plausible. However, as I analysed the probable genetic ties of my ancestors, especially their descent from their common great-great-grandmother Alan-Goa ("Mother-Deer"), whose name itself points to ethno-genetic ties to the "Royal" Scythians,, whose first legendary King-Sun was Koloksai, who is the legendary ancestor of Kol and Kular lineages, I came to the conclusion that the presence of Celtic genes in my own generic make-up is completely justifiable. Just like the presence of "signs" of "Arian" genes in Genghis Khan himself, which also appears to be a sufficiently well known historical fact (light hair, white skin, green eyes, etc.).