Kazakh Terme
01 · Historical Records
Tirme is a typical representative of Kazakh quyi. The word "Tirme" is a transliteration from Kazakh and means "gathering the essence", "selecting the finest" or "collecting the best". This "admonitory song", which gathers the essence from Kazakh proverbs, maxims and poetry and sets it to a tune for singing, circulates in the Kazakh-inhabited areas of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and elsewhere; according to the project archive it has a history of more than seven hundred years. It grew up together with the Kazakh tradition of oral poetry and antiphonal singing, and is usually performed at gatherings where akyns meet. Since all of its lyrics are improvised, a performer must be thoroughly versed in the affairs of the world and skilled in human feeling, able to produce finished verse in an instant and reply with ready ease, winning people through reasoning and talent.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Tirme is a typical representative of Kazakh quyi. The word "Tirme" is a transliteration from Kazakh, meaning "gathering the essence", "selecting the finest" and "collecting the best". As a local quyi form, Tirme is a performing form of "admonitory song" that gathers the essence of Kazakh proverbs, maxims and poetry and sets it to a tune for singing. It circulates in the Kazakh-inhabited areas of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and other places, and has a history of more than seven hundred years to date. Tirme is performed in public before gathered audiences in the form of competitive antiphonal singing. The antiphonal singing has no fixed tune patterns or vocal styles in circulation; performers called "akyns" must generate melody and rhythm out of the language itself according to the content they sing, accompanying themselves on the dombra and kobyz as they sing, or singing unaccompanied without any instrument. Since all Tirme lyrics are improvised, Tirme performers must be thoroughly versed in the affairs of the world and skilled in human feeling, with quick wits and broad learning, able to produce finished verse in an instant, reply with ready ease and win people through reasoning and talent. Tirme antiphonal singing is usually carried on between performers from different tribes and different regions. Because it is competitive in character, performers generally exalt themselves and belittle their opposites, speak sharply and press home their advantage, seeking to overbear the other by force of presence. On this the performers have long had a consensus and an understanding, and they forgive one another mutually. When the performance ends, the victor is modest and courteous, and the loser does not take a trivial gain or loss to heart. Tirme is a treasure of the art of the Kazakh nation. Its traditional items mostly express the history, culture and national feeling of the Kazakhs, and both its lyrics and its music are saturated with the characteristics of Kazakh literature and art; it is hailed as a "mirror" and an "encyclopaedia" of the social life of the Kazakh people.
The aqin's improvised duel
Terime is performed as a competitive duel in public; the aqin must derive melody and rhythm from the words themselves, singing to his own dombra or entirely unaccompanied.
The dombra and the kobyz
Singers accompany themselves on the dombra or kobyz, though unaccompanied singing is equally accepted since no fixed instrumentation is prescribed.
A song of counsel drawn from aphorism
Terime is a song of counsel built from distilled Kazakh proverbs, maxims and verse, celebrated as a mirror and encyclopaedia of Kazakh social life.
Contest between clans
The duels pit singers from different clans against one another, sharp-tongued and aggressive during the contest yet mutually forgiving once it ends.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Tirme circulates mainly in the Kazakh-inhabited areas such as the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture Institute of Culture and Arts is the protecting unit. The antiphonal singing is usually carried on between performers from different tribes and different regions and is markedly competitive; pastoral transhumance, weddings and gatherings such as the Nowruz festival are all common occasions for Tirme performance.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
As cultural life grows ever more diversified with the times and people's aesthetic demands undergo major changes, the younger generation of the Kazakhs have become increasingly indifferent to Tirme, leaving it with a dearth of audience and of inheritors. This ancient traditional art is facing the danger of dying out and is in urgent need of protection.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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