Polyphonic Folk Songs
01 · Historical Records
Chaord probably originated about the end of the twelfth and the beginning of the thirteenth century and reached its height in the late Ming and early Qing, circulating mainly in the Mongol areas of settlement around Xilinhot city and Abag banner in the Xilin Gol league of Inner Mongolia. The Abaga chaor is a branch of chaord current in Abag banner, and to this day it preserves a strict order of pieces and solemn occasions of singing.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Chaord is an ancient and distinctive form of multi-part folk-song singing of the Mongol people. The traditional chaord consists of the two parts of the long song and the chaor, one above the other, and its singers are generally men; chaord of later development also includes women. The singer produces different notes and timbres with the voice, adjusts the shape of the mouth, and by resonance of the chest cavity produces the marvellous harmonic effect of two notes at the unison and the octave. The Abaga chaor is what we commonly call chaord. The content of chaord pieces is dignified and solemn, of ancient meaning and profound philosophy. It may not be sung on ordinary occasions such as small gatherings of relatives and friends in daily life, nor mixed with love songs or satirical songs; it may be sung only on solemn occasions such as state memorial ceremonies, obo sacrifices and the promotions of princes and nobles, or at grand and magnificent mass assemblies. The singers must be neatly dressed, with Mongol men wearing all their ornaments (such as the Mongol knife and the fire steel) complete, and standing majestic and upright before the presiding seat of the gathering or in the very middle of the yurt to sing in solemnity. Chaord pieces have a strict order of sequence. In affairs of state, for instance, one must first sing Erite Chagan, then Narmotu Manduhu, and finally end with The Holy Lord Genghis Khan. The pieces current in Abag banner include chiefly Erite Chagan, Alatan Arula, Handele Hei, The Holy Lord Genghis Khan and Cheburi Saihan Hori.
Erite Chagan
In affairs of state ceremonial the first piece to be sung, followed by Narmotu Manduhu and ended with The Holy Lord Genghis Khan.
Alatan Arula
One of the pieces of the Abaga chaord current in Abag banner, Inner Mongolia.
Handele Hei
One of the pieces of the Abaga chaord, sung on solemn occasions such as obo sacrifices.
The Holy Lord Genghis Khan
The closing piece of the chaord sequence in affairs of state ceremonial.
Cheburi Saihan Hori
One of the pieces of the Abaga chaord current in Abag banner.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
The Abaga chaor is distributed mainly in the Mongol areas of settlement of Abag banner in the Xilin Gol league of Inner Mongolia, where the local chaord tradition is relatively completely preserved; representative pieces include Erite Chagan, Alatan Arula, Handele Hei, The Holy Lord Genghis Khan and Cheburi Saihan Hori.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Hanizuduoshengbu Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs · Polyphonic Folk Songs.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
At present this ancient singing art is gradually reviving from its decline. (Associated bearer recorded in the official archive:) Suyilatu, male, Mongol, born March 1966, a native of Abag banner, Inner Mongolia. He loved music from childhood and from 1983 learned the singing of the Abaga chaord with the famous master of the horse-head fiddle, the long song and chaord, Mashibatu, becoming one of the master Mashibatu's three great disciples. From 1985 he has unceasingly studied and delved into the singing techniques and pieces of the Abaga chaord, explored and summed up its cultural threads and historical tradition, and through comparing skills with folk artists of chaord his artistic level has steadily matured. The Abaga chaord he sings has a rich timbre and a grand momentum. He is a representative bearer of the fifth batch of national-level intangible cultural heritage items, the multi-part folk song (chaord—Abaga chaor). In recent years he has several times organized Abaga chaor singing training classes in his home place and has trained more than thirty transmitters.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Che Ge 02-0258
- Chen Xiniang 02-0259
- Manglai 03-0829
- Wen Guiyuan 03-0830
- Lang Jiamu 03-0831
- Suyilatu 05-2052
- Fang Shaobao 05-2053
- Mo Huamei
- Ou Yumei
- Jiancheya
- Zeyingjun
- Yang Kaiyuan
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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