Kyrgyz music is
nomadic and rural, and is closely related to
Turkmen and
Kazakhfolk forms. Kyrgyz folk music is characterized by the use of long, sustained pitches, with
Russian elements also prominent.
Traditional music
Travelling musicians and
shamans called
manaschi are popular for their singing and
komuz-playing. Their music is typically heroic
epics, such as the most famous story, the Manas epic (20 times longer than
Homer's
Odyssey), which is the patriotic tale of a warrior named
Manas, and his descendants, who fight with the
Chinese.[1] There are modern reciters of the Manas who are very popular, such as
Rysbek Jumabaev and
Sayaqbay Karalaev.[2]
Aside from the komuz, Kyrgyz folk instruments include the
kyl kiak (qyl-qyiyak), a two-stringed upright bow instrument (cf.
fiddle),
sybyzgy, a side-blown
flute,
chopo-choor and the
temir ooz komuz (mouth komuz), also known as
jaw harp in some countries. The komuz is the national instrument of Kyrgyzstan. It is a plucked string instrument. The kyl kiak, however, is also an important symbol of Kyrgyz identity. It is a string instrument, related to the Mongolian
morin khuur, and is associated with horses and the vital role they play in Kyrgyz culture.[3]Shamanistic elements of Kyrgyz folk culture remain, including the
dobulba (a
frame drum), the
asa-tayak (a wooden device decorated with bells and other objects) and the earlier mentioned
kyl kiak.
A widespread variety of instrumental music called kui (or küü) tells narratives that revolve around a musical journey.[1] The narrative, which is entirely expressed without words, is sometimes punctuated with exaggerated gestures to mark important parts of the story.[3]
Performers
Modern interpreters of Kyrgyz traditional music include the
Kambarkan national folk ensemble.[3]
Salamat Sadikova is a popular traditional Kyrgyz singer with a strong voice, who is capable of holding notes for a remarkably long duration. Her repertoire includes contemporary folk-style compositions as well as folk songs.[3]
Other notable acts include Tengir-Too, the Djunushov Brothers, Jusup Aisaev, Gulnur Satylganova, and
Zere Asylbek. Kyrgyz writer and musician Elmirbek Imanaliyev died in April 2020.[4]
During the Soviet rule, Kyrgyz music and performance arts has incorporated many Western genres and influences. The
Kyrgyz State Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Abdylas Maldybayev [
ru] was established in 1926. Kyrgyz composers created numerous operas and music for ballet performances.
Contemporary music
Rock and metal music is popular in Kyrgyzstan.
Darkestrah is a well-known metal band from
Bishkek, now based in
Germany. Their music combines traditional Kyrgyz folk music with
black metal. There is also a new pop genre called Z-Pop which influenced mainly by
K-Pop and western pop music.
Gallery
Cultural depictions of the Music of Kyrgyzstan
Soviet postage stamp depicting traditional Kyrgyz musical instruments
The back of the Kyrgyz 1 Som banknote shows some traditional instruments, including a
komuz (centre)
A traditional Kyrgyz manaschi performing part of the epic poem
References
^
abBroughton, Simon and Sultanova, Razia. "Bards of the Golden Road". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 2: Latin & North America, Caribbean, India, Asia and Pacific, pp 24-31. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books.
ISBN1-85828-636-0
^"Almaty or Bust". Central Asia in Words and Pictures. Archived from
the original on November 6, 2005. Retrieved September 27, 2005.