Soul of the Mongolian Horseman | Full Documentary | SLICE

[Music] [Music] the steppes of Mongolia in the heart of Central Asia sometimes echo in the haunting sound of music that reaches into the hearts of animals and men [Music] [Music] [Music] so you don't think that you see oh you tell it will be okay water you know the fiddle and the horse are linked linked by their souls we all got this your horse heard the song of my instrument I'll get better now medicines that are afraid that the whole world that you think you thinking you want that I can tell he's starting to wake up I hope you can join the other horses soon the Mongolian nomads have attributed magical powers to this instrument since ancient times in the hands of the shaman's it has even made animals cry it's called the Mauryan cool or horse head fiddle it's an ethnological treasure but an endangered one in 2003 UNESCO proclaimed it an intangible Heritage of Humanity the lives of the nomads haven't changed much but the music of the Horsehead fiddle has been dying out only a few elders can still teach its unique beat call it you know things just be you want a very similar cetera but Bora four children have gathered in Oita and Amber's yet to learn about this heritage they're the first in a very long time to learn how to play the marine corps according to the traditional ways of the nomads Amba has this knowledge which has always been transmitted orally without any written notation UNESCO chose her to conduct this rescue mission with the children [Music] [Music] the four young students live in the nearby town of Wollongong they're staying with Amba and odo a nomad family to learn about the steppe this untamed nature that has produced the sounds of the Horsehead fiddle for centuries [Music] is that Hoss hair yes it's awesome do you want to know why I'll tell you the story a very long time ago the king sent a warrior out to conquer new lands his name was not open again was courageous with one victory after another he reached a distant Kingdom where he fell in love with the princess the years passed and he was happy but one day the King summoned him back the princess gave him the kingdom's most valuable steed a winged horse every night kocoum girl mounted his horse and flew to the distant kingdom to be with his princess returning early in the morning one day however an evil neighbor discovered the powers of his marvellous horse wildly jealous she cut its wings and the horse died kocoum Gale discovered the lifeless body of his beloved companion overcome with sadness he wept for a long time he knew he would never see his princess again he fashioned a marvelous fiddle from the horse's skin bones mane and tail this fiddle would immortalize the memory of his two lost loves the magic horse and his beloved princess [Music] in Mongolia a land with as many horses as people the lives of the nomadic herders revolve around the seasons and lives of their animals during the harsh winter the horses roam free in the mountains in the early days of spring orito rounds up the animals scattered among the last snow fields to bring them back to camp [Music] it's a time for reestablishing the link between the men and animals for returning to a domestic rhythm for breaking in the horses the Sun has returned life is reborn but summer will be short the men and animals are bursting with energy hotel uses this time to inspect each horse in his herd he calculates how many are missing which ones aren't well the promising cults he has to train the future steeds whose energy he has to channel boy toe and his family used the rough methods of their ancestors to corral these animals high-spirited after months of freedom it may have been here several millennia ago that man first attempted to break in a horse creating for this first time the intimate relationship that far exceeds domination a link of complicity of comprehension of friendship today they're cutting the Mane's of the young horses this ritual gesture echoes the first haircut boys get when they turn five an age when they no longer have to resemble girls to escape the evil eye of malicious spirits the animals are branded and become part of the family for the city children the intimate link between the nomads and their horses is a new discovery immersed in this world in direct contact with nature the four young musicians are filled with the sounds and spirit of the Horsehead fiddle [Music] in his workshop Sagan transmits the secrets of crafting Horsehead fiddles to his grandson Tom doll saggin is 12 years old he start his his apprenticeship several months ago in the legend of Coco Namgyal the Horsehead fiddle was created from the body of the dead animal the tibia form the neck its skin stretched over the sound box created the tone again is one of the few craftsmen who still makes the marine corps according to the traditional nomadic methods but his instruments are made of wood as they are throughout Mongolia three types of wood are used soft larch for the sound box and harder birch and oak for the neck and the tuning pegs like a puzzle the Marine Corps takes shape in the hands of the craftsmen and his apprentice most of the pieces of the instrument when not done this is the bridge from range luck is very important to our community in general it determines the sound it's very important so I'm good these are the tuning pegs UV beam of the course which they they have to be tapered and yet so if it doesn't fit well you can move this push it him to block so here we have the body and here's the neck and then of course you have the bridge here the other thing when a young Tom doll séguin is learning to carve the head placed at the top of the neck it's much more than a mere decorative element it's the link that binds the instrument and the animal together draw the main like a wave carve the eyebrows nicely yeah that's good [Music] [Music] today Amba has a guest from ulaanbataar Sonoma Gordon bat is traveling throughout his country on behalf of the UNESCO intangible heritage section to find people who can still transmit their knowledge of the ancient music here is an award from UNESCO for the Marine Corps Masters on behalf of the National Commission for Mongolian heritage and now I decorate with this medal awarded to the best musicians the Marine Corps is Mongolia National Instruments but during the Soviet era it was confined to concert halls today UNESCO recognizes Amba for safeguarding the music with her young students she has rekindled the flame of the tradition that had nearly disappeared the dialog between the horse [Music] [Music] [Music] people say that the morin khuur can reproduce the voices of all the animals and all the sounds of nature a rustling leaf a creaking branch water lapping over stones and wind blowing in the grasslands for the nomads these sounds of nature also those of the spirits the young students head into the forest with Amba to learn this unknown language [Music] in I learned the tradition from my ancestors and now it's my turn to transmit it to you listen to the sounds of nature your song of a stream the water flowing over the rocks waterfalls all of these sounds Maurine cool you came here by home is the sound of its gallant [Music] an eagle in flight do you remember how this bird flies imagine [Music] did you recognize it now we want to test a few key music carries you away doesn't you dance just proficient stereo first it's important to understand that the music must flow from your instruments like a river good answer I'm going to play a piece you know well proud man [Music] under the spell of Ombuds instrument the children are transported by the big way this ancient dance combines the sounds and movements of animals with the everyday tasks of the nomads churning the butter breaking in the spirited horse a slow stride of a camel braiding ropes [Music] [Music] [Music] the children are concentrated absorbed in the dance here's the camel Placid and slow [Music] I would like your soul to rise through the music thank you thank you for listening to me it's early spring and the nights in the steppe are still glacial the Nomad children know they have to bring the lands and kids into the yurt every night to shelter them from the cold the young students are a bit hesitant but they learn how to do these tasks too [Music] stop bouncing around the question and it's me menses Baba driving mrs. diamond [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] so no mutant bad the end boy from Ulaanbaatar visits Sagan the instrument maker are you doing well this season yes I'm here on behalf of UNESCO our students need morning crews for the performances do you have time to help us yes of course I still make them for clients look his mind I made it about 10 years ago I still get orders from time to time not always from musicians it's fairly rare but some people want to replace the family fiddle they've lost the morin khuur held a place of honor in the traditional life of the nomads there was one in every year every visitor was asked to play or if he didn't play to touch it to attract the benevolence of the spirits today for the first time in many years según has been asked to practice his craft for the benefit of young musicians listen to me now to make a modern core you have to choose the right date the astral calendar and do the necessary calculations to avoid unlucky days ever since I started making instruments this is how I've determined the day to get wood from the forest tomorrow is a good day we'll leave at dawn for the mountain [Music] again and his young apprentice climb up to the large trees to find the wood for their future instrument they choose the tree to chop down carefully for the mongolians man and the plant world belonged to the same fragile structure of nature which also includes the stones and animals the living and the dead [Music] so again knots the blue Buddhists cut AG around the trunk of the cut trees and recites the shaman's prayer in Tama they are identified by and I came back not doing this the secret ditch between them to go to Jennifer sorry [Music] before starting the Marine Corps Seguin makes peace with the spirits of the water mountains fire and earth this way he believes the forces of nature will watch over the Horsehead fiddle and over those who played being hidden [Music] Ingrid's to me quite a cluster you didn't lose it [Music] Orbis today oh yeah but they needed [Music] perfect I'll buy [Music] [Music] the students are making progress the performance is getting closer Alton's eggs egg the director of the oolong gong music school visits the young musicians thanks eggs egg has come to work with Amba to prepare the dances and music the children will perform in the Municipal Theater the young actors and musicians discover their costumes made of bright colors and silk cloth the golden yellow the color of the monk's robe is for Ganz Uruk softer and her friend Tunga will wear an entire bridal outfit and baya where's the traditional outfit of all the steppe nomads a loose coat lynched at the waist by a bright belt this coat called a Dell doesn't restrict their movements on horse Packers they're common throughout all of Mongolia sometimes worn over a pair of jeans or a fleece jacket by pants to dish dip the girls and boys wearing their new costumes improvise a rehearsal swaying with the movements of the dance they're polishing up the dances putting the final touches on the costumes I don't mean to not each piece of fabric has a purpose this is the cloth for the dishes this one is for the house this is for sweat adults have a a small pocket to carry your sewing these costumes they have existed for a very long time I can remember my mother where to stay in time when you dance to the bill concentrate as if you were saying I really laugh antastic horse I taught you to ride horses the grandmother taught you to play the Maureen chord you'll be ready soon I'm going to alter the costumes and get them back to you get yourselves ready for the concerts a step down moist and Semiramis to all the heritage and the region will be there to watch you dance and plan which is too much sound please be ready for the concert third [Music] [Music] several legends tell of the birth at the marine corps in one of them the instrument was created from the music the wind mix when it whipped sources tale the strings of the early instruments were always made of horsehair 120 strands for the lower string and 80 for the higher today most of the strings are synthetic butts again remains true to tradition and returns to OE toes heard to obtain the raw materials he needs [Music] Sagan's choice a racehorse is prepared with cares a bowl of Iraq fermented horse's milk is offered up to the spirit of the horse so again selects a handful of horse hair checks the length and Yanks it out swiftly soon this living material will transmit the horses energy to the fiddle you know they all were looking to coordinate Johnson jostle you know it's not just any horse it has to be hair from a handsome racehorse we then have to clean it and select the strands one by one so they're all the same thickness but like this you know I think it look honey you better touch it aha ordained therein tonight and hadn't have been between considerations they're good that's all I still need it thank you for giving it to me goodbye thank you [Music] you know things this horsehair is for the bow must be very clean it's almost done it's clean you see look at this one so then this one is clean and ready to use to the Dashwood we can attach it to the instruments now it's almost done Jill do you understand the process it has to be cleaned or washing then stretched yes and then smooth bring me the incident ended at the Adam was just huge it's embed Diesel's interlace the horsehair like this you see like that no just Nick Joe there's one last thing to do you know didn't all your strings have to be coated with resin once the two strings are stretched tightly the instrument is ready it just has to be baptized [Music] they know that was a horse named annuity when I play an instrument for the first time I give it a soul a modern core must have a key more in the energy and power of a horse [Music] [Music] the time has come to give the more in cause to their new owners this morning's again sets out for Amber's yurt to deliver the four instruments riding over the light snow that fell in the night [Music] as an offering the violins are wrapped in a blue scarf which protects the musicians and brings the Malak [Music] [Music] I have come to give you the for modern course ordered by UNESCO I made them for you wonderful wonderful thank you so much it's a very valuable gift to his days this instrument has become rare magnificent thank you UNESCO protects traditions and cultures the modern core and the long mongolian songs are recognized as a world heritage by phonics singing and the Bilger dance may soon also be classified you know the strong and the bridge has its shape or a stronger tone yes Kirishima in the hired woman in Tehran in Susan [Music] [Music] [Music] the big day has finally come for the impatient children a minivan picks them up to take them to their town Wollongong where the concert is scheduled [Music] [Music] ganz Erick Aaron bhaiya softer and Tonga the four musicians are back in their City after living close to nature for several months they see it in a new way they have returned from their stay with the nomads of the steppe with an instrument straight from the past and some knowledge that may help the voice of the Marine Corps survive for some time still in this rapidly changing society a few hours before the performance the children arrive in front of the imposing Soviet style theater [Music] there are a few adults with a Ito in the audience but mostly lots of children this is a special performance thanks to Amba for the first time these kids will hear a melody saved from oblivion there are a few final touches backstage it's Carl the children's faces look intent they're looking forward to the show [Music] [Music] on stage Tunga and ed and by our side-by-side as when they were playing near oh he tows Hewitt [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] today thanks to the Horsehead fiddle and the b-league way a link has been created between the voices of nature and these city children it's a link from the past transmitted by the nomads a link that's still fragile but holds promise for the future poet oh bombuh and their families are returning home across the immense steppe strapped to the leading camel the Maureen corps travels with them as they migrate just as during Genghis Khan's time but behind her Amba has planted a seed in a small village in western mongolia young musicians are prepared to nurture the knowledge she has transmitted to them so that the voice of the Horsehead fiddle will not fall silent a haunting voice the expression of an intimate unique link between a sublime nature and all those who share it mankind animals and spirits you [Music] you

Channel: SLICE

Views: 278,215

Rating: 4.8706698 out of 5

Keywords: documentary, documentaries, shortdoc, shortdocs, slice, slicedocs, mongolian, horseman, morin khuur, tradition, music, tradistrional song, asia, nature, children, sacred, sacred dance, art, ethnography, full documentary, free documentary, culture

Id: _KKTWIY1Xv4

Length: 50min 3sec (3003 seconds)

Published: Sun Jun 21 2020