Oirat-Kalmyk Folk Songs: a History of Recording, Investigating and Publishing in Russia and Europe
https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2020-3-529-566
Abstract
Introduction. Oirats of China, Mongolia and Kalmyks of Russia live in three different countries — but share common ethnic ancestry. Oirats of China primarily reside in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Inner Mongolia, and Hara-Muren (Amur River valley). In Mongolia, Oirats traditionally inhabit western provinces, such as Uvs, Khovd, Bayan-Ölgii, Zavkhan, and Khӧvsgӧl. In Russia, Kalmyks live in the Republic of Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast. Some minor Oirat and Kalmyk groups reside in Kyrgyzstan, Europe, and America. Despite being separated by historical eras, state borders and differing cultural-economic conditions, Oirats and Kalmyks still preserve the common vivid tradition of oral poetry largely represented by folk songs. In Russia and Europe, the earliest recordings of Oirat and Kalmyk folk songs were made 260 years ago. Those divide into lingering and short ones: the former serve to celebrate remarkable events, such as rituals, festivities and holidays; the former are usually sung by young people during regular household activities. Goals. The paper seeks to review the history of recording, investigating and publishing Oirat and Kalmyk folk songs. Results. The article analyzes folk songs of Oirats and Kalmyks, setting forth a coherent historical paradigm of theirs in Russia and European countries throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Supporting agencies: The reported study was funded by RFBR and CASS, project no. 19-512-93002 ‘Folklore of Silk Road Peoples: Oirat Mongols of China and Kalmyks of Russia (from Folk Tale to Epic)’. The article was presented at the international scientific online conference “Mongolian Studies at the beginning of the 21st century: Current State and Development Prospects – II”, held with the financial support of RFBR (project № 20-09-22004) and partial support of the Russian Government Grant (№ 075-15-2019-1879).
About the Authors
Danbuerjiafu (Damrinjav) Baljin
Institute of Ethnic Literature, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
FL-11, West Wing, 5 Jiannei Dajie, Beijing 100732, People’s Republic of China
Dr. Sc. (Philology), Professor
Baazr A. Bicheev
Kalmyk Scientific Center of the RAS
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
8, Ilishkin St., Elista 358000, Russian Federation
Dr. Sc. (Philosophy), Leading Research Associate
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Review
For citations:
Baljin D., Bicheev B.A. Oirat-Kalmyk Folk Songs: a History of Recording, Investigating and Publishing in Russia and Europe. Mongolian Studies. 2020;12(3):529-566. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22162/2500-1523-2020-3-529-566
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