It is surely one of the most renowned Mongolian traditions worldwide: khoomii, or throat singing, was even inscribed in UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. This art born from the steppes and nomadic peoples has gained in popularity and professionalism in recent years, attracting more and more young Mongolians passionate about their culture and country, in search of international acclaim. You may well have the chance to hear it during your trip to Mongolia.

What is throat singing?

Khoomii, a word that literally means pharynx, is a traditional singing technique that consists of singing simultaneously with two voices, a constant low drone and with changing harmonies above. To do this, one must use and compress all vocal organs simultaneously, and change the tonalities by modifying the position of the lips and tongue.

Khoomii is believed to have originated in the Altai mountains, as an imitation of sounds from nature: the trickling of water, the sounds of wind, the cries of animals... While it is today practised by several nationalities, it remains most widespread in Mongolia. There are several varieties of the singing, depending on the technique and the vocal organ used.

Khoomii was traditionally performed a cappella, that is to say without instrumental accompaniment. It was sung in the meadows, pasturelands and steppes, mainly as entertainment for the life of nomads: at night inside the yurt, during the day among the herds, to lull children to sleep... Large family celebrations also gave rise to khoomii singing.

Khoomii was then reserved for men, who were not only musicians, but bearers of Mongolian values and expertise: a good singer had to be humble and honest, strong, a good horseman and wrestler.

Singing was an important part of the life and culture of nomadic Mongols, as described by Louis Kervyn in Mongolian Customs and Manners: « Another characteristic trait of our nomads is their attraction and love for singing. One would be tempted to believe that the Mongol is born a musician. A simple and good-natured people, he adores singing. He sings as he breathes, instinctively and at any moment, on the great roads and in the felt yurts. »

From nomads to professionals

The art of throat singing in Mongolia was passed down from generation to generation as a banal element of nomadic life. Young Mongols imitated their elders when they found themselves all together, for example during seasonal migrations or caravans. They took no formal lessons and had no exercises, for instance, to learn the technique. Children listened to the musicians and repeated after them, until they found their own voice.

Since then, the teaching of khoomii has changed considerably. With a policy of promoting Mongolian culture, khoomii has become a symbol of Mongolia, performed abroad and on national stages alike. It has become a professional art, with proper teaching in schools and conservatoires.

If young Mongols once learned from their relatives by imitating them, they now take khoomii lessons from masters. These masters have developed learning methods, with exercises (both vocal and physical), and mandatory piano accompaniment.

The art of khoomii has also opened to women since the 1990s.

Marion Biremon