Kazakh Dongbula Art

Name of Chinese national intangible cultural heritage: Kazakh Dongbula Art

Applicant: Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Item No.: 631

Project No.: Ⅱ - 132

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Type: new item

Applicant: Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Protection unit: Institute of culture and art of Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture

Introduction to Kazakh Dongbula Art:

Applicant: Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Kazakh Dongbula art is a kind of folk music centered on the ancient Kazakh Folk Musical Instrument Dongbula. It has been spread in Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Urumqi City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture and Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for thousands of years.

The art of Dongbula of Kazak nationality is composed of music, playing and singing music, folk dance music, playing methods and techniques, musical instruments and production technology. It can play and sing by itself and accompany dance. Kazakh people call Dongbula music "dongbulaqui". According to the different music structure and performance techniques, it can be divided into "tokbekuei" (playing music) and "chertekuei" (playing music). The number of "dongbulaqui" is very large. According to statistics, there are thousands of "dongbulaqui" among Kazakh people in Xinjiang. Dongbula music often shows a certain degree of improvisation and creativity when it is played. Before the performance, Dongbula performers have the tradition of telling the story or describing the content of the music.

According to the way of expression, Dongbula's performance can be divided into six categories: "an", "ayetes", "tiermer", "toleos", "Kesa" and "Dastan". Among them, "an" is the performance, "ayetes" is the duet, "tiermer" is the persuasive song, "toleos" is the continuation of the ballad, "Kesa" is the short narrative poem, "Dastan" is the long narrative poem. To interpret these kinds of art in the way of Dongbula playing and singing can achieve good results. Melodious, broad, bright melody, good at playing Kazakh Folk mixed beat, accompaniment, ensemble, solo can be applied freely, is the main feature of Dongbula art. Besides playing and singing, Dongbula is also the main musical instrument of Kazakh Folk dance music. Kazakh Dongbula art has been handed down from generation to generation in the form of oral and psychological instruction.

For thousands of years, Kazakh people have recorded the history, culture, life, belief and other aspects of their own nation in the way of Dongbula playing and singing. Therefore, Dongbula art has become an important spiritual resource and cultural identity medium of Kazakh nation. At present, the process of modernization has a great impact on the spread of the Kazakh Dongbula art. Fewer and fewer people inherit and appreciate Dongbula playing and singing. This precious national art is on the verge of extinction and needs to be protected.