Kumuzi art of Kirgiz nationality

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: kumuzi art of Kirgiz nationality

Applicant: Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Item No.: 632

Project No.: Ⅱ - 133

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: Traditional Music

Region: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Type: new item

Applicant: Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Protection unit: Manas research center of Aheqi County

Kumuzi art of Kirgiz nationality

Applicant: Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Kumuzi is a unique ancient plucked musical instrument of Kirgiz nationality, which is mainly spread in the Kirgiz inhabited areas of Wuqia County, AHEQI county and aketao County of Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Kumuzi is a Kirgiz language, which means "beautiful musical instrument". Kumuzi has a long history. In ancient times, there was a saying that "without kumuzi Qin to participate in ensemble music, it can't be Kirgiz music". It is said that as early as the Tang Dynasty, the Kirgiz people offered kumzi as a tribute to the Tang Dynasty. This shows its position in Kirgiz music.

Kumuzi is a kind of three string plucked instrument. It is made of wood, about one meter long. Its box is slightly flat, pear shaped, and has a slender neck. In ancient times, sheep intestines were used as strings, but in modern times, silk strings were used instead, and the stringed instruments were juxtaposed on one side. According to the performance form, kumuzi can be divided into solo, duet, duet, ensemble, accompaniment and so on. According to the performance content and state, kumuzi can be divided into music performance, impromptu performance and rap performance. Its playing tone has harmonious and rich artistic characteristics, and its style is changeable, which can produce a variety of variants. Representative works include Nightingale song, woodpecker on pine tree, jujube bay horse, etc.

Kumzi expresses the happiness, anger and sadness of Kirgiz people in a unique way. In the long-term development process, kumzi gradually becomes the representative of Kirgiz national musical instrument, and then becomes the symbol of Kirgiz nationality. The kumuzi Qin accompaniment epic Manas records the evolution and development history of the Kirgiz nationality in the form of art, and has become an extremely important first-hand material for the study of the Kirgiz nationality. Kumuzi is not only the most widely used and the most complete musical instrument of Kirgiz nationality, but also the common traditional musical instrument and music practice of Kirgiz nationality in China and the Kyrgyz Republic. It plays an active role in the inheritance and development of Kirgiz national culture as well as the political, economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

In recent years, many of kumzi's old artists have died of illness and lack of inheritance, resulting in the loss of some of kumzi's unique variant performance skills, which can not be regenerated and made up for. In order to make this excellent folk art continue to exist and develop, it is necessary to take protective measures seriously and carry out rescue work as soon as possible.