A pastoral performance
Theaters and grassland both stages for music group, Deng Zhangyu reports.
Among the band members is singer Bulga, 25, who joined four years ago. He specializes in the long song, urtiin duu in Mongolian, a UNESCO-recognized art form characterized by its extended, ornamented vocals. This unique genre is an integral part of ethnic Mongolian cultural heritage and is often performed at important events, celebrations and festivals.
Growing up in Subei, he was drawn to the haunting beauty of the long song. He has studied the intangible cultural heritage intensely and sought out older generations to learn from, with the aim of preserving and promoting his ethnic music.
"I notice that not many younger people are familiar with the long song and prefer pop music instead. I feel it is my responsibility to preserve and pass on our ethnic music," says the 25-year-old.
As a child, Bulga often watched Ulan Muqir troupes' performances. Now, he is a proud member of the troupe.
He and his troupe frequently travels for several days by bus to perform in remote pastoral areas. Each performance lasts from one to several hours.
Sometimes, after their performances, he enjoys horseback riding, wrestling, and archery with the enthusiastic herders.
"Although the journey is quite exhausting, all my worries and fatigue disappear as soon as I arrive on the grasslands. The people are warm and hospitable. We often organize a tug-of-war competition together, which is fantastic," says the singer.
