Tyva Kyzy
Encyclopedia
Tyva Kyzy (Daughters of Tuva) is an all-female folk ensemble performing Tuva
n throat-singing
, under the direction of Choduraa Tumat. It is the first and only women's group in Tuva that performs all styles of Tuvan throat-singing.
's daughter (in the 1940's or 1950s), performed khoomei (throat-singing) in public more than once. The wife of the throat-singing shaman Bilek-ool from Manchurek, Aldinsova Tortoyavna, said that she has always sung khoomei "because it was innate to [her] from birth." She could not resist singing khoomei after she got married and had children, and sang khoomei in public in the 1950s and 1960s. But her sister, who also sang khoomei as a girl, gave up when others repeatedly reminded her of the supposed dangers.
In the Soviet era it was rare for women to perform on stage, except during Republican festivals. Valentina Salchak performed throat-singing in public in 1979. Valentina Chuldum from Mongun-Taiga (1960- Autumn 2002) toured European countries as a throat-singer in the early 1990s. With the start of the International Symposium of Khoomei women could sing publicly there.
Since its inception in 1998, Tyva Kyzy has participated in numerous international festivals of world music in Europe
and Japan
. They also toured the United States
in October 2005. Tyva Kyzy performs the five main styles of khöömei
with traditional female vocal styles. They utilize a range of folk instruments including their own signature instrument the chadagan (similar to the zither
or hammered dulcimer
). Several members perform in the Tuvan National Orchestra
and member Ayana Mongush conducts the orchestra. Their songs are a blend of contemporary and traditional culture, some very old and some written and composed by the group or specifically for them. Tyva Kyzy performs a number of songs, often relating to the life of women, songs of their elders and of the land. They were recognized as the best players of national instruments in the Ustu-Hure Festival in Chadan, Tyva.
Their first CD, "setkilemden sergek yr-dyr"(a cheerful song from my soul) was released in March 2006. Their second CD, "igi unu - iyem unu" (the igils voice - my mothers voice) was released in 2009. Both CDs are available from the Tuva Trader website (see below).
Tuva
The Tyva Republic , or Tuva , is a federal subject of Russia . It lies in the geographical center of Asia, in southern Siberia. The republic borders with the Altai Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Irkutsk Oblast, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russia and with Mongolia to the...
n throat-singing
Overtone singing
Overtone singing, also known as overtone chanting, or harmonic singing, is a type of singing in which the singer manipulates the resonances created as air travels from the lungs, past the vocal folds, and out the lips to produce a melody.The partials of a sound wave made by the human voice can be...
, under the direction of Choduraa Tumat. It is the first and only women's group in Tuva that performs all styles of Tuvan throat-singing.
Background
There were a few female throat-singers in Tuva's history, though it was believed a woman performing throat-singing could hurt her male relatives and cause her difficulties during childbirth. Choldak-Kara Oyun, the mother of the famous throat singer Soruktu Kyrgys and grandmother of the husband of famous Tuvan actress Kara-Kys Namzatovna Munzuk, throat-sang throughout her life while milking her cows, singing lullabies to her children and sometimes while she was drinking Tuvan araga. Close relatives of famous singers, like Khunashtaar-ool's niece (in the 1960s) and KombuKombu
Kombu or konbu , also called dashima or haidai , is edible kelp from the family Laminariaceae widely eaten in East Asia....
's daughter (in the 1940's or 1950s), performed khoomei (throat-singing) in public more than once. The wife of the throat-singing shaman Bilek-ool from Manchurek, Aldinsova Tortoyavna, said that she has always sung khoomei "because it was innate to [her] from birth." She could not resist singing khoomei after she got married and had children, and sang khoomei in public in the 1950s and 1960s. But her sister, who also sang khoomei as a girl, gave up when others repeatedly reminded her of the supposed dangers.
In the Soviet era it was rare for women to perform on stage, except during Republican festivals. Valentina Salchak performed throat-singing in public in 1979. Valentina Chuldum from Mongun-Taiga (1960- Autumn 2002) toured European countries as a throat-singer in the early 1990s. With the start of the International Symposium of Khoomei women could sing publicly there.
Since its inception in 1998, Tyva Kyzy has participated in numerous international festivals of world music in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. They also toured the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in October 2005. Tyva Kyzy performs the five main styles of khöömei
Khoomei
Khoomei , also spelled Xoomii, Xöömei, Xöömej, Khöömei, or Höömey, refers to...
with traditional female vocal styles. They utilize a range of folk instruments including their own signature instrument the chadagan (similar to the zither
Zither
The zither is a musical string instrument, most commonly found in Slovenia, Austria, Hungary citera, northwestern Croatia, the southern regions of Germany, alpine Europe and East Asian cultures, including China...
or hammered dulcimer
Hammered dulcimer
The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. Typically, the hammered dulcimer is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings...
). Several members perform in the Tuvan National Orchestra
Tuvan National Orchestra
The Tuvan National Orchestra reflects the complex history of the Republic of Tuva , a tiny nation which sits at the southern edge of Siberia, with Mongolia to its south. Over the centuries, Tuva has been part of Chinese and Mongolian empires, and shares many cultural ties with Mongolia...
and member Ayana Mongush conducts the orchestra. Their songs are a blend of contemporary and traditional culture, some very old and some written and composed by the group or specifically for them. Tyva Kyzy performs a number of songs, often relating to the life of women, songs of their elders and of the land. They were recognized as the best players of national instruments in the Ustu-Hure Festival in Chadan, Tyva.
Non-musical activities
The group fosters growth, talent, and confidence in women and girls by teaching in Tuvan schools and leading workshops internationally. They aim to strengthen the livelihood of female khöömei and add an important new element and history to the development of Tuvan music. Female khöömei are still considered rare and sometimes controversial in Tuva. Tyva Kyzy is at the forefront of the effort to establish women among the great Tuvan throat singers.Their first CD, "setkilemden sergek yr-dyr"(a cheerful song from my soul) was released in March 2006. Their second CD, "igi unu - iyem unu" (the igils voice - my mothers voice) was released in 2009. Both CDs are available from the Tuva Trader website (see below).