Transmitting and stabilizing the folk long song performance technique of Limbe performers - circular breathing - through the old repertoire to the new generations

Financial assistance:
- US$ 99,946 granted in 2018
Dates of implementation:
- 29/01/2019 - 29/01/2022
Documents:
- Request form ICH-04: English|French
- Budget and timetable: English|French
- Progress report: English
- Final report: English

Benefitting country(ies): Mongolia

Overview:

The 36-month project, implemented by the National Center for Cultural Heritage and carried out in three regions, aimed to stabilize and transmit the folk long performance technique of Limbe performers – circular breathing through the old repertoire. The circular breathing technique is considered as a great achievement among nomadic Mongolians and is inseparable from the traditional folk long song. However, there are currently very few Limbe performers compared with those of other instruments, and Limbe performers who have mastered the circular breathing technique are even fewer. There was therefore an urgent need to safeguard the technique along with the traditional repertoire of folk long song melodies. Since the inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2011, the Mongolian government has undertaken several initiatives to safeguard and transmit it, together with community members and related bodies. However, though these initiatives have brought fruitful outcomes, they were still in their first phase. To further strengthen the element, previous safeguarding measures needed to be reinforced and future measures redefined in collaboration with bearers and practitioners. To this end, the project intended to: strengthen and stabilize the practice; document and inventory the old repertoire; train apprentices and strengthen their skills and knowledge of the old repertoire; support the production of Limbe musical instruments; and raise public awareness.

International assistance related to an element inscribed or nominated for the Urgent Safeguarding List:

00543 - Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances - circular breathing (6.COM, inscribed/selected/approuved)

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