Report on the status of an element inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding
A. Cover sheet
A.1.
State Party
Name of State Party
Mongolia
A.2.
Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession
This information is available online.
Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession
2005-06-29
A.3.
Element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List that is the subject of this report
Name of element
Mongol Biyelgee, Mongolian traditional folk dance
Inscribed in
2009
Submitting State(s)
Mongolia
A.4.
Reporting period covered by this report
Please indicate the period covered by this report.
Reporting period covered by this report
01-01-2018 - 31-12-2021
A.5.
Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any
Please list all other elements from your country inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, together with the year of inscription; for multinational elements, please indicate the other States concerned.
Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any
Coaxing ritual for camels (2015)
Folk long song performance technique of Limbe performances - circular breathing (2011)
Mongol Tuuli, Mongolian epic (2009)
Mongolian calligraphy (2013)
Mongolian traditional practices of worshipping the sacred sites (2017)
Traditional music of the Tsuur (2009)
A.6.
Executive summary of the report
Please provide an executive summary of the report that will allow general readers to understand the current status of the element, any positive or negative impacts of inscription, the implementation of safeguarding measures during the reporting period and their possible update for the following years.
Executive summary of the report
During the reporting period, research and studies have been done for assessing the present condition, transmission, loss of the “Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance” (further referred to as Bii biyelgee”, and the positive and negative impacts were identified. In addition, formal and non-formal training promotional activities were conducted. Researchers, scholars, and non-governmental organizations are playing a vital role in the safeguarding of Bii Biyelgee besides with the government organizations. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the research, and studies of the Bii biyelgee have carried out in local areas and the result of research gave an important opportunity to assess the current state of the heritage.
Negative impacts still exist, such as practitioners are getting older, traditional settings and apprenticeship training systems disrupted, and the symbolic and semantic meaning of Bii biyelgee has misinterpreted, movements assimilated and came into one style.
Field research was conducted on the Bayad, Dorvod, Khoton ethnic groups of Uvs province based on registration and information database of the National Center for Cultural Heritage. As a result of this research and survey, the manner, style, and form of the movements and musical melody (tatlaga) were documented by audio and video recordings. For instance, 10 melodies or Tatlaga (melody comes from the Ikhel musical instrument) were documented in association with Biyelgee, and 23 variations of Bii Biyelgee were documented from 5 practitioners. As a result of the research, a total of 21 hours of video recording has done and 1 hour 30 minutes of documentary film was made from the audio and video recordings of the field research associated with the transmission, loss of Bii Biyelgee and its myth and rituals, and broadcasted by Mongolian National Broadcasting.
The number of practitioners and apprentices is increasing as a result of the formal and non-formal training expanded in the local areas and Ulaanbaatar city within the period of the report. As a result of local, regional, and national naadams, festivals and competitions, practitioners' and apprentices’ skills and repertoire were enriched. As a result of the promoting and supporting activities dedicated to practitioners of Bii biyelgee, their social value has increased. J.Khumbaa, a practitioner of Bayad Bii biyelgee from the Malchin soum of Uvs province has been selected as the “Most talented practitioner of 2020” and rewarded 30 million MNT.
Interest and initiative among youths to learn, study and research the Bii biyelgee and performing arts in a modern style have increased and the activities of non-governmental organizations and associations aimed at safeguarding the traditions of traditional dance have expanded, and online performances have been organized. Bii biyelgee has become one of the interesting performances in everyday life of Mongolians, foreign and domestic tourists, researchers, and TV shows. For instance, the Ministry of Culture (old name Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia), the Government implementing agency Culture and Art Authority, and cultural organizations 21 provinces and Ulaanbaatar city have jointly organized the intangible cultural heritage festival “Nomadic Mongolia-2018”. In addition, the festival “Naariich, biiliich” (Come, let’s dance or let’s do Bii Biyelgee) organized in Khovd province, “Ikhelch, biich” online competition, “Naariich, biiliich” online competition by “Agsal Khulai” center.
School of Dance Arts in Mongolian National University of Arts and Culture and “Mongol HD” TV have jointly made 6 series of documentary programs between 2018 and 2021. As for including, Bayad, Dorvod, Zakhchin, Khoton, Torguud, and Uriankhai Bii biyelgee. Dance scholar Sh.Erdenetsetseg and Ts.Tsolmon has jointly mad0e 1hour TV program about the Bii Biyelgee in January of 2021 and broadcasted through Mongolian National Broadcasting.
A.7.
Contact person for correspondence
Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.
Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)
Ms
Family name
Tserendorj
Given name
Tsolmon
Institution/position
Coordination Officer for Policy Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage Department of Cultural Heritage Ministry of Culture
Address
Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, Sukhbaatar district, 7th sub-district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Telephone number
+976 51-265617; +976 99057308
E-mail address
tsolmon@moc.gov.mn
Other relevant information
B
Ms
B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List
Refer to the nomination file or to previous reports, if any, as the basis for reporting on the current status of the element, and report only on relevant changes since the date of inscription on the List or since the previous report. Nomination files, specific timetables and earlier reports, if any, are available at https://ich.unesco.org or from the Secretariat, upon request.
The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report, and is asked to describe how it has done so in point D below.
B.1.
Social and cultural functions
Please explain the social and cultural functions and meanings of the element today, within and for its community, the characteristics of the bearers and practitioners, and any specific roles or categories of persons with special responsibilities towards the element, among others. Attention should be given to any relevant changes related to inscription criterion U.1 (‘the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention’).
Social and cultural functions
The role and significance of the dance Bii Biyelgee in the present society and culture are being stabilized and improved by the books, documentaries, TV programs, digital content, online training, and apprenticeship training on this heritage element done by the governmental and non-governmental organizations, scholars, and practitioners who are working for safeguarding this heritage element. Bii Biyelgee practitioners have their own specific characteristics that are reflected from, environmental effects from nature and geography where they are living, the origin of their family/clan, and the social and historical lived experience of history. The Bii Biyelgee practice has been practiced among the people of Khovd, Uvs, and Bayan-Ulgii provinces in western Mongolia. Bii Biyelgee does not only belong to performance art, but also covers a wide range of knowledge associated with the universe, traditional custom, festivities, religion, and traditional craftsmanship of Mongolians, therefore its practitioner is not the only performer of folk dance but also the bearer of diverse culture and knowledge. As a result of the field research, a total 54 including 44 unique/unrepeatable variations of Bii Biyelgee have identified, and as practitioners of Bii Biyelgee, they obliged to transmit their skill, knowledge, story, and narratives associated with Bii Biyelgee to another generation as its original version. Mongolian people mostly dance Biyelgee while enjoying the wedding, Naadam, festive events of family and community, worshipping rituals of Ovoo, and rituals associated with animals. When practitioners perform the Bii Biyelgee, they wear traditional costumes and accessories that express uniqueness of each ethnic group. It is impossible to imagine the Bii Biyelgee without a musical instrument. Bii Biyelgee becomes a complete when practitioner improvised the movements in association with musical instruments including Ikhel, Tovshuur, Tsuur, Tsuur, and Yatga. Nowadays, the traditions of performing Bii Biyelgee with Ikhel and Tovshuur in Oirad Mongols, with Tsuur and Ikhel in Altai Uriankhains, with Tovshuur /shanz/ in Torguud are being practiced. All of this demonstrates the role and importance of performance in today's society and culture, as well as being a cornerstone of the cultural heritage of the community concerned and an integral part of their daily lives. The traditional folk dance Bii Biyelgee is an inseparable connection with the custom, psychology, language, and culture of Mongolians, and it supports and creates a pleased and satisfying life, and also being one of the important conditions and positive factors in the harmonious life and developing sustainably. Symbolizing the best part of the human relationship to others is the main objective of the folk dance Bii Biyelgee and it well suits the main concepts of human rights declaration, the concept of respectfulness between humankind, and also the sustainable development goals. Bii Biyelgee became the originality and model of the Mongol dance within its transmission to today, and is being developed as a living culture and playing important role in the protection of world cultural diversity.
B.2.
Assessment of its viability and current risks
Please describe the current level of viability of the element, particularly the frequency and extent of its practice, the strength of traditional modes of transmission, the demographics of practitioners and audiences and its sustainability. Please also identify and describe the threats, if any, to the element's continued transmission and enactment and describe the severity and immediacy of such threats, giving particular attention to any strengthening or weakening of the element’s viability subsequent to inscription.
Assessment of its viability and current risks
After the implementation of the national project “Mongolian traditional folk dance-Bii Biyelgee”, and the inscription on the UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, a number of chances came to transmit, disseminate, and to make research for this element, and brought numerous positive influences came in the viability of the “Bii Biyelgee”. The interest to study and learn the Mongolian traditional folk dance Biyelgee is growing among the younger generation and public support is increasing. In this sense, the traditional art of Mongolian dance can be included in the list of redeeming the risk of extinction, but there are also issues to consider. As for including:
1. Globalization: Young generations are following the foreign cultures as a result of rapid globalization, and multi-cultural effect /movies, different celebrations and festivities, effects of different religions/; and do believe that traditional cultural elements are outdated; the world and country's socio-cultural environment is being standardized and so on.
2. Migration: Since 1990, the migration from a rural area to urban has been extremely intense, due to this practitioner of Bii Biyelgee have dispersed. Additionally, the traditional setting of Bii Biyelgee has changed.
3. Training: Although the transmission of Bii Biyelgee is being performed by the training /practitioner and apprentice/ in a certain level, the tradition of this element is still being under the risk of disappearance due to the aging of practitioners and decreases of practitioners from year to year. Although, there are 396 practitioners have registered and inventoried in the Registration and information state database of intangible cultural heritage, very few of them are practicing the traditional way of performing Bii Biyelgee. There is a high risk of assimilation and standardization can be happened in unique rhythm, movement, characteristic, symbolism, and other rituals associated with Bii Biyelgee of different ethnic groups. By the 475th Resolution of the Government of Mongolia in 2019, the “National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage Practitioners” was approved with 102 practitioners. 10 of these 102 are practitioners of Bii biyelgee, unfortunately during this reporting period, one person died. Therefore, it is very urgent to conduct research and documentation for this heritage element.
4. Commercialization: Traditional way of performing Bii Biyelgee is being lost due to the tendency to use this folk dance as a form of entertainment to attract tourists rather than to safeguard, and dance training centers are using it for their survival. It is necessary to put back and strengthen its traditional use in the original setting such as various celebrations, rituals associated with nomadic living style besides with on-stage promotion. It is obvious that the changes and developments can happen to the intangible cultural heritage elements in this era of globalization, but the traditions cannot be ignored.
It is still demanding to safeguard the traditional dance in its traditional setting, repertoire, training, and forms, besides developing with innovation. In addition, it is important to bring appropriate conditions where the folk performing arts and professional arts can exist parallel.
B.3.
Implementation of safeguarding measures
Please report on the safeguarding measures described in the nomination file, and previous report, if any. Describe how they have been implemented and how they have substantially contributed to the safeguarding of the element during the reporting period, taking note of external or internal constraints such as limited resources. Include, in particular, information on the measures taken to ensure the viability of the element by enabling the community to continue to practise and transmit it. Include the following detailed information concerning the implementation of the set of safeguarding measures or safeguarding plan:
B.3.a.
Objectives and results
Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.
Objectives and results
During this reporting period 2018-2021, the following objectives were set to safeguard the “Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance”:
Objectives were:
- To enhance the legal environment for the preservation and safeguarding of the Mongol Biyelgee;
- To study, research and safeguard the Mongol Biyelgee;
- To expand the formal and non-formal training of Biyelgee for transmitting to youths;
- To support and promote practitioners of Biyelgee
- To raise awareness of general public on Biyelgee and increase involvement of general public in the safeguarding
- To make preparation for transfer from the List of Intangible cultural heritage in Need of Urgent safeguarding to Representation list of Intangible cultural heritage of Humanity.
-
- Results:
- Between 2018 and 2020, the School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts has done 3 times fieldworks for Bii Biyelgee and documented realizations of Biyelgee by audio and video.
- Formal training on Biyelgee is being developed on the School of Dance in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts on basis of practice and style of the practitioners of this dance.
- 10 melodies or Tatlaga (melody comes from the Ikhel musical instrument) were documented in associated with Biyelgee.
- Online training on Biyelgee have organized in 2020.
- Preparation to establish the folk ensemble of “Ikhel and Biyelgee” has started in Uvs province.
As a result of safeguarding measures, as of 2020, there are total of 396 practitioners and apprentices registered in the State registration and information database of cultural heritage.
- Registration database regularly updated both on Bii biyelgee dance types and practitioners, and the catalog has published.
- Practitioners and apprentices’ skill and repertoire enriched as a result of local, regional, and national naadams, festivals and competitions.
- In 2018, the Governing Administration of Khovd province has successfully organized the 2nd competition for Bii Biyelgee. Over 300 practitioners, apprentices and amateurs participated in this competition. Practitioners of Dorvod, Zakhchin, Torguud, Oold, Uriankhai, and Tuva Biyelgee practitioners participated in this competition. On the one hand, this was a local initiative done, on the other hand, it was the biggest safeguarding measure for Bii biyelgee.
- A total of 8 series of TV programs on the myth, history and semantic, and symbolism of Biyelgee have been broadcast through media between 2018 and 2021.
- Involvement and initiative of practitioners, local communities, local governing administrations, and the general public have increased in the safeguarding and transmission of Bii Biyelgee. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the safeguarding activities are not reach organized wide and reach for many.
- Through the promotional activities, the reputation and social value associated with Bii biyelgee practitioners have increased. On the one hand, these safeguarding measures prove that the viability of this heritage element has enhanced already and it is no more in danger of extinction. On the other hand, the risks mentioned in B2 are still being a challenge.
B.3.b.
Safeguarding activities
List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.
Safeguarding activities
1.In the framework of enhancing the legal environment
-The Government of Mongolia has approved and implemented the “Regulation on awarding monetary rewards to practitioners who have made significant contributions to the promotion and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage” by the Resolution No. 354 of 2018.
In July 2021, the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage amended with following provisions related to regulations:
-14.1.10. Safeguard and restore the authenticity and integrity of historical and cultural immovable monuments listed in the World Heritage’s Tentative List and the World Heritage List, and to allocate the state budget annually to implement the measures on protecting and strengthening the viability of intangible cultural heritage listed in the UNESCO List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding and the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity”. This amendment shall be enforced from 2022.
2.Transmitting Biyelgee for youths:
-Between 2018-2021, practitioner J.Khumbaa taught the Bayad biyelgee for over 200 children and pupils. She transmits the not only dance but also traditional custom, ritual and games of Bayad ethnic.
-Between 2018-2021, N.Burmaa, a practitioner of Torguud bii biyelgee has organized 5 times apprenticeship training and taught for 83 persons.
-Between 2018-2021, G.Bayartai practitioner of Bii biyelgee has taught 6 ethnic group’s 10 types of Biyelgee to 376 persons.
-Bii Biyelgee is being taught in the School of Dance Arts at National University of Mongolia by the school “Mongolian traditional dance class” by Mongolian State Honored Artist and professor D.Nanjid. Students graduated from this school is disseminating the knowledge about the Bii biyelgee in all around the country. Between 2018-2021, a total of 178 students graduated.
-On basis of NGOs, associations, local cultural and art organizations, secondary schools, and kindergartens, the non-formal or apprenticeship training of Bii biyelgee is being conducted by practitioners throughout the countries. Elder practitioners who have high skills of Bii biyelgee are involved in this work by trainers and teenagers and voluntary participants are involved who want to learn.
-By the support of the Ministry of Culture, the center “Baruun Mongoliin Uran Manlai ” has organized the project “Cultural heritage of Ikhel” and trained 38 persons from 19 soums of Uvs province. Participants were learnt from both practitioners of Bii Biyelgee and practitioner of Ikhel.
3.For the research and studies:
-In July 2018, the School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts has done field research in Eznee khoshuu of Alshaa province in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the PRC for studying the present situation, types, and transformation of the Bii Biyelgee of Torguud and made audio and video documentation. As a result of this research, a total of 16 hours of video data was collected, and 45 minutes of the documentary film broadcasted by MNB.
-In December 2019, comparative research and studies has done on the horse dance and Savkhan dance of Ordos ethnic in Uushin region of Ordos province of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in People’s Republic of China. As result of this work, 12 hours video recording has done and a half hour documentary film has done and broadcasted through MNB.
-In July 2020, the School of Culture in the National University of Culture and Arts and the National Center for Cultural Heritage have jointly conducted a field survey in Bayad, Dorvod, Khoton ethnic groups of Uvs province based on registration and information database. As a result of this research and survey, the manner, style and form of the movements and musical melody (tatlaga) documented by audio and video recordings. For instance, 10 melodies or Tatlaga and 23 variations of Bii Biyelgee were documented from 5 practitioners. As a result of the research, 1 hour 30 minutes documentary film was made.
4.Promoting and raising awareness of public:
-“Oirad tumen” festival is organized every July in Uvs province,
-“Bii biylgee” competition is organized annually in Nalaikh district, Ulaanbaatar city,
-“Festival of Bii biyelgee” organized in 2018 at Khovd province,
-“Nomadic Mongolia” grand festival of ICH organized in August of 2018 at Ulaanbaatar city.142 practitioners of Bii Biyelgee participated.
-In July 2018, the “Mongolian Cultural Festival” was organized by the Culture and Arts Agency of Ulaanbaatar city and participants were from Alshaa province in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the PRC, Republic of Kalmykia, Republic of Tuva, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russian Federation.
-In June 2019 the children’s group from “Agsal Khulai” NGO has got 3rd place of the “Asia Folk-2019” festival by folk performing arts competition.
-In January 2019 “Naariich biiliich” festival has organized at Bulgan soum of Khovd province,
-In July 2021 online competition “Ikhelch and biich” has organized by “Baruun Mongolyn Uran Manlai Tov” NGO and a total of 44 participants participated.
-In October 2021 team of the program “Cultural Heritage” in MNB traveled to Uvs province and made 2 series of TV programs regarding the Bii Biyelgee and ikhel and broadcasted to the public.
-In November 2021, the training center “Agsal Khulai” has organized the online competition “Naariich, biiliich” and over 50 participants participated in the competition.
-In December 2021, by the support of the Ministry of Culture, Mongolia the third ethno modern dance performance “White Vertical Triangle” has performed on stage.
-Between 2018 and 2021, researchers Sh.Erdenetsetseg, Ts.Tsolmon, N.Magsarjav, M.Munguntsetseg, Ch.Palamjav, D.Bayarbaatar, J.Erdenekhorloo were attended more that 10 TV programs and talked about the myth, historic background and semantic meaning of Bii biyelgee.
-“Dance art” research, training and art magazine has been published biennially, since 2015.
-In 2018, the encyclopedia “Dance” has published.
-In 2020, the encyclopedia “Cultural Heritage” published,
-A total of 9 research articles were discussed in the international and national research conferences.
5.For supporting and promoting practitioners:
-J.Khumbaa, a practitioner of Bayad Bii biyelgee has been selected as the “Most talented practitioner of 2020” and rewarded 30 million MNT in accordance with the “Procedure for awarding monetary prizes to heritage practitioners who have made a significant contribution to the promotion and dissemination of intangible cultural heritage at the national and global levels”.
B.3.c.
Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities
Describe how communities, groups or, if appropriate, individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have effectively participated, including in terms of gender roles, in the safeguarding measures. Describe the role of the implementing organization or body (name, background, etc.) and the human resources that were available for implementing safeguarding activities.
Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities
The Ministry of Culture, Mongolia has paid continuous effort in the enhancement and development of the policy documents for safeguarding of this heritage element and the National Center for Cultural Heritage has regularly updated the registration and inventorying of the heritage besides with safeguarding measures. In addition, government and non-governmental organizations in Khovd, Bayan-Olgii and Uvs provinces and Ulaanbaatar city has involved actively in the safeguarding measures in cooperation with practitioners, researchers and scholars of this element.
Article 34 of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage defines for the first time the "rights and duties of intangible cultural heritage practitioners", Article 34.1.1, Section 2 states that the bearer "shall be to receive financial support to protect, transmit, and recreate the intangible cultural heritage, under the necessary circumstances”, and Article 34.2 Section 2 states practitioners "to teach students, transmit to next generation, to disseminate, promote, provide assistance to record information, and conduct registration of intangible cultural heritage".
Practitioners of Bii biyelgee are actively involved in the safeguarding, transmission, research, study, revitalization activities, especially promoting “Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance” through media organizations, radios and TVs. For instance, Bii biyelgee practitioners J.Khumbaa, G.Bayartai, D.Balgam, N.Burmaa and ikhel musical instrument craftsmanship L.Bayarsaikhan and “Ov Erdene-Biyelgee association”, “Innovation center for Mongol dance studies”, “Nomad’s traditional cultural heritage center”, “United Association of Mongolian traditional folk arts”, “Bii biyeleg association of Mongolian traditional folk arts”, “Agsal Khulai” NGOs are involved.
Practitioners actively organized the apprenticeship training, research and promotional activities. While Practitioners were transmitting the Bii biyelgee for their apprentices, they truly aimed to transmit the traditional knowledge associated with history, living style, customs, and rituals of certain ethnic groups.
Between 2018 and 2021, researchers Sh.Erdenetsetseg, Ts.Tsolmon, N.Magsarjav, M.Munguntsetseg, Ch.Palamjav, D.Bayarbaatar, J.Erdenekhorloo were attended more that 10 TV programs and talked about the myth, historic background and semantic meaning of Bii biyelgee.
All stakeholders as practitioners, researchers, scholars, local governing administrators, public, government and non-governmental organizations, cultural divisions, museums and other related organizations are actively involved in the safeguarding, transmission, research, study and promotion of the Bii Biyelgee.
B.3.d.
Timetable
Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented.
Timetable
-Between 2018-2021, N.Burmaa, a practitioner of Torguud bii biyelgee has organized 5 times apprenticeship training and taught Torguud bii for 83 persons.
-G.Bayartai practitioner of Bii biyelgee has taught 6 ethnic group’s 10 types of Biyelgee to 376 persons.
-Between 2018-2021, J.Khumbaa, practitioner of Bayad biyelgee taught the Bayad biyelgee for over 200 children and pupils.
-Bii Biyelgee is being taught in the School of Dance Arts at National University of Mongolia by the school “Mongolian traditional dance class” by Mongolian State Honored Artist and professor D.Nanjid. Between 2018-2021, a total of 178 students graduated.
-Annual festival “Oirad tumen” has organized in Uvs province between 2018 and 2021,
-Bii biyelgee festival organized in Khovd province in 2018,
-In 2018, the School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts has done field research in Eznee khoshuu of Alshaa province in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the People’s Republic of China for studying the present situation, types, and transformation of the Bii Biyelgee of Torguud and made audio and video documentation.
-“Nomadic Mongolia” grand festival of ICH organized in 2018 at Ulaanbaatar city.
-In 2018, the “Mongolian Cultural Festival” organized by the Culture and Arts Agency of Ulaanbaatar city and participants were from Alshaa province in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the PRC, Republic of Kalmykia, Republic of Tuva, and the Republic of Buryatia in Russian Federation.
-In 2019, comparative research and studies has done on the horse dance and Savkhan dance of Ordos ethnic in Uushin region of Ordos province of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in PRC.
-“Bii biyelgee” competition which is organized annually in Nalaikh district of Ulaanbaatar city,
-In 2019 the children’s group from “Agsal Khulai” NGO has got 3rd place of the “Asia Folk-2019” festival by folk performing arts competition,
-In January, 2019 “Naariich biiliich” festival has organized at Bulgan soum of Khovd province,
-In 2020, the School of Culture in the National University of Culture and Arts and the National Center for Cultural Heritage have jointly conducted a field survey in Bayad, Dorvod, Khoton ethnic groups of Uvs province based on registration and information database.
-In 2021 online competition “Ikhelch and biich” has organized by “Baruun Mongolyn Uran Manlai Tov” NGO and 44 participants participated.
-By the support of the Ministry of Culture, the center “Baruun Mongoliin Uran Manlai" organized the project “Cultural heritage of Ikhel” and trained 38 persons from 19 soums of Uvs province. Participants were learnt from both practitioners of Bii Biyelgee and practitioner of Ikhel.
-In 2021 team of the program “Cultural Heritage” in MNB has traveled to Uvs province and made 2 series of TV programs regarding the Bii Biyelgee and ikhel musical instrument and broadcasted to the public.
-In 2021, the training center “Agsal Khulai” has organized the online competition “Naariich, biiliich” and over 50 participants participated in the competition.
-In 2021, by the support of the Ministry of Culture, Mongolia the third ethno modern dance performance “White Vertical Triangle” has performed on stage.
B.3.e.
Budget expenditures
Provide the detailed amounts of the funds used for the implementation of each activity (if possible, in US dollars), identifying the funding source for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).
Budget
Article 41 of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage, approved by the Parliament of Mongolia in 2014, states that “The activities for the protection of cultural heritage shall be financed by the state, local budgets, assistance, donations, and funds by Mongolian and foreign citizens, as well as legal entities, international organizations, and other resources.” In Article 13, Section 13.1.13, it is stated that “Allocate funds in the state budget for the activities to promote, transmit, preserve and safeguard the cultural properties inscribed on the World Heritage List and submit nomination proposals of the cultural heritage of the World Heritage List.” Furthermore, Article 15 on “Powers of the Citizens’ Representatives Khurals of provinces, the capital city, soums, and district” and its Section 15.1.1 states “Monitor and approve the necessary budget to develop plans and programs for implementation, as well as provide the implementation of the legislation concerning the protection of cultural heritage within their territory” and Article 16 on “Powers of the Government of provinces and the capital city”, and its Section 16.1.12 states “Identify practitioners of intangible cultural heritage, as well as provide publicly and assistance and organize activities of transmission.” This resolution allows the budget allocated to the local areas to provide expenditure on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage.
As a result of the promoting and supporting activities dedicated to practitioners of Bii biyelgee, their social value has increased. J.Khumbaa, a practitioner of Bayad Bii biyelgee from the Malchin soum of Uvs province has been selected as the “Most talented practitioner of 2020” and rewarded 30 million MNT.
During this reporting period
1. In July 2018, the School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts has done field research in Eznee khoshuu of Alshaa province in Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in the PRC for studying the present situation, types, and transformation of the Bii Biyelgee of Torguud and made audio and video documentation. 4444$
2. In December 2019, comparative research and studies has done on the horse dance and Savkhan dance of Ordos ethnic in Uushin region of Ordos province of Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region in People’s Republic of China. 4000$
3. In July 2020, the School of Culture in the National University of Culture and Arts and the National Center for Cultural Heritage have jointly conducted a field survey in Bayad, Dorvod, Khoton ethnic groups of Uvs province based on registration and information database. 2400$
4. In 2018, the encyclopedia “Dance” published. 15000 $
5. In 2020, the encyclopedia “Cultural Heritage” has published. 15,000$
6. J.Khumbaa “Most talented practitioner of 2020” rewarded 30 million MNT or 12000 $
7. In 2021, online competition “Ikhelch, biich” 1000 $
8. In 2021, “Vertical White Triangle” ethno-modern dance performance 15,000 $
9. In 2021, “Cultural heritage of Ikhel” 8000 $
10. In 2021, online competition by “Agsal Khulai” 1000 $
A total of budget to spent for safeguarding measure is 65,844$
B.3.f.
Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities
Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.
Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities
Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.
As a result of the safeguarding measures and activities, the viability of the Bii biyelgee heritage element has been enhanced. Some progress has been made in reviving, safeguarding, and studying the tradition of this heritage element, and setting up a sustainable mechanism for promoting and transmitting this heritage.
Registration and information database of cultural heritage has been regularly updated in accordance with the given schedule and the legal environment associated with this heritage element and its practitioners improved. As of 2020, 396 practitioners of this heritage element registered in the State registration and information database of cultural heritage, and compared to 2009 when this heritage element was inscribed on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, practitioner and apprentices number increased over 20 times.
In 2020, the Government of Mongolia has made a historic decision that to establish the Ministry of Culture separately from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Sports. The newly established ministry has 7 departments, and one is the Cultural Heritage Department. The department is responsible for managing the implementation of policies, plans, and laws for the protection of cultural heritage, developing procedures, rules, and legal documents required for their implementation, and providing advice and all-around support.
Initiatives and participation of governmental and non-governmental organizations, practitioners, individuals, and communities in the field of safeguarding, dissemination, promotion, and transmission of intangible cultural heritage have been increased, cooperative relations have been developed and relevant experience has been gained. There is a growing awareness among the public to respect, be proud of, transmit and learn about their intangible cultural heritage.
Researchers and scholars in the field of dance heritage published their research articles and research works for public use. For instance, within the frame of creating the series encyclopedia of Culture and Arts, the encyclopedia “Dance” has created which includes dance heritage information, especially about the “Bii biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance”. This encyclopedia became significant work for researchers and amateur learners to learn more about the living style, form, and type of dance of ethnic groups.
In addition, the field research was very effective work in the research, documentation, creation of registration and information database, reflection of research outcomes in the safeguarding plans, and promoting to the public. The field research conducted in Uvs province in 2020, was very specific on the research was made in the relationship between movement, ritual, and living style of practitioners and ethnic groups, besides that the musical melody was researched by each ethnic group.
J.Khumbaa, a practitioner of Bayad Bii biyelgee from the Malchin soum of Uvs province has been selected as the “Most talented practitioner of 2020” and rewarded 30 million MNT.
The Ministry of Culture (old name Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports of Mongolia), the Government implementing agency Culture and Art Authority, and cultural organizations 21 provinces and Ulaanbaatar city have jointly organized the intangible cultural heritage festival “Nomadic Mongolia-2018”. In addition, the festival “Naariich, biiliich” (Come, let’s dance or let’s do Bii Biyelgee) organized in Khovd province, “Ikhelch, biich” online competition, “Naariich, biiliich” online competition by “Agsal Khulai” center.
C
Tserendorj
C. Update of the safeguarding measures
C.1.
Updated safeguarding plan
Please provide an update of the safeguarding plan included in the nomination file or in the previous report. In particular provide detailed information as follows:
- a. What primary objective(s) will be addressed and what concrete results will be expected?
- b. What are the key activities to be carried out in order to achieve these expected results? Describe the activities in detail and in their best sequence, addressing their feasibility.
- c. How will the State(s) Party(ies) concerned support the implementation of the updated safeguarding plan?
Updated safeguarding plan
In “VISION-2050” Long-term Development Policy of Mongolia, National Action Plan of Government of Mongolia, Guidelines for Development of Mongolia in 2021-2025, “Guidelines for Improving the Laws and Regulations of Mongolia until 2024,” and Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Culture for 2021-2024 incorporates organizing the activities in the field of identification, registration, studying, creation of a registry and database, as well as transmitting, distributing, promoting the intangible cultural heritage and supporting, protecting, educating, and identifying its practitioners. They aim to support the transmission of academic talent and traditional knowledge to future generations and provide a system of support and incentives for groups, communities, and practitioners who have established apprenticeship training. A working group has been established and begun to conduct relevant research, to submit an independent law on “Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage” to the State Great Khural in 2023.
The updated plan is in line with the above policy documents. The purpose of the plan is:
To update the records, research, and documentation of the traditional art of Bii Biyelgee, to transmit, study, promote and strengthen its viability through formal and informal training, raise public awareness, and provide the preparation to transit from the List of Urgent Safeguarding to the Representative List of ICH of Humanity.
The aim of the updated plan:
- To improve the legal environment for safeguarding of this heritage element,
- To update the registration of practitioners,
- Intensify research on this heritage element,
- To increase number of the apprenticeship training,
- To promote and disseminate the knowledge associated with heritage and raise awareness of general public on this,
- To conduct the monitoring
Expected results:
- Supporting mechanism for the heritage practitioner will be determined with the enhancement of the legal environment.
- Practitioners’ registration and surveys will be updated regularly.
- The number of scholars and researchers will be increased and their level of skills will be enhanced. As a result of this, research based safeguarding measures will be taken and safeguarding measures will be intensified.
- Increase of apprenticeship training will increase the number of apprentices and learners of this heritage and apprentice’s skill will be improved (Long term apprenticeship training conducted by high skilled practitioners will increase the number of apprentices)
- As a result of awareness raising campaigns and activities, social value, pride and respect about this heritage will be increased.
- Regular monitoring will enhance the viability of the heritage.
The Government of Mongolia, the Ministry of Culture, the Government Implementing Agency Department of Arts and Culture, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Foundation for the Protection of Natural and Cultural Heritage and other governmental and non-governmental organizations, artists, heritage practitioners, students and researchers and other related stakeholders will organize the safeguarding measures, as identification of practitioners, registration, documentation, research, promotion and supporting practitioners in appropriate way.
The implementation of this plan will fully strengthen the viability of the heritage and allow for the transfer from between lists.
C.2.
Timetable for future actitivies
Provide a timetable for the updated safeguarding plan (within a time-frame of approximately four years).
00310,00312,00543,00871,00873,01061
Timetable
The Government of Mongolia is planning to transfer the “Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance” from the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding to the List of Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in coming years. Therefore, following activities are planning to be implemented in cooperation with governmental and non-governmental organizations, researchers, research institutes, local governments, and the public to safeguard and strengthen the Bii Biyelgee in between 2022 and 2025. As for including:
1. To enhance the legal environment,
The Government of Mongolia is paying special attention to the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage and had planned to adopt independent “Law on the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage” by 2024. The draft law will be elaborated with stakeholders in between of 2022 and 2024 and will be adopted. The law will improve the system of safeguarding and supporting mechanism for practitioners.
2. Update the registration and records of practitioners
-To clarify skill and knowledge of practitioner with certain criteria and to classify practitioners. For instance: most talented practitioner, talented practitioner, practitioner and apprentice. Policy of transmission will be focused on quality more than quantity.
3. Intensify the research and studies of Bii Biyelgee
-To organize detailed research and studies of Bii biyelgee in Uvs, Khovd, Bayan-Olgii, Selenge, Darkhan-Uul, Tov provinces and Ulaanbaatar city in association with the movement, music, traditional setting, and cultural landscape and to reflect the research outcomes into the safeguarding measures. In addition, to conduct the comparative research and studies on Bii biyelgee of Khalimag Torguud, Dorvod, and Zakhchin in the Russian Federation and Torguud ethnic group in the Xinjiang Uighur autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China. Researchers of intangible cultural heritage and ethnochoreologists will be involved in this research. In addition, a research conference on Bii biyelgee will be organized.
4.Increase the number of apprenticeship training
-To transmit the Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance to younger generations through formal and non-formal training. To transmit the heritage element in its tradition setting and cultural landscape along with traditional knowledge, form, symbolic and semantic meaning and the traditional living style.
5.To raise awareness of general public on heritage element and to disseminate and promote the heritage
One of the most important factors in ensuring the viability of heritage is to increase awareness of the heritage, to create a community with knowledge about heritage, to increase the value of heritage, and to build a sense of pride. Therefore, in order to increase public awareness of the heritage, to make a documentary on the heritage of each ethnic group, create digital content related to the heritage, to organize a series of seminars for researchers on the heritage in provinces and Ulaanbaatar city, and to organize festival for this heritage.
6. Monitoring
In 2022-2025, the sustainability of this heritage will be determined by conducting comparison on the annual safeguarding measures and activities, especially the quality of apprenticeship trainings and the number of practitioners on Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance.
C.3.
Budget for future activities
Provide the estimates of the funds required for implementing the updated safeguarding plan (if possible, in US dollars), identifying any available resources (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).
Budget
Aiming to enhance the viability of the heritage “Mongol Biyelgee-Mongolian traditional folk dance” following activities will be implemented in between of 2022-2025 by State and local budgets and other funding.
1. To enhance the legal environment- make assessment and research for viability of this heritage element in 2022-2025. Budget 8000$. State and local budgets and other funding
2. Organize apprenticeship training on basis of practitioners in 2022-2025.Budget 8000$.State and local budgets and other funding
3. Organize activities and campaigns to raise awareness of general public on Bii Biyelgee in 2022-2025.Budget 4000$.State and local budgets and other funding
4. Make documentary film for Bii biyelgee dance of 6 different ethnic groups (Bayad, Dorvod, Khoton, Zakhchin, Uriankhai, Torguud) every ethnic group in 2022-2025. Budget 21000$.State and local budgets and other funding
5. Develop the digital content for Bii Biyelgee in 2022-2025.Budget 6000$.State and local budgets and other funding
6. Organize research conference for transmission of Bii biyelgee for young generation in 2022-2025. Budget 5000$.State and local budgets and other funding
7. Organize a Bii biyelgee festival in 2022-2025. Budget 5000$.State and local budgets and other funding
8. Publish a research book for Bii Biyelgee in 2022-2025.Budget 2000$. State and local budgets and other funding
C.4.
Community participation
Please describe how communities, groups and individuals, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have been involved, including in terms of gender roles, in updating the safeguarding plan, and how they will be involved in its implementation.
00147
Community participation
The updated safeguarding plan was developed by the Ministry of Culture, the National Center for Cultural Heritage, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Department of Culture and Arts of the Government Implementation Agency, senior and young heritage practitioners, and relevant government officials, including opinions of organizations, scholars, in accordance with the policy documents such as the “Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage”, long-term development policy document of Mongolia VISION -2050, the Action Plan of the Government of Mongolia, the Guidelines for the Development of Mongolia for 2021-2025, the Guidelines for Improving the Legislation of Mongolia until 2024, and the Strategic Plan for 2021-2024 of the Ministry of Culture.
The Ministry of Culture will create a favorable legal environment, formulate policies, allocate and monitor the necessary budgets in the state budget, and provide guidance and methodologies for the implementation of national activities by the Government of Mongolia. The National Center for Cultural Heritage will work with trainers and heritage practitioners to organize safeguarding activities, as well as national inventory, festivals and academic conferences.
In addition, the School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts will be keep doing research and studies in association with Bii biyelgee and its history and myth. Apprenticeship training will be conducted by practitioners.
C.5.
Institutional context
Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:
- a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
- b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.
2005-06-29
Institutional context
a. Ministry of Culture, Mongolia
Address: Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, Sukhbaatar district, 7th sub-district, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Byambasuren DAVAATSEREN
Director of Cultural Heritage Department
Phone: + 976- 51-265609
Fax: 976-
Email: davaatseren@moc.gov.mn
Web:moc.gov.mn
Email: info@moc.gov.mn
Tserendorj TSOLMON
Coordination Officer for Policy Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Phone: + 976- 51-265617
Fax: 976-
Email: tsolmon@moc.gov.mn
Phone: + 976- 99057308
National Center for Cultural Heritage
Address: Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Khan-Uul district, 21st khoroo, Buyant Ukhaa 2 district,
Galbadrakh ENKHBAT
Director National Cultural Heritage Center
Phone: + 976-99168200
+ 976- 70110877
Fax: 976-11-312735
Email: enkhbatcch@gmail.com info@ncch.gov.mn
Web: http://ncch.gov.mm/
Arslan SARUUL
Specialist in charge of World Heritage Sites, Department for Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage in Emergency Situation in National Center for Cultural Heritage
Phone: + 976- 99030405
Email: saku_tuntic@yahoo.com
Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO
Khoskhuu IDER
Programme Specialist for Culture
Phone: + 976-70105652
+ 976-95959542
Fax: 976-11-322612
Email: kh.ider@unesco.mn
School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts
Director Shine ERDENETSETSEG
Tel: + 976-99108679
E-mail: shierdee@yahoo.com
D
Tsolmon
D. Participation of communities in preparing this report
Describe the measures taken to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report.
Participation of communities in preparing this report
By the order of the Minister of Culture of Mongolia No. A / 73 of 2021 “On the establishment of a working group”, a working group was established to develop and prepare the “Periodic Report on Cultural Heritage in Need of the Urgent Safeguarding”. These include representatives from the Ministry of Culture, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, the Government Implementing Agency for Culture and Arts, and the National Center for Cultural Heritage, the Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and related researchers, scholars and practitioners of Bii Biyelgee.
During the preparation of this periodic report, the working group has done 4 times meetings for collecting data and information from practitioners and cultural organizations in 21 provinces and 9 districts of Ulaanbaatar and for analyzing the gathered data in accordance with the questionnaires of periodic reporting form, and for elaborating the updated safeguarding plan for this heritage element.
The Ministry of Culture, Mongolia, the National Center for Cultural Heritage, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO, School of Culture in the Mongolian National University of Culture and Arts, the Institute for Studies of Culture and Arts, “Ov Erdene-Biyelgee association”, “Innovation center for Mongol dance studies”, “Nomad’s traditional cultural heritage center”, “United Association of Mongolian traditional folk arts”, “Bii biyeleg association of Mongolian traditional folk arts”, “Agsal Khulai” NGOs and researchers, scholars, and practitioners, such as G.Bayartai practitioner of Dorvod Biyelgee, Sh.Otgonbayar practitioner of Zakhchin biyelgee, R.Samjid practitioner of Uriankhai Biyelgee, J.Khumbaa practitioner of Bayad biyelgee and ikhel, D.Balgan practitioner Khoton Biyelgee, Ts.Buyankhishig and N.Burmaa practitioners of Torguud Biyelgee, and L.Bayarsaikhan craftsmanship of ikhel musical instrument were played the most vital role in the preparation of this report.
E
Coordination Officer for Policy Implementation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Department of Cultural Heritage
Ministry of Culture
E. Signature on behalf of the State Party
The report should be signed by an official empowered to do so on behalf of the State, and should include his or her name, title and the date of submission.
Name
NOMIN Chinbat
Title
Minister of Culture, Mongolia
Date
10-12-2021
Signature
NOMIN Chinbat
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© 2009 by Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO 
