Mongolian music is a deeply cherished cultural heritage, with each style capturing the spirit of Mongolia’s vast landscapes and nomadic life.
Morin Khuur, or horse-headed fiddle, is Mongolia’s most beloved instrument. Crafted from wood and adorned with a horse’s head at the tip of its neck, this two-stringed fiddle is known for its rich, soulful sound that mimics the rhythms and movement of horses. Hand-made and often costly, it’s a symbol of wealth and tradition, cherished in every Mongolian home. Played with a bow of horsehair, the Morin Khuur accompanies Mongolia’s traditional long and short songs, as well as the classical bielgee dance, making it essential at Naadam, weddings, Tsagaan Sar, and other grand celebrations.
Mongolia’s music is a sensory journey through its history, landscapes, and cultural pride. Whether through the haunting Long Song, the lively Short Song, or the ethereal notes of the Morin Khuur, these traditions continue to resonate across generations.
Song – A treasured tradition for over 800 years, the Mongolian long song is an ancient vocal style that has endured through generations. Sung during weddings, festivals, and ceremonies, it’s a profound expression of nomadic life and the limitless steppe. In these haunting, melancholic songs, the singer holds notes as long as possible while modulating vowels, evoking the solitude of the nomad and the vastness of the landscape. This style stands in contrast to the short song—a livelier, often humorous form with themes of love, homeland, horses, and beauty. Though technically less demanding, Short songs are an everyday staple of Mongolian life, bringing joy and vibrancy to gatherings.
The Ode, or “magtaal,” is a hymn of praise that remains integral to Mongolian culture. Its roots lie in shamanic poetry, with lyrics dedicated to sacred mountains, victorious wrestlers, or revered horses. Every Naadam festival includes this epic form, celebrating Mongolia’s heroes, natural wonders, and triumphs.
Khoomii, or Mongolian throat singing, is a unique and ancient vocal technique that allows a singer to produce multiple harmonized notes simultaneously. Inhaling deeply, the singer channels air through a constricted throat while the tongue modulates breath, creating harmonies that echo nature’s sounds, from soft breezes to birdsongs. Linked to shamanistic traditions, Khoomii is a mesmerizing tribute to Mongolia’s landscapes.
Bielgee is a captivating dance style unique to the people of western Mongolia, blending storytelling with expressive movement. Danced to the melodies of traditional Mongolian instruments, like the morin khuur (horse-headed fiddle) and yochin, Bielgee performances are typically set within a ger (traditional yurt). With limited space, dancers use subtle, rhythmic motions to communicate elements of their identity, including gender, tribe, and ethnicity.
This traditional dance is a vivid pantomime, with dancers embodying scenes from nomadic life—like milking cows, cooking, or hunting—through expressive gestures. With graceful, rhythmic sways, dancers also mimic the lively movements of horses, capturing the spirit of Mongolia’s herding culture. Bielgee isn’t just a dance; it’s a living portrait of Mongolia’s heritage, skillfully brought to life in every movement.
