Tambura
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Aites of the Kazak
Kazak Aites is a typical folk art of the Kazak ethnic group and a contest-type performance of antiphonal singing. It is the literature genre with richest content among folk oral literature of Kazak and has exerted the greatest influence on the general public. Its traditional programs mainly express the history, culture and emotion of the Kazaks. It is full of dense features of Kazak oral literature and music from lines to lyrics. It has extraordinary historical values and is known as "a mirror" and an "encyclopedia" of the life of Kazak people. In ancient times, Akens looked for competitors of antiphonal singing and perfected their skills in grand festival gatherings and common weddings. Akens and poets with profound knowledge asked questions and answered promptly by poems by antiphonal singing in weddings and other gatherings. By such a way, they taught knowledge or express certain viewpoints. When the master welcomed his guests, he would invite neighbors and ask the guest to sing. At this moment, the guest would sing what he heard or recited to people. His song would be spread in entire Awule rapidly and even to further places. Aites antiphonal singing has no fixed styles. The performer generally decides the melody and rhythm from the language itself based on the content of antiphonal singing. They mostly accompany themselves by Tambura. Some just sing without any accompaniment. Aites actors must be clever and have profound knowledge. They must have the talents of impromptu composing, understand the society, be clever with interpersonal skills, have quick response and convince people by their reasoning and talents. It reflects not only Aken's playing and singing ability or pure music talents, but also their comprehensive skills. It is a sophisticated and advanced art that integrates Akens' playing, singing and impromptu composing ability, music talents, eloquence, ability of creation and performance. As a contest-type antiphonal singing, Aites artists often suppress others and uplift themselves during the performance. They try to take the control with poignant language. They understand each other. The winner won't be complacent and the loser will not feel defeated. The winner is modest and polite while the loser does not feel ashamed. Aites show must be staged in gatherings, normally between artists from different tribes and regions.
Karamay hosts Ethnic Embroidery Exhibition
An Ethnic Embroidery Exhibition was held in the cultural pedestrian street of Karamay city from Oct 20-26, Karamay Daily reported. More than 100 artworks, including ethnic costumes, ethnic artifacts and musical instruments from the Kazak ethnic group were displayed during the exhibition. A set of handmade artifacts, depicting how herdsman migrated from one place to another, is several meters long and attracted lots of attention. Live cultural heritage performances depicting production of leather artifacts, Kazakh felt artifacts and wool twisting rope were also on display during the exhibition. Kazakh boys played the music of Black Zuma with an ethnic instrument called a Tambura during the exhibition. The visitors and staff members couldn’t help dancing with the music. The exhibition was sponsored by the publicity department of the Party committee of Karamay and Karamay’s sports bureau. It is supported by the local government of Xiaoguai county in Karamay. By Oct 24, more than 800 people had visited the exhibition. According to the deputy head of Xiaoguai county, the embroidery exhibition provides a good opportunity to experience the customs of the Kazakh ethnic group. “The bag’s cloth material is high quality, and the embroidery work is delicate with strong ethnic characteristics,” said Guo Xiufen, a local citizen. Ren Benju, a 60-year-old local citizen, brought his grandson to the exhibition. “It’s the first time that I have seen Kazakh artifacts. They are beautiful and delicate. I hope that more exhibitions like this will be held to help me better understand Kazakhs,” said Ren Benju. “In recent years, Karamay has vigorously supported local culture companies to create a batch of special culture projects. The embroidery exhibition is the epitome of the local government’s work, and the government will have more ways to develop the local culture industry,” said Song Haixia, director of Karamay’s culture and sports bureau.
Teenager's music makes the difference in refugee shelter
By CCTV reporter Hu Ting Tens of thousands of Syrian Kurds have swarmed into neighbouring Iraq’s northern self-ruled Kurdish region over the past few weeks. It is one of the biggest waves of refugees since the unrest began in Syria two years ago. A school in the tiny northern Iraqi town of Qush-tapa is now home to thousands of Kurdish refugees; among them, a 13-year-old boy. And as Hu Ting reports, his presence there has refugees in the school swaying to quite a tune. Makeshift facilities in corridors and classrooms, amenities here are basic at most. Amongst the many refugees in this school building, one stands out. 13-year old Dylan, holding his tambura. The teenager who lost his sight when he was a baby, escaped from the Syrian province of al-Hasaka two months ago with four members of his family. The tambura was the only possession Dylan crossed over with. Now this school echoes to the sound of the instrument and Dylan’s voice, providing much needed entertainment for traumatized refugees. Dylan, Syrian Kurdish Refugee, said, "I used to play music for my friends and sing but when I used to hear the sound of shelling from planes I would stop. I used to run to my parents because I was very afraid." At home, Dylan’s father Mohamed, had to explain the origin of the frightening sounds of explosions to his son. Dylan could not see the warplanes, but clearly understood what was going on around him. Mohamed, Dylan’s Father, said, "Dylan is blind, not deaf. So he used to hear the sounds of shelling outside. One day he told me, ’I am afraid, let’s leave to Kurdistan’, which is why we came. So even if he did not see, just hearing the sound of explosions and bombs had a big impact on him." Dylan’s parents say that as a baby, Dylan would only stop crying if he heard music. Dylan was given the stringed instrument when he was four years old by his grandfather, and when he grew up the family taught him to use it. His music has proved a blessing for his fellow refugees with one saying that Dylan lights up his day with his music and brings joy to those around him.
Knowledge Graph
Examples
1 An exhibition of Kazakh women's embroidery works and clothing was held in the square the same day and a "tambura rhyme" concert was held at Central Cultural Palace.
2 She repairs a tambura broken by her father and mended friendships between her father and an old Kazak schoolmaster, and between the old Kazak schoolmaster and his son.
3 It is usually performed by a small ensemble, consisting of a vocalist, a violin, mridangam, and atambura.