On October 9, 2023, in Hohhot, a reporter from China News Service delved into the enchanting realm of Mongolian long song, a musical tradition deeply embedded in the expansive grasslands of Inner Mongolia. As the autumn chill settles over the ranches, nights are invigorated by the captivating sounds of long songs resonating across the prairie. The melodies transition from gentle whispers to powerful crescendos, enhancing the festive atmosphere of outdoor music festivals.
Often referred to as a “living fossil of prairie music,” Mongolian long song offers a unique auditory experience that requires remarkable vocal prowess. Singers must skillfully navigate various vocal chambers—including the pharynx, chest, and nasal passages—to authentically perform this art form.
At the Inner Mongolia Prairie Camping Music Festival on September 14, a talented singer named Qiqigemar mesmerized the audience with her long song, displaying intricate melodies adorned with ornamentation such as lead tones, aftertones, slides, and echoes. Among these embellishments, the “Nogular” technique stood out for its distinctiveness.
In an exclusive interview, Yang Yucheng, president of the Inner Mongolia Long Song Art Exchange Research Association, shared insights on the beauty of long song lyrics. “The balanced structure of the lyrics makes them easy to remember, and the long, soothing melodies evoke a sense of vastness. To project the voice across the expansive grassland, it must have a bright, radiant, penetrating quality—almost metallic in nature.”
The term “long song” is derived from the Mongolian word “Uritingdu,” where “Uriting” signifies enduring or eternal, and “du” means song. This musical form boasts a rich history of over 2,000 years, evolving alongside nomadic cultures since the dawn of Mongolian society.
Qiqigemar highlighted the significance of long song in pastoral life, explaining that if a shepherdess doesn’t sing while guiding the sheep, the flock becomes unsettled. Similarly, a horseman who remains silent feels as though his lassoo lacks effectiveness.
Mongolian long songs can be classified into various regional styles, including Sukhbaatar, Khorchin, Hulunbuir, and Alashan. For Tianliang, a prominent long song singer from the Khorchin prairie, these melodies were a fundamental part of her upbringing, filled with cherished memories of her father singing while herding cattle and her mother humming during the preparation of milk tea. “Singing long songs on the grassland feels instinctual to me,” she reflected.
Tianliang further explained that long songs defy conventional rhythmic structures, emphasizing their essence beyond standard musical measures. “True long song can only be well-expressed through lived experiences,” she noted, pointing out that this tradition is primarily transmitted orally.
The central themes of long songs are intricately linked to pastoral life, covering topics like nostalgia, praise, wedding celebrations, and toasts. Tianliang recalled how these songs were an integral part of joyful gatherings, work, honoring ancestors, and even soothing young animals in need of milk.
Erdun Taugteg, a “post-90s” herdsman and intangible cultural heritage bearer of Khorchin long song, underscored that these songs celebrate nature’s beauty as well as themes of love and friendship. Quoting from a long song titled “The Love of Parents,” he shared, “The sky is blue, the grassland is green. The love of parents is mirrored in our hearts.” He firmly believes that while innovation in new compositions is essential, preserving the rich regional characteristics of long song, which harmonize with the essence of nature, is equally important.
Many people assert that long song embodies the spirit of the grasslands and the lives of herders. On music streaming platforms and social media, listeners often express that even if they don’t fully understand the lyrics, the music conjures images of the vast steppes, reflecting the grandeur and beauty of the landscape.
From Yang Yucheng’s perspective, the prairie is vast, serene, inclusive, and open. Long song presents itself in a natural and traditional manner, inviting audiences from all backgrounds to experience deep emotional resonance and connection.
