Uzbekistan: Musical Traditions of the Karakalpaks

The ancient, orally-transmitted epic tradition of the Karakalpaks, woven with the songs they sing in their everyday lives, forms a rich musical tapestry in the arid land of Karakalpakstan (an autonomous republic in Uzbekistan). From lullabies, Jew’s harp solos, wedding tunes to the guttural cantillations of jirow bards, life stories of epic heroes sung by baqsy bards, creative performances on dutar, and instrumental pieces played by small ensembles, these recordings provide a panoramic view of Karakalpak music. They were drawn form 10 hours of field recordings made in 2000 during an expedition conducted under the aegis of the UNESCO office in Tashkent. 73 minutes, 22-page notes.

This is a previously-unpublished volume of the UNESCO Collection of Traditional Music, which was transferred to the Smithsonian to keep the series publicly available.

Track Listing

101	Hawjar	Jilva Kegeli vocal ensemble	01:10
102	Jew’s Harp Solos	Genjexan Esimbet-qizi	02:54
103	Hayyu (Lullaby)	Qalbeke Uzaqbergenova	02:27
104	Kelte Nalysh	Qalbeke Uzaqbergenova	02:22
105	Qobyz Namasy (Melody on the Qobyz)	Baxtiyar Esemuratov	01:05
106	Qaytarip Ber Amudariamni (Give Me Back My Amu Darya [River])	Baxtiyar Esemuratov	03:15
107	Qoshaq “Sen Yar Gedeli” (Since You Left)	Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:00
108	Kepter Muxallasi	Tengelbay Qalliev, Injegul Saburova	02:25
109	Siy Perde (Gift Song)	Ghayrat Otemuratov	03:10
110	Bes Perde	Gulnara Allabergenova, Turghanbay Kurbanov	03:21
111	Kizlar Uyga Kir (Girls, Come into the House)	Bibigawhar Uzaqbaeva, Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:03
112	Qara Jorgha (The Black Steed)	Turghanbay Kalendarov	01:31
113	Ne Payda Namasy (What’s The Use)	Zulfiya Arzumbetova, Injegul Saburova	02:54
114	Qara Jorgha (The Black Steed)	Ghayrat Otemuratov	03:02
115	Aq Ishik (The White Coat)	Ghayrat Otemuratov	02:37
116	Leylay	Gulbahor Rametova, Injegul Saburova, Azat Turdibayev	04:28
117	Oramal	Gulbahor Rametova, Injegul Saburova, Azat Turdibayev	03:25
118	Dembermes	Roza Kutekeeva, Ensemble of the Nukus Philharmonia	02:11
119	Adingnen	Student ensemble from Sanat Bilim Yurti	03:30
120	Kelte Nalysh	Turghanbay Kurbanov	04:28
121	Musa Sen Yary	Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:40
122	Qoshim Palvan Namasy (Melody of Qoshim the Champion)	Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:58
123	Uch Top Namasy	Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:04
124	Gel Ey Laylim (Come, My Leyli)	Turghanbay Kalendarov, Jarylkaghan Esjanov	03:19
125	Qaradaly	Turghanbay Kurbanov, Ensemble of the Nukus Philharmonia	03:06