Turkistan: The Central Asian Folk Music You Need to Know

Turkistan is a region in Central Asia with a rich and diverse musical culture. In this blog post, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular Turkistan folk music styles.

Introduction to Turkistan

Turkistan is a region located in Central Asia. The music of Turkistan is a mixture of Turkic, Iranian, Arabic, and Mongolian musical traditions. The music of Turkistan has a long history and has been influenced by many different cultures. The music of Turkistan is very diverse and includes a wide variety of styles and genres.

The people of Turkistan

The people of Turkistan are a mix of many different ethnic groups, including Turkic, Mongol, Persian, and Caucasian. The largest group is the Turks, who make up about 60% of the population. Other groups include the Uzbeks (12%), Kazakhs (8%), Tajiks (6%), and Kyrgyz (4%). Turkistan has a long history of religious and ethnic tolerance, and all of these groups have traditionally lived together peacefully.

Turkistan is sometimes called the “crossroads of Asia” because it has been historically important for trade and cultural exchange between Europe and Asia. The region was controlled by a succession of powerful empires, including the Persians, Greeks, Arabs, Mongols, and Russians. This long history has left Turkistan with a rich cultural heritage.

Turkistan is a predominantly Muslim region, but there are also sizable populations of Christians and Buddhists. Islam is the largest religion in Turkistan, with about 60% of the population following that faith. Christianity is practiced by about 12% of the population, mainly in the form of Orthodox Christianity. Buddhism is followed by about 6% of the population, primarily in the form of Tibetan Buddhism.

The music of Turkistan reflects its diverse culture and history. It includes elements from Turkish, Mongolian, Persian, Arabic, Russian, and Western European music. Instruments used in Turkistani music include the dutar (a two-stringed lute), the komuz (a three-stringed lute), the surnai (a wind instrument), and the dap (a frame drum).

The music of Turkistan

Turkistan is a region in Central Asia with a rich and varied musical tradition. The music of Turkistan is influenced by the region’s many cultures, including Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Russian. Turkistan is home to a number of traditional folk instruments, such as the dutar (a two-stringed lute), the komuz (a three-stringed lute), and the dombra (a two-stringed drum).

Turkistan’s music has a long history, dating back to the earliest days of the Silk Road. The music of Turkistan was first introduced to the West in the 18th century by European travelers such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Giacomo Casanova. In the 19th century, Turkistan’s music became more widely known through the work of Russian ethnographers such as Lev Gumilyov and Nikolai Miklouho-Maclay. gumilyov was particularly interested in the music of Turkistan’s nomadic peoples, and he collected a large number of folk songs from across the region.

In the 20th century, Turkistan’s music was further popularized by musicians such as Alim Qasimov, who brought the music of Turkemenistan to a global audience. Qasimov is considered one of the greatest living exponents of Turkic folk music, and his work has been hugely influential in shaping the sound of modern Turkemenistani music.

The Instruments of Turkistan

The music of Turkistan is as varied as the people and cultures that inhabit the central Asian region. The music is a product of the people’s rich and varied history, with influences from Persia, China, Russia, and the Middle East. The instruments of Turkistan are just as diverse as the music, with a wide range of traditional and modern instruments being used.

The doira

The doira is a large, drum-like instrument typically made out of wood. It is usually decorated with Turkic symbols and is suspended from the drummer’s neck by a strap. The doira is played with two wooden sticks, one in each hand. The right stick is used to strike the main skin, while the left stick is used to strike the smaller skin at the top of the drum.

The doira is an important part of Turkic music and culture, and it is often used in traditional ceremonies and celebrations. It has a wide range of sounds and can be used to create various rhythms. The doira is also sometimes used as a communication tool, as it can be heard from long distances.

The komuz

The komuz is a three-stringed, fretless instrument traditionally played by the Turkic peoples of Central Asia. The instrument has a long neck and a rectangular body, and is held upright while being played. The komuz is believed to have originated in the region of modern-day Uzbekistan, and it is still widely played there today.

The komuz is typically made from the wood of apricot or apple trees, and the strings are traditionally made from horsehair. The instrument can be played with a bow or with plucking techniques. The sound of the komuz is said to be similar to that of the human voice, and it has been used as a mourning instrument in some Turkic cultures.

The komuz is an important part of the traditional music of Turkistan, and it is also popular in other parts of Central Asia. If you are interested in exploring the music of this region, be sure to check out some recordings that feature the komuz!

The dombra

The dombra is a long-necked lute, commonly used in Turkic folk music. It has two strings, traditionally made of gut, and is played with a plectrum. The instrument is thought to have originated in Central Asia, and is still popular in countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

The dombra is often used as an accompaniment to singing, and can also be played solo. Solo pieces for the dombra are usually written in a minor key, and often make use of extended techniques such as string-bending and tremolo.

If you’re interested in exploring the music of Turkistan, the dombra is a great place to start!

The Songs of Turkistan

The music of Turkistan is a reflection of the varied cultures that make up the region. Turkic folk music has its roots in the music of the Turkic people, who are spread across Central Asia. The music of Turkistan is characterized by its use of the pentatonic scale, which is common in Turkic folk music.

“Aksakal”

Aksakal is one of the most popular types of Turkistan folk music. It is typically played by a solo singer with accompaniment from a dutar (two-stringed lute) or naghara (drum). The lyrics of aksakal songs often tell stories of daily life, love, and loss.

“Kyrgyz Jigit”

Kyrgyz jigit is a traditional form of folk music from Kyrgyzstan, a central Asian country. The word “jigit” means “rider” in Kyrgyz, and this type of music is often associated with the nomadic lifestyle of the Kyrgyz people.

Kyrgyz jigit is characterized by its simple, repetitive melodies and rhythms. The music is often played on traditional instruments such as the komuz (a three-stringed instrument) and the dombra (a two-stringed instrument).

The lyrics of Kyrgyz jigit songs are usually about love, nature, or the Kyrgyz people’s nomadic way of life. One popular song, “Ulompiyar,” celebrates the beauty of the Kumandin mountains.

If you’re interested in hearing some Kyrgyz jigit music, you can check out the following albums:
-Kyrgyzstan: Folk Songs and Music from Central Asia
-The Songs of Turkistan: Folk Music from Central Asia

“Saryarka”

Saryarka is one of the most popular folk songs of Turkistan. The song is about a young girl who is in love with a boy from a rival tribe. She is forced to marry another man, but she still yearns for her true love.

The Dance of Turkistan

Turkistan is a region located in Central Asia. The music of Turkistan is a mix of folk music and dance. The folk music of Turkistan is a mix of Turkish, Persian, and Arabic influences. The dance of Turkistan is a mix of Turkish, Persian, and Arabic influences.

“Asyk Atam”

“Asyk Atam” is a traditional Central Asian folk song and dance from the Turkistan region. The word “asyk” means “white” in Turkic languages, and “atam” means “horse”. The song and dance are performed by a group of men and women, usually with a long line of dancers holding hands. The lead dancer, who is also the drummer, wears a white horse headdress and leads the group in a circular dance around a central fire. The other dancers follow behind, chanting and clapping their hands.

The dance is said to be over 1,000 years old, and was originally performed by the Turkic nomadic people who inhabited the Central Asian steppes. It was traditionally used as a form of healing ritual, and was thought to bring good luck and prosperity to those who took part in it. Today, the dance is still performed at weddings and other celebratory occasions in Central Asia.

“Kyrgyz Chumys”

Kyrgyz Chumys is a traditional bandy performed in Kyrgyzstan. It is danced by a group of people, usually men, who stand in a circle and hold onto each other’s shoulders. The dance is said to represent the Kyrgyz people’s nomadic lifestyle, and it is often performed at weddings and other celebrations.

Conclusion

Turkistan is a fascinating and little-known region of the world with a wealth of traditional music to offer. If you’re looking for something new and different, give Turkistan a listen!