The tovshuur, also known as topshur or topshuur (Mongolian Cyrillic: товшуур; Mongolian: ᠲᠣᠪᠰᠢᠭᠤᠷ, romanized: tobshiğur) is a two- or three-stringed lute played by the Western Mongolian (Oirats) tribes called the Altai Urianghais, the Altais, Tuvans, and Khalkha peoples. The topshur is closely tied to the folklore of Western Mongolian people and accompanied the performances of storytellers, singing, and dancing.According to descriptions given by Marco Polo, the Mongols also played the instruments before a battle.
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In this Dossier
- ⭐ Core Definition: Tovshuur
- Tovshuur in the context of Mongol epic poetry
- Tovshuur in the context of Komuz
Tovshuur in the context of Mongol epic poetry
Epic poetry, or tuuli in Mongolian, is a substantial genre of Mongol oral literature, with features reminiscent of Germanic alliterative verse. The two most well-known epics are the Jangar and the Geser. These tuuli are commonly sung with instruments such as the Morin khuur (horse-head fiddle) and the Tovshuur (lute). Most epics describe topics relating to Mongolian history, their ideal worlds and heroes, and the acquisition of new lands. Epics are performed mostly during important events such as celebrations. Mongol epic poetry has, as of 2009, been on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
View the full Wikipedia page for Mongol epic poetryTovshuur in the context of Komuz
The komuz or qomuz (Kyrgyz: комуз Kyrgyz pronunciation: [qoˈmuz], Azerbaijani: Qopuz, Turkish: Kopuz) is an ancient fretless string instrument used in Central Asian music, related to certain other Turkic string instruments, the Mongolian tovshuur, and the lute.
The instrument can be found in Turkic ethnic groups, from China to Turkey. Forms of this instrument are used in China by the Naxi people and are called Huobusi, Hebisi , and Hunbusi.
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