Praise of Bogdiin Khuree
Encyclopedia
Praise of Bogdiin Khuree is a Mongolian folk song praising the city of Urga (now Ulaanbaatar
) in Mongolia
. The song exists in various versions with differing lyrics, the earliest of which is probably the version of Dash Khuurch published in Ts.Jamtsarano's "Obraztsy mongol'skoi narodnoi literatury", 1908, St.Petersburg. Other written versions include storyteller Togtool's version kept in the Oral literature library of the Literature Academy and Omnogobi province commune herder Nansalmaagiin Chuluunjav's version. The song is said to have been composed by Norov Khuurch (meaning Norov the morin khuur
player) of Urga. According to legend the song was originally sung by a man condemned to death who was pardoned his punishment after turning to look back at the city and singing its praises. Structurally and stylistically the song follows the pattern of traditional Mongolia epics in the way it frames its praise. Mount Bogd Khan Uul
is called "Dunjingarav" which is its Tibetan name (e.g. "Khagan
Dunjingarav", "Bogd Dunjingarav" and "Baghatur
Dunjingarav"). The song dates back to the era of Manchu dominance (1691–1911) and includes references to Manchu imperial decrees (zarlig) the local Manchu governor (amban) and the Chinese commercial district (naimaa khot). It praises various aspects of Urga: its location at the foot of "savior Dunjingarav" where the "golden Tuul" river flows, its civil, religious, military and police administration, its "rich markets", its "80 elbow tall Maitreya statue" (built in 1833 and destroyed with its temple in 1933), its innumerable monasteries filled with "quick-witted disciples", its caravans and endless pilgrims. The detailed praise of Mount Bogd Khan Uul in the beginning follows the Mongolian epic tradition of praising the natural surroundings of the camp of a hero (in this case the "khuree" or camp of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu). The first part with lyrics relating to Mount Dunjingarav was included in Egschiglen
's rendering of the song using the original melody (Youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv9pode4A2c&feature=related).
Ulaanbaatar
Ulan Bator or Ulaanbaatar is the capital and largest city of Mongolia. An independent municipality, the city is not part of any province, and its population as of 2008 is over one million....
) in Mongolia
Mongolia
Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulan Bator, the capital and largest...
. The song exists in various versions with differing lyrics, the earliest of which is probably the version of Dash Khuurch published in Ts.Jamtsarano's "Obraztsy mongol'skoi narodnoi literatury", 1908, St.Petersburg. Other written versions include storyteller Togtool's version kept in the Oral literature library of the Literature Academy and Omnogobi province commune herder Nansalmaagiin Chuluunjav's version. The song is said to have been composed by Norov Khuurch (meaning Norov the morin khuur
Morin khuur
The morin khuur is a traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument. It is one of the most important musical instruments of the Mongol people, and is considered a symbol of the Mongolian nation. The morin khuur is one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity identified...
player) of Urga. According to legend the song was originally sung by a man condemned to death who was pardoned his punishment after turning to look back at the city and singing its praises. Structurally and stylistically the song follows the pattern of traditional Mongolia epics in the way it frames its praise. Mount Bogd Khan Uul
Bogd Khan Uul
The Bogd Khan Mountain is a mountain in Mongolia that overlooks the nation's capital, Ulaanbaatar, from a height of 3000 feet above and to the south of the city.- World Heritage Status :...
is called "Dunjingarav" which is its Tibetan name (e.g. "Khagan
Khagan
Khagan or qagan , alternatively spelled kagan, khaghan, qaghan, or chagan, is a title of imperial rank in the Mongolian and Turkic languages equal to the status of emperor and someone who rules a khaganate...
Dunjingarav", "Bogd Dunjingarav" and "Baghatur
Baghatur
Baghatur is a historical Turco-Mongol honorific title, in origin a term for "hero" or "valiant warrior".The term was first used by the steppe peoples to the north and west of China as early as the 7th century as evidenced in Sui dynasty records...
Dunjingarav"). The song dates back to the era of Manchu dominance (1691–1911) and includes references to Manchu imperial decrees (zarlig) the local Manchu governor (amban) and the Chinese commercial district (naimaa khot). It praises various aspects of Urga: its location at the foot of "savior Dunjingarav" where the "golden Tuul" river flows, its civil, religious, military and police administration, its "rich markets", its "80 elbow tall Maitreya statue" (built in 1833 and destroyed with its temple in 1933), its innumerable monasteries filled with "quick-witted disciples", its caravans and endless pilgrims. The detailed praise of Mount Bogd Khan Uul in the beginning follows the Mongolian epic tradition of praising the natural surroundings of the camp of a hero (in this case the "khuree" or camp of the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu). The first part with lyrics relating to Mount Dunjingarav was included in Egschiglen
Egschiglen
Egschiglen are a Mongolian Folk band, formed in Ulan Bator in 1991. In English Egschiglen means "Beautiful Melody", and they are one of very few traditional Mongolian bands to have become popular in the rest of the World....
's rendering of the song using the original melody (Youtube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv9pode4A2c&feature=related).