What is Mongol Tuuli?

Inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009, the Mongolian Tuuli is an oral tradition comprising heroic epics that run from hundreds to thousands of lines and combine benedictions, eulogies, spells, idiomatic phrases, fairy tales, myths and folk songs.

They are regarded as a living encyclopedia of Mongolian oral traditions and immortalize the heroic history of the Mongolian people. Epics are performed during many social and public events, including state affairs, weddings, a child’s first haircut, National Naadam Festival and the worship of sacred sites.

Epics evolved over many centuries, and reflect nomadic lifestyles, social behaviors, religion, mentalities and imagination. Performing artists cultivate epic traditions from generation to generation, learning, performing and transmitting techniques within kinship circles, from fathers to sons. Through the epics, Mongolians transmit their historical knowledge and values to younger generations, strengthening awareness of national identity, pride and unity. Today, the number of epic trainers and learners is decreasing. With the gradual disappearance of the Mongol epic, the system of transmitting historic and cultural knowledge is degrading.