The Ballad of Yugur Ethnic Minority (ICH)

The first list of Intangible Cultural Heritages was approved by the nation in 2006.

Year: 2006

Sort: Folk Music

Area:Gansu province

Serial No.: Ⅱ-19

Declarer: Su'nan Yuguzu autonomous county, Gansu province

The Ballad of the Yugur Ethnic Minority Group, a folk song in the rare Yugur dialect, is the living oral history of the ancient nomadic ethnic group of northern China.

The Yugur Ethnic Minority mostly live from the middle of the Hexi Corridor west to the Yellow River in Gansu province. They are thought to have a close kinship with the ancient Uygur Ethnic Minority Group who now lives mainly in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

There are two different languages used by the Yugur people: One belongs to the Altai language family, similar to Uygur, and the other is similar to Mongolian. Hence, while there is a clear distinction between the Ballad of Yugur and Mongolian folk songs, the two forms of music still share some similarities, especially in pattern and language. The ballad is split into three categories; narrative, work and love songs. There is also a special kind of ballad for newborn livestock.

Presently, the local government has recorded and published 124 Yugur ballads. However, lacking young musicians, the Ballad of Yugur is fading away.

The Yugur Ethnic Minority mostly live from the middle of the Hexi Corridor west to the Yellow River in Gansu province.

The Yugur Ethnic Minority mostly live from the middle of the Hexi Corridor west to the Yellow River in Gansu province.