Orteke as a musical and theatrical performance among the Kazakhs

This paper is devoted to the study of “Orteke” as a musical and theatrical folk performance of dancing goat, which has appeared widespread among the Kazakhs and other Turkic-Mongolian peoples in the past. There in the “Orteke” elements of music, folk puppetry and magic ritual are combined into a syncretic unity. In addition, the pieces of the same name have been preserved in the instrumental music of Kazakhs. The authors used an integrated approach in the analysis of this phenomenon that allows to present the image of a mountain goat in various fields of Kazakh culture comprehensively. The paper draws mainly upon Dombra music material, including published and transcribed samples of kyuis (a specific type of instrumental music of Kazakhs) named “Orteke”.

This research shows that other figures (horse, bear, sometimes people) can participate in musical and theatrical performance of Orteke along with goats. Existing versions of Orteke reflect geographically determined living conditions of the Kazakhs.

Relationship between Orteke with dance is evidenced by numerous folk kyuis, preserved in the Kazakh Dombra tradition. They are usually referred to as “kyuis with the narratives” (anyz-kyuler), i. e. samples, sounding together with the narrated story (eg. history of their creation). These pieces (both folk and created by professional composers), have been performed during theatrical performances in the past. Nowadays such kyius can be performed as a separate product. They are dancing, echoic (sound imitation), playful, comical by their nature.

They are miniature in form, function in quinte (chanterelle) and quart tunings. Among the styles there are distinguished such as tokpe and shertpe, that characterize either Western or Eastern Kazakhstan traditions of Dombra ethnic music. There are repeated intonations, jumps in the melody, pauses, grace notes, dominated by dotted rhythms, depicting movement and races of goat.

International Festivals of the traditional “Orteke” puppet theater is held in Almaty annually. Their goal is not only connected with the scholary study, but aims at the revival and popularization of this type of folk art. Currently “Orteke” is included on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.