Kara Jorga
'Kara Jorga' or Kara Zhorga (Kazakh: Qara jorğa - "Black Ambler") is a traditional Kazakh instrumental song (küy) and dance depicting a horse that uses an ambling gait[1].
The dance can be performed with other songs (küy), however, Kara Jorga became most popular among Kazakh and then Kyrgyz people. Similar dance moves also native for Mongolian people. In 2013 Kara Jorga dance was nominated to UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.
During the Soviet period, as a consequence of Kazakh famine, collectivization and urbanization, Kara Jorga song and dance were almost lost and were subject for research.[2] However, these traditions were preserved by Kazakhs that fled to China in the early 20th century, which was reported by National Geographic reporters at the time. [3] It was then popularized in Kazakhstan since independence, mostly by Kazakh repatriates from China and Turkey, such as Arystan Shadetuly – a professional Kara Jorga dancer. The first music video released by Kazakhs in China in 2009. A several flash mobs staged both in China and Kazakhstan. [4] Largest Kara Jorga dance was achieved in Astana by 399 performers on December 16 2011.[5]
History and etymology
The word "kara" have different meaning Kazakh, starting from black to simple, strong or resistant."Jorga" means to ambling pace of horse walk. Thus it could be translated both as strong ambler or strong pacer. Kara Jorga horses mostly used for long journeys. As in many Eurasian nomadic dances, the name refers to animalistic tradition in culture. Horses treated as a totemic animal among Kazakhs and proto-Kazakh Turkic tribes. Rakhimzhanova, Aray (2015). Qara Jorga in Process of Transformation from Local Knowledge to National Symbol (master thesis). Nazarbayev University.
The dance has also another naming, such as "buwıyn biyi" (dance of joints) because it based on rhythmic moves of shoulder and hand joints.
Kara Jorga like other nomadic dances related to traditional pastoral culture and used during Kazakh festivals and shamanic rituals before Islamic period.
Some elements of Kara Jorga displayed in 1933 in Almaty on ballet stage by Ali Ardobus.[6] Full dance was staged in Kazakh Drama Theatre during Kazakh Enlik-Kebek poem play in 1936.[7]
Later prominent Kazakh-Soviet choreographers Dauren Abirov, Aubakir Ismailov and Sara Zhienkulova developed staged dances on a basis of recorded or observed Kazakh folk dances, such as Kara Jorga. Thus, in Kazakhstan Kara Jorga was preserved as an professional choreographic art, while Kazakh of China have been practicing original forms of folk dances. Kara Jorga became popular in Kazakhstan in 2000s with the rise of national identity and spread of media from Kazakhs from China.
External links
- [1] - Pop version Kara Jorga music video
- [2] - traditional version performed along with dombyra instrument.
References
- ↑ Ayagan, Burkitbay (2004). Kazakh Encyclopedia K-M. Главная редакция "Қазақ энциклопедиясы". ISBN 9965974640. Search this book on
- ↑ Vsevolodskaya-Golushkevich, Olga (1988). Five Kazakh Dances. Almaty: Oner. Search this book on
- ↑ Clark, Milton J. (1954). ""How the Kazakhs Fled to Freedom."". National Geographic Magazine: 634.
- ↑ Lillis, Joanna. "Kazakhs Dance Themselves Dizzy". eurasianet. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
- ↑ "Largest Kara-Zhorga dance". Guinness World Records.
- ↑ Abirov, Dauren (1961). Kazakh Folk Dances. Almaty. p. 66. Search this book on
- ↑ Sarynova, Lydia (2002). International Encyclopedia of Dance. New York: Oxford University Press. Search this book on
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