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Special Guests Tuvan shaman shares ritual music at Damanhur
Special Guests Tuvan shaman shares ritual music at Damanhur
Tuvan shaman Nikolay Oorzhak and Valdislav Matreitsky, Oorzhak's assistant and Russian-English translator, came to visit and present their cultural traditions. The Tuvan people number about 400,000 and live in the mountains of central Asia in Russia and Mongolia. A strong shamanic tradition is alive in Tuva.
After visiting the Temples of Humankind, the two guests gave a ceremonial public presentation of Tuvan throat singing and music at the Damanhur Crea conference center, with deeply resonant voices accompanied by rhythmic drumming and the sounds of traditional instruments. The shaman recounted, "Only two elements have kept up the life and spirit of my people over the centuries, our songs and the capacity to heal people and animals. This evening, I present both of these experiences to you." He explained that Tuvan singing requires tremendous energy and discipline.
After visiting the Temples of Humankind, the two guests gave a ceremonial public presentation of Tuvan throat singing and music at the Damanhur Crea conference center, with deeply resonant voices accompanied by rhythmic drumming and the sounds of traditional instruments. The shaman recounted, "Only two elements have kept up the life and spirit of my people over the centuries, our songs and the capacity to heal people and animals. This evening, I present both of these experiences to you." He explained that Tuvan singing requires tremendous energy and discipline.
The shaman Oorzhak offered his deep gratitude to Damanhurians for creating the Temples of Humankind. "When I was young," said Nikolay, "I had a dream about going to the top of a mountain and reaching spiritual heights through my singing. Now, I believe I could live this dream inside the mountain instead of above it," referring to the underground Temples. After the performance, Damanhurians surprised the guests with a tribute, offering traditional Damanhurian music and Sacred Dance.
The Tuvans also performed music in the Temples of Humankind. Oorzhak presented the first piece dressed in ritual dress associated with totem animals - the eagle and the owl. He explained that the opening song must always be new, to connect with the moment and open contact with the energies present. He dedicated the song to the Damanhurians, for our health, happiness and the realization of our dreams. During their two-day visit, Nikolay and Vladislav also had the occasion to make music in communion with an avocado tree in a Music of the Plants duet in the Sacred Woods.During a visit to the site of the Temple of Peoples, the shaman said that he would happy to be depicted in the new Temple as representative of his people, with ceremonial dress and the traditional musical instrument called the Igil. Upon return to Tuva, he shall consult with his people about the particularities of dress, objects and symbols to be included in the portrait. While at the site of the future Temple, he offered a propitiation ceremony, using voice and the sound of the Igil. Nikolay intends to continue our collaboration and contact, and he expressed the intention to speak about Damanhur everywhere he shall travel, out of a sense of profound appreciation and gratitude for what he has experienced here.
