Монгол бий биелэгийн дохио зангын зарим тайлал

Some Interpretations of Gestures and Moves of Mongolian Ethnodance

Abstract

In a study of gestures and moves of ethnodance, it was found that not only its origin and amorphy are derived from rituals of ancient religion and magical cure, but also certain moves have still been retained in folk games and several dance types.

The examples include games involving bodily movements and gestures such as, “Tsagaan mod orkhih” /Literally translated as ‘Throwing white stick,’ a game in which a stick is thrown out somewhere and people have to find it /, “Tarwagatsah” /Literally translated as ‘Playing as marmots,’ a game in which one plays as a wolf and others as marmots/ etc and such ritual dances as “Ud mod taikh” / Shamanic ritual where one set a willow tree and tie it with Tsalam strings and ask for goodluck/ and “Andai devsel” /a dance in which dancers hold colored strips of cloth in their both hands and when one singer sings others sing along while dancing/. As a religious ritual, their intensive repetitions of moves are believed to be merged with mantra rituals, represent methods of getting rid of any kind of limitations by its gestures and identify the nature as well as external qualities of the world we live in, in effect forming a comprehensive remedy of taming any evil spirit or malignity.