Udmurt culture has many important aspects, but perhaps one of the most important is their music. As my host dad repeatedly told me, "The Udmurt people are a singing people". Music goes hand in hand with song, and thus plays a crucial role in Udmurt society. While we were in Russia, we had the chance to see a variety of Udmurt music performances.
To honor them, Sam learned the Russian Anthem and played it in the Tchaikovsky House. I think my host father summed it up pretty well, when he said later in the trip at another performance of Sam's, how special it was to have an American boy playing the Russian national anthem while researching Udmurt culture. He believed, as I think we all do, that such a blending of cultures and interests is one of the most beautiful things in the world.
To honor them, Sam learned the Russian Anthem and played it in the Tchaikovsky House. I think my host father summed it up pretty well, when he said later in the trip at another performance of Sam's, how special it was to have an American boy playing the Russian national anthem while researching Udmurt culture. He believed, as I think we all do, that such a blending of cultures and interests is one of the most beautiful things in the world.
Village Festival
Early on in the trip, we attended a birthday celebration for a nearby village. At the celebration, there were many things to do, but the highlight of the party was the music. The village grandmothers got up on stage to sing and dance to a few songs.
Early on in the trip, we attended a birthday celebration for a nearby village. At the celebration, there were many things to do, but the highlight of the party was the music. The village grandmothers got up on stage to sing and dance to a few songs.
Ozh Purga
Later on in the trip, we visited the rural village of Ozh Purga. As soon as we got off the bus, we were greeted with song from all the children and a freshly baked loaf of bread.
Before dinner, we sat down in the theater to watch the men of the area perform a traditional dance. Amidst an accordion player or two, there were bunches of men dancing up on the stage. We found out later that this group was not requested to perform, but when they heard we were coming to learn about Udmurt culture, they showed up and gave us quite the performance!
The highlight of the night was the party after dinner. We played games with music in the background. My favorite game was when you locked elbows with a friend and then proceeded to run through a pair of arms across the circle from you. The group you ran through then had to do the same to someone else, and so on. The game continued until the music stopped and then whoever was still in the middle had to perform an impromptu dance.
Later on in the trip, we visited the rural village of Ozh Purga. As soon as we got off the bus, we were greeted with song from all the children and a freshly baked loaf of bread.
Before dinner, we sat down in the theater to watch the men of the area perform a traditional dance. Amidst an accordion player or two, there were bunches of men dancing up on the stage. We found out later that this group was not requested to perform, but when they heard we were coming to learn about Udmurt culture, they showed up and gave us quite the performance!
The highlight of the night was the party after dinner. We played games with music in the background. My favorite game was when you locked elbows with a friend and then proceeded to run through a pair of arms across the circle from you. The group you ran through then had to do the same to someone else, and so on. The game continued until the music stopped and then whoever was still in the middle had to perform an impromptu dance.
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Udmurt Goodbye Song
On our last night in Zavyalovo, each family had to create a performance. My family decided to do a song. So my host father picked one out of this comprehensive tome of Udmurt folk songs. I really enjoyed singing the song. I don't know the exact translation, but I believe it is about saying goodbye and how it can be sad, but also it encourages looking on the bright side as well. You can watch us sing in the video below.
On our last night in Zavyalovo, each family had to create a performance. My family decided to do a song. So my host father picked one out of this comprehensive tome of Udmurt folk songs. I really enjoyed singing the song. I don't know the exact translation, but I believe it is about saying goodbye and how it can be sad, but also it encourages looking on the bright side as well. You can watch us sing in the video below.
-Noah A.