Huun-Huur-Tu

The Tuva people live in the mountains of central Asia, in southwestern Siberia and north of Mongolia. Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the music of these nomadic people. According to their animistic beliefs, they live in deep awe of their natural habitat. From taiga to vast plains, roaring rivers or quiet streams and galloping horses. They imitate these natural phenomena with their specially developed khöömei singing techniques, with which they produce two tones at the same time: a high whistle (sigit) and a deep bass tone (kargiraa: ode to the mountains).

For years the Soviets tried to erase identities of the many ethnic peoples, but founders of HHT Sayan Bapa and Kaigal-ool Khovalyg managed to hold out. After the fall of the iron curtain, the Siberian country of Tuva was slowly opened up to the rest of the world and it is thanks to the Dutch musicologist and label owner Bernhard Kleikamp (Pan Records) that the new “Ensemble Tuva”, forerunner of HHT, made their first international tour. Prestigious concert halls and festivals around the world followed suit.