The Mongolian traditional art of Khöömei

UNESCO: Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 2010 URL: Description: Khöömei is a form of singing originating in western Mongolia, in the Altai mountains. The performer imitates sounds of nature, simultaneously emitting two distinct vocal sounds: along with a continuous drone, the singer produces a melody of harmonics. Khöömei literally means pharynx, and it is believed to have been learned from birds, whose spirits are central to sh