Troupe takes root in prairie

Members of the Togtoh Ulan Muqir from Togtoh county prepare for a performance at a grazing site in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo by Lian Zhen/Xinhua]

Songs and dances reflecting the herdsman's life entertain those living in Inner Mongolia's remotest areas. It was the middle of the afternoon, but the herdsmen stopped their work and gathered for the arrival of the Ulan Muqir, or Red Bud Troupe.

Ulan Muqir is the Mongolian name for a troupe that travels from one grazing site to another, performing for herdsmen who live in some of China's most remote areas. Since it was formed in 1957 in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, generations of performers have sung and danced for herdsmen and taken root in the prairie.

This time, Ulan Muqir was set to perform in Xar Moron township in Inner Mongolia's Chifeng.

"I am so excited that they have finally come. Ulan Muqir's performances are my favorite," said Tumendelger, a herdsmen.

Yilan, 83, a first-generation Ulan Muqir performer, still remembers when the first Ulan Muqir formed.

"It was June 17, 1957. We gave our first performance in the Sunite Right Banner in Xilingol League. So many herdsmen came to watch our performance. The blue sky was our curtain and the grassland our stage," she said. "The herdsmen were so happy－they sang and danced with us and didn't want to leave."

According to Yilan, as herdsmen lived in prairies far from the city, they did not have books, newspapers or radios, or access to folk art.

"But they had the need, and that was why we formed the first Ulan Muqir," she said. "At that time, we only had a gramophone, two gas lamps, several musical instruments and a few costumes."

Yilan said that nine members of the troupe traveled more than 3,000 kilometers in the following two months, bringing over 30 performances to herdsmen living deep in the prairies.

The troupe rode horses in summer and camels in winter.

An Ulan Muqir performer dances at a folk festival. [Photo by Lian Zhen/Xinhua]

"The road was often very bumpy," she said. "Despite the difficulties, we all felt very happy as the herdsmen and us were like a family. They treated us just like their children, with hospitality and the best food they had."

Not only did Ulan Muqir perform for the herdsmen, but they also helped them with shepherding, sheepshearing and mowing.

The troupe would bring a newspaper in Mongolian and read news to the herdsmen to help keep them informed about the country.

"In addition to the newspapers and books, we also took things they needed, such as medicine. We also did hairdressing or fixed clocks for them," said Jia Fengying, 49, who joined the Sunite Right Banner Ulan Muqir in 1983.

Sarinhua, 54, is a big fan of Ulan Muqir. "I take my children to watch Ulan Muqir performances every time they come to our village," she said.

"We now have radio and television, but we still prefer their performances because we can see our life in their songs and dances."

According to Mongh, head of the Sunite Right Banner Ulan Muqir, all the troupe performances are rooted in the herdsman's life.

"Ulan Muqir serves the herdsmen. This is essential to Ulan Muqir," he said.

Unin, 32, a dancer in the troupe, explained how they choreographed the milk dance.

"We went to the prairie and observed how herdsmen milked their animals. Every gesture must be real to reflect the herdsmen's lives," she said.

Inspired by her grandmother, who was also a Ulan Muqir performer, Unin joined Ulan Muqir about 10 years ago.

Thanks to transport improvements, the troupe now has vehicles, but things are not as easy as they seem.

"Once, the vehicle broke down halfway on a snowy day. It was freezing cold," she said. "But no one complained. We carried our musical instruments on our shoulders, and walked and sang happily all the way. Every Ulan Muqir performer is able to bear hardship."

Aside from performing, she also has a deep understanding of the spiritual significance of what the troupe are doing.

"Ulan Muqir performers are devoted and always have an attachment to the herdsmen and the prairie. It is a spirit that has been passed down from my grandma's generation to my generation," she said.