The morin khuur—the Horse Head Fiddle—is one of Mongolia's most recognizable traditional musical instruments and symbols: a bridge between the nation and the horse, a tool that invokes the Khiimori, and much more.

Ethnomusicologist ⁠Kip Hutchins⁠, author of A Song for the Horses, breaks all of these aspects down. We speak with Kip about the morin khuur as a living tool in herding practice. Follow Kip on ⁠BlueSky⁠.

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And if you are a supporter of us at Buy Me Coffee, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Great State Mural⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can listen to extra recordings as we briefly discuss the current status of the MPP's infighting and how it came about.

Three Universals to “Defray Boasting“:

1. The foolish man praises himself.
2. The unfoolish man praises his wife.
3. The least foolish man praises his horse.

Show notes:

• New Book Networks podcast interview with KG Hutchins

  Artists mentioned during the conversation, roughly in order of their mention:

  • Story of the Weeping Camel (film)
  • ⁠Bayan Mongol Variety Group⁠: Жалам хар (A Black Horse)
  • The Hu
  • ⁠Soyol Erdene⁠
  • ⁠Altan Urag⁠
  • Bold: Mongol Pop
  • ⁠Aryuna Nimaeva⁠: Эрбэд соохор (Erbed Sokhor)
  • Jonon
  • ⁠Namgar⁠
  • ⁠Altai-Khangai⁠
  • ⁠Khusugtun⁠