Sabjilar

"Sabjilar" - "the messengers" - is a Khakas (South Siberia) folklore group, performing traditional heroic epics that recall the Khyrgys (Khakas) Khanate from the 6th to the 12th century. They further play old nomad songs from the steppes, hunter's songs from the mountain taiga, and new improvisations on the chatkhan, the typical national instrument. The repertoire is rich in various styles of throat singing - khay.

To sing the old songs more authentically was the reason for forming the group in October 1997. It consists of:

1. Anna Burnakova (1978):
vocals, khobrakh (shepherd's flute from the steppe), timir khomys (mouth harp), various percussion instruments, including the tüür (shaman's drum).

2. Sergey Charkov (1963):
2 styles of khay, chatkhan (12-stringed zither), yykh (2-stringed horse fiddle), syylas (flute from the taiga).

3. Vyatcheslav Kuchenov (1969):
3 styles of khay, chatkhan, khomys (3-stringed plucked instrument), müüs yykh (horn fiddle).

The group performed at the German Festival "Stimmen" in 1998, and at the London City Festival and the Norwegian Riddu-Riddu Festival in 2000. In October 1999, Sabjilar, together with Pure Nature Music, produced its first album, titled "Syr Chöme" - "leading arrow".

To contact the group or to purchase the CD, look at: http://www.purenaturemusic.com/
or write Vyatcheslav Kuchenov directly: aycharkh@hotmail.com