Morin Khuur, the Mongolian Horse-Head Fiddle

The making and playing of the Morin Khuur, or Mongolian Horse-Head Fiddle, is an art falling away in the modern world, but this film traces the efforts of old teachers and instrument makers to pass on their arts to a younger generation.

Embedded in the arts is a whole way of looking at the world, which sees everything as related, and honoured, and nothing is done outside of its story-telling background, which explains the mythological origin of the instrument, and its especial relationship to the all-important horse.

Four young children, two boys and two girls, go from the city to the steppes to learn how to play this instrument, and an old instrument teacher teaches his grandson how to make them. Along the way we learn about the lore surrounding the fiddle and the respect with which it is to be treated.

It is also considered one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and indeed it is this UN body which is sponsoring the making of the fiddle and the performances that are put on by the children at the end.