Russian Throat
🛑 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Russian Throat
Folk music is not boring (and neither is it sad). And the ethno ‘hits’ of the following musicians from Siberia and the Urals even get young people into the groove at parties, and not only in Russia.
We've got more than 2,4 million followers on Facebook.
Join them!
Russia Beyond is a media project of the independent non-commercial organization "TV-Novosti", 2022. © All rights reserved.
Have you ever heard of the khoomei throat singing technique? It's an indigenous form of singing widespread among the peoples of Altai and Mongolia. The uniqueness of the technique lies in producing not one but two pitches from the larynx (voice box) simultaneously, usually imitating nature - from the sound of the howling wind and rustling foliage, to the cries of cranes and the bellowing of bulls. Contemporary Altai musicians often use khoomei in their songs and also create cover versions of Western rock hits, mixing folk and dance music.
The musician from the Tuva Republic makes cool remixes of popular hits - just listen to his version of Numb by rock band Linkin Park!
“I like making mixes with throat singing and creating something new - not just cover versions, but original songs. Throat singing is a very significant part of our people’s culture,” he told Russian media.
And here is his cover version of the song Rolling in the Deep by Adele.
In addition, Alex gives masterclasses on the technique of throat singing on his YouTube channel. Very useful for anyone who wants to give it a try!
In the Tuvan language, the band's name means “sunlight splitting into many diverging rays in the clouds”. They perform Altai folk music using the throat singing technique to the accompaniment of traditional musical instruments, including a shaman’s buben [drum]. It is one of the best known Russian ethno bands in the world.
He is known as “the shaman DJ”. Tyurgen from Chelyabinsk is indeed a hereditary shaman and performs traditional rituals. He also often performs electronic dance music mixed with ethnic melodies, throat singing and his own frantic energy on music platforms in the Urals. Dance, everyone!
Female throat singers are incredibly rare. Chyltys is self-taught. She had narrators of epic folktales in the family, so singing is a kind of continuation of that family tradition for her.
“For me it is a physical need, not some personal desire; it is something that is born inside me and is beyond my control,” she says .
She sings about her people and culture. She also writes the lyrics and the music herself. Incidentally, the name in her passport is Olga, but, after she was involved in a road accident, she adopted the name Chyltys, which means “star” in the Shor language (spoken by Shors, an ethnic minority in Siberia - RB).
The musician from Gorno-Altaysk named after the Russian bogatyr (Eng; “heroic warrior”) Dobrynya performs music based on traditional epic Altai tales. “My instrument is called the topshur, which is usually associated with the kaichi - a narrator of epic Altai folktales. The topshur helps the storyteller go into a kind of trance. We have very long epic tales. Prior to narrating them, a performer asks the instrument to help him and then the topshur carries them away to another world,” Dobrynya Satin once said in a documentary about the indigenous Altai peoples.
Just listen to how khoomei sounds in Dobrynya's contemporary interpretation!
If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.
Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox
This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.
If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Videos you watch may be added to the TV's watch history and influence TV recommendations. To avoid this, cancel and sign in to YouTube on your computer.
An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later.
0:03 / 2:50 • Watch full video Live
Watch ads now so you can enjoy fewer interruptions
Critic of Russian leader Putin has throat slit in hotel room a day after fleeing
We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Keep up to date with all the latest news
We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.
Blogger Imran Aliev, who spoke out against Russian President Vladamir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, was found with his throat cut and multiple stab wounds in his chest in a hotel room in Lille
A critic of the Russian president has had his throat slit in what police are describing as a "politically motivated" attack.
Imran Aliev suffered multiple wounds to his chest and had his throat cut in a hotel room in France.
The 44-year-old's body a found on the ground with a bloodied knife lying next to it.
Working under the pseudonym of Manur Stariy or Old Manure, Aliev had written blog posts and made Youtube videos lambasting Vladamir Putin and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.
Aliev had moved to Belgium from Chechnya, where the Putin backed government has been accused or murdering and torturing dozens of people.
His body was discovered by a manager of Coq Hardi Hotel on January 30 after he failed to check out.
Aliev had gone with his Chechen travelling companion from Belgium, where he was under police protection, to Lille.
He had told his wife and four children that he was heading to France "on business".
The travelling companion has not been seen since.
A senior French police official said: "(Aliev) left Belgium Wednesday (Jan 29) where he was under police protection because of threats out of Russia and Chechnya over his opposition blogging.
"He was accompanied by another Chechen, who we have tentatively identified based on his travel documents.
"Obviously, considering Aliev's history and previous threats, we need to strongly examine the possibility of a state intelligence service in this murder.
"We are collecting and analyzing evidence from travel patterns, electronic intercepts, and other investigative tools at our disposal."
Since January 2009 13 other critics of the regime have been assassinated, either in Russia or abroad.
Umar Israilov was just 26 when he was gunned down in Vienna, nine years before Sergie and Yulia Skripal were targeted with nerve agent in Salisbury.
Former Chechen rebel commander Zelimkhan Khangoshvili was shot dead in 2019 in Berlin park, leading to the expulsion of two Russian diplomats.
Get email updates with the day's biggest stories
About Us
Blog
Free Resources
Support
1-800-567-9619
Thank you! Please check your inbox for your confirmation email. You must click the link in the email to verify your request.
Try it Free
Find it at your Library
© 2022 Transparent Language, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
© 2022 Transparent Language, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Blogs.transparent.com stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you. We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience, as well as for analytics and metrics about our visitors - both on this website and other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy .
If you decline, your information won’t be tracked when you visit this website. A single cookie will be used in your browser to remember your preference not to be tracked.
When you are lost for words, especially if we are talking about foreign words, it is pretty common to resort to gestures. With this in mind, I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to shed some light on the most common Russian gestures. The information on their origin seems to be pretty conflicting. However, the meaning of these gestures is pretty well established. The article that I decided to use as the main reference point provides a pretty good collection of urban myths on the subject as well as a professional opinion: Yulia Nikolaeva , Professor of Linguistics at Moscow State University, tries to refute or confirm the popular myths.
К у киш, also ф и га, д у ля or шиш (thumb tucked in between your index and middle finger)
This gesture is quite popular in Russia. The most common version is that it was introduced to the Russians by the German expats. The German language has a popular saying “fick-fick machen” which means “having sex.” This gesture was used by Germans in an attempt to seduce Russian women. Russian women adopted the gesture, but with the exact opposite meaning; by using this gesture they were conveying that you get no sex. Over time the gesture became very common. Modern meaning implies “you get nothing,” whatever it is you are asking for. Nikolaeva seems to agree with this version.
“Коз а” – sign of the horns (index finger and little finger pointing up)
This gesture existed in the Russian culture for centuries. The most common version says that originally the symbol was used for protection against evil spirits. In the last few decades, “new Russians” (a cliché used to describe rich Russians who rapidly accumulated their wealth through mostly questionable means) gave the gesture a new meaning; if someone is trying to look successful and cool, they might utilize this gesture to communicate the idea that they are “all that and a bag of chips.”
Another group of people who are fond of using this gesture in Russia are the rock/metal music followers. In this case the gesture carries pretty much the same meaning it has in the US and Western Europe, which is…? My point exactly! Nobody can clearly define what it means anymore. According to popular belief, the gesture was introduced to the metal world by Ronnie James Dio after he joined Black Sabbath.
Бить себ я кулак о м в грудь (to hit yourself in the chest with your fist)
One of the versions of this gesture’s origin goes back to the times of Mongol-Tatar Yoke. Supposedly, the nomads expressed their loyalty to their lords by hitting themselves in the chest. Nikolaeva doubts accuracy of this theory referring to the fact that the French also utilize this gesture. Contemporary meaning of this Russian gesture is pretty much the same: by hitting yourself in the chest you express loyalty to a person, vouch for accuracy of yours or someone else’s words, swear that you are telling the truth or promise to deliver. Interestingly enough, I have noticed the presence of a similar gesture in hip-hop culture. I wonder if there is any connection between the two?
Рвать на груд и руб а ху (to rip your shirt open)
According to popular belief, this gesture stems from the desire to show the cross as a symbol of Christian faith. The reason behind showing the cross is to communicate honesty and sincerity, somewhat like saying “I swear to God!” Yulia Nikolaeva seems to support this version.
Щелч о к по ш е е (a flick on the neck)
The origin of this gesture is, perhaps, the most controversial. The most common belief is that it appeared in times of Peter the Great. Supposedly, there was a very talented carpenter or some other sort of craftsman who did some very impressive work for Peter I. In return Peter gave him a letter of privilege, which allowed him to drink free of charge anywhere for the rest of his life. At some point, the craftsman lost the letter; to keep the privilege in effect, he was branded by czar’s officials (on the side of his neck) . Upon entering a bar, the guy would flick himself on the brand, which meant that he is entitled to drink for free. In today’s Russia, everyone knows that a flick on the throat is an invitation to drink.
«Джентельм е ны уд а чи» ( Gentlemen of Good Luck) is a classic Russian comedy that happens to show most of the described gestures in action. Give it a try!
Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.
Born in Russia, I spent the first twenty years of my life in Orenburg, Russia and Mogilev, Belarus. For the last eleven years, I've lived in New Hampshire and Michigan, US. While I continue to absorb and adapt to American culture, I am always thrilled to share my Russian heritage with those who find it interesting. Travel, photography and art play a special part in my life. Twitter: @iamnx2u
Interesting history of Кукиш. The meaning of this gesture has been a point of disagreement between my wife (who’s from Crimea) and myself. Her position is the same as here in the article. Mine – not so much
A few years ago, I was listening to a podcast lecture on the history of Russia, done by a professor from (I think) Indiana University. In the lecture on the liberation of the serfs, he relates a story of a female serf, who, upon learning of her freedom, leaves the plantation where she was working. Her last act before leaving was to face the house of her former lord/master and make the Кукиш sign. Since then, I’ve equated this sign with the American use of the middle finger.
@Bob Thank you for sharing Bob!
Very interesting story. I have not come across this one before We’ll probably never know for sure how these gestures came about, but it is certainly amusing to comb through all the versions that are available
I think it’s “Fick-fick machen” (or simply Fick machen) not what you have. Or you can simply use the verb ficken,
The Wikipedia page you linked to transliterates it thus, without the “Л”:
«фик-фик махен» («fick-fick machen»),
Steve, you are correct! My German is not quite as good as my English
Also, as far as I understand, the Кукиш sign (or a slight variation thereof) is sometimes used in Turkey. The meaning there is more like the good ole’ raised middle finger.
Thank you for this. I am venezuelan but always loved Russia and always interested in russian stuff. I’ve become more familiar with its customs through russian friends and the russian wife of one of my venezuelan friends. You will be suprised on how similar is our sense of humor and drinking customs.
@Rommel Thank you Rommel,
I would love to visit Venezuela one day. It is nice to know that we have some things in common with your people :-).
Thank you for this interesting piece about the Russian culture. I’m from Brazil and except by the “flick on the neck” we have all these gestures here with these same meanings. Anyway I never searched for their origins. From now on I’ll use that invitation to drink )
@Cristiano Steffens Thank you everyone for the feedback! Nice to know learn about the similarities in other cultures!
What a great article! I lived in Russia and Belarus for about 3 years and until now never got such a clear explanation of the figa – and was completely clueless as to the other gestures aside from “flicking the neck”. Thank you!
Is this the only site you write for?
The term “fick fick machen” does not exist in German language at all. It doesn’t mean anything nor does it make sense. However, we have the verb “ficken”, which is pretty vulgar though and simply means to “f***”.
q. Saw this gesture in as movie (Eastern Promises). What does two fingers jabbed in the neck mean? (index and middle finger)
Hello Jenya, Do young Russians today know, or ever do the “two fingered V sign”. The reverse “peace sign”, which in Britain and American means contempt?
I am surprised no one helped you out with the “sign of the horns.” It is very common in the U.S. and all English-speaking countries. It is known as the “metal salute.” It references it’s frequent use in heavy metal music. Why?
It is the Sign of the Beast! In making this gesture, your hand is making the horns of the Devil (which any metal fan will tell you, Satan is AWESOME). You are also making three number “6” shapes with your fingers. 6-6-6. Get it? Black Sabbath…Satan… metal music loves those kinds of symbols. It has really lost any true Satanic references, and now just means “you rock!”
So metal salute your friends whenever you want to tell them you think something is awesome, especially any hard rocking music. But you probably don’t want to use this gesture around any conservative Christians. They’re kinda uptight about this one.
Hi. I am an author writing a book about a woman photographer who went to Russia in the early 1930s to photograph the results of Russia’s Five Year Plan.
I need to know what gesture means “No” or “Forget it” or I won’t do it.”
I’m Deaf and use American Sign Language. It’s very interesting to see Sign from “hearing” and another country! But the pulling of the shirt to open–I thought that was an aggressive sign, like, the gorilla pounding his chest or saying “I’m an alpha male–see the hair on my chest?” LOL.
Top 100 Little Girls Taboo
New Full Porn Move Action Prody
Chubby Girls Solo