The Zhange Band of the Ordos Folk Song and Dance Theater wins first place in the morin khuur ensemble category at the 1st China Inner Mongolia Morin Khuur Festival, which was held in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from Aug 16 to Sept 8. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordos Folk Song and Dance Theater]

A band from Ordos emerged victorious at the 1st China Inner Mongolia Morin Khuur Festival, which was held in Hohhot, capital of Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from Aug 16 to Sept 8.

The morin khuur, also known as the horsehead fiddle, is a traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument. It is one of the most important Mongolian musical instruments, and is considered a symbol of the Mongolian ethnic group. The morin khuur has been named among the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. 

The festival, sponsored by the Inner Mongolia government and the Inner Mongolia Academy of Arts, attracted more than 200 top morin khuur players from China, Mongolia, the Republic of Tuva, and the Republic of Buryatia. 

In the end, the Zhange Band of the Ordos Folk Song and Dance Theater won first place in the morin khuur ensemble category; Chaogebayaer, a performer from the Uxin Banner Morin Khuur Symphony Orchestra, won third place in the solo category; and the Uxin Banner Morin Khuur Symphony Orchestra was honored with the Excellent Organization Award.

A first-place certificate is granted to the Zhange Band of the Ordos Folk Song and Dance Theater at the 1st China Inner Mongolia Morin Khuur Festival. [Photo/WeChat account of Ordos Folk Song and Dance Theater]