Orteke: unique Kazakh musical puppet art
Orteke is a unique Kazakh musical puppet art that combines music, crafts, and theatrical elements. Its central image is a wooden figurine of a mountain goat (tau-teke), mounted on a special drum or platform.
The puppet is brought to life using thin threads connected to the fingers of the dombra player. When the musician plays a vibrant kui, every movement of their hands is transmitted to the puppet, which begins to jump and dance to the precise rhythm of the melody, turning the performance into a true spectacle.
The origins of orteke go back centuries and are closely linked to nomadic life and the cult of the mountain goat as a symbol of agility and vitality. It is believed that this art form originally imitated the behavior of wild animals caught in a hunting trap (the word "or" means "pit" or "ditch"). The performer's unique skill lies in simultaneously controlling the complex technique of playing the dombra and directing the doll's movements, creating the illusion of its independent dancing. In 2022, this unique art form was officially inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
