Dorjpagma Batsaikhan
Interpretation on Hunnu Rock | Is The HU’s folk metal smash hit reinventing Mongolian identity?
Introduction The HU is a Mongolian folk metal band founded in 2016. Three years ago they posted their music video for their track “Yuve Yuve Yu'' on YouTube which became a smash hit with around 47 million views and today they reached the international status of a most successful folk metal band. The metal music world is praising their sudden rise out of nowhere, and emphasizing their way of connecting with the crowd though the band does not sing in English. In November 2019, the president of Mongolia awarded them with “Chinggis Khaan'' medal, the highest state honor for their contribution in representing and advertising Mongolian culture through their “Hunnu rock” music. Visually, their image ostensibly resembles Mongol warriors with long braided hair and leather armor costume. Most of their lyrics are adapted from folklores, oral tales and often propels nationalist sentimentalism. Along with The HU’s sudden rise into the music world, Mongolia had become enticing for the international fans with all the majestic histories and unfamiliarity. In this paper, I’ll throw light on to what extent their music is inviting the implication of Mongolian identity, by analyzing their musical context.
Hunnu Rock The band consists of four members all of which are professional folk musicians. They play custom made traditional instruments: horse-head fiddle (morin khuur - two string fiddle with horsehair and horse-head carving), Mongolian guitar (tovshuur), and Jew’s harp (tumur khuur). Creating intricately unique, yet strikingly heavy rock metal visual image, carvings of the horse-head fiddle and Mongolian guitar hints at their intention to combine traditional elements with a modern twist. With long braided hair, leather outfits and edgy accessories, the band members’ image depicts how ancient Mongol warriors would look 63
