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Otaņķu etnogrāfiskais ansamblis - "Situ koku pie kociņa"

Otaņķi Ethnographic Ensemble

The polyphony of southern Kurzeme, which is characterized by a special rhythm and harmony, has been preserved to the present day by the singers of Nīca, Bārta and Otaņķi. These traditions have been passed down from generation to generation, keeping the historical cultural heritage of this region alive. Ensembles such as this, which participate in family celebrations and seasonal festivals with a special focus on singing, are a symbol not only of unity and belonging through music but also through community. Southern Kurzeme, which was known in the 20th century for its distinctive singing style, today serves as an example of how intergenerational collaboration sustains and develops traditional music-making. The singers in these local ethnographic ensembles participate in festivals, strengthen the local community and maintain cultural links between people of different ages.

The song “Situ koku pie kocīna” (I strike one stick against another) is an example of the polyphonic singing that is typical of the southern Kurzeme region. The best-known genre of this traditional form of singing is a musical cycle consisting of a garais sauciens (or ‘long call’, drone polyphony) and a leitis (or ‘Lithuanian’, homophonic polyphony). This kind of singing was once enjoyed on warm spring and summer evenings, when people met after farm work. The Otaņķi ensemble’s latest album, Nīcas garais sauciens un leiši is dedicated specifically to this tradition.