This publication, which continues the series of books on Udmurt folklore, aims to combine examples of the song tradition, and provide a general overview, of the musical and folkloric heritage of the Eastern diaspora, if possible.
As with all previous collections in the series, this volume is structured according to local and genre principles. The primary source of information was the expedition reports conducted in Baltachevo, Buraevo, Kaltasy, Tatyshly, and Yanaul districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan between 2016 and 2023.
The participants, Nikolai Anisimov and the ethnomusicologist Ekaterina Sofronova, collected samples of songs and melodies performed on the accordion in 18 Udmurt villages in Bashkortostan. These villages include Andreevka, Barabanovka, Kaymashabash, Stary Varyash, Shudek in Yanaul district, Verkhnebaltachevo, Malaya Balzuga, Petropavlovka, Stary Kyzyl-Yar, Aribashevo, Vyazovka, Starokalmiyarovo, Nizhnebaltachevo, Novye Tatyshly, Urazgildy in Tatyshly district, Asavka in Baltachevo district, Kasiyarovo in Buraevo district, and Bolshekachakovo in Kaltasy district.
In terms of genre, this collection mainly includes guest songs (in various terminologies), both original (the Tatar and Russian) and those translated into the Udmurt language. The songs include wedding, funeral, recruitment, and several examples of calendar tunes (budjyn-nal kui/gui; verva/verba kistyr/verva kistyk/vervastyk/vervachyk/buzjynnal bashlan kui; oshorok takmakyos / kui; vei kui; gondyr ektyton). Labor songs such as the chant of the alloy of logs (pur kelyan kul) and the chant performed during sowing (kizyon dyrya gui) are also included. Furthermore, there are non-ritual songs, including lyrical, descriptive, playful, humorous, and ditty-like compositions
