A unique group promoting national heritage has formed at the Active Longevity Center in the Saryshyk district of Astana. The ethno-folklore ensemble Tumar, established in October 2025, has quickly found its audience and earned warm appreciation from the public.
Today, the ensemble’s repertoire includes around ten folk songs, among them rarely performed pieces such as Tobylgy Sai, Qalqataidyn Dauysy-ai, and Qogaly-ai. The performers’ favorite is the third version of the folk song Abaikók.
Currently, the Tumar ensemble brings together 18 retirees. The members play traditional instruments including the dombra, kobyz, kylkobyz, zhetygen, shankobyz, dauylpaz, and sazsyrnai, as well as percussion and wind instruments. The senior participants learn to perform traditional folk songs and master national musical instruments. The oldest member of the ensemble, 80-year-old Aliya Aitzhanova, plays the sazsyrnai.
“The name Tumar was not chosen by chance. In folk tradition, a tumar is an amulet, a sacred symbol of protection. Our goal is to preserve national art, revive forgotten folk songs, and pass them on to future generations,” says ensemble leader Gulfiya Abdullazhankyzy.
The ensemble, made up of talented and enthusiastic retirees, is constantly engaged in creative exploration and pays special attention to selecting its repertoire. The group also actively participates in city cultural events.
The ensemble’s artistic director is professional musician Gulfiya Shagrayeva, a graduate of the Almaty State Conservatory. She shapes the creative direction of the group and inspires its members in their artistic journey.
