In the Indigenous Siberian band Otyken’s new music video, “Belief,” the folk-pop group partakes in a midday rave dance party—only the members are playing traditional instruments, such as morin khuurs, jaw harps, and big hand drums, while dressed in their traditional embroidered or fur-clad attire. “Our appearance is very important,” says lead singer Azyan of their striking looks. “People who happen to find our music from our photos and videos can form the right impression of us. It’s hard to perceive folk music without visualizing it.” Who exactly is this intriguing (and well-dressed) group of rising performers?
Otyken is fast becoming one of Russia’s most exciting musical acts. The group, founded in 2015, hails from Russia’s Krasnoyarsk region. They formed thanks to Andrey Medonos—the director of Krasnoyarsk’s museum of ethnography—who had the idea of putting together a group to highlight Indigenous Siberian culture. Today, all group members embody a diverse mix of Russian backgrounds, including musicians and singers of Chulym, Selkup, Ket, Dolgan, and Khakass descent.
Through their music, Otyken champions elements of their culture in modern, unexpected ways. Many of the band’s songs are sung in their native languages, which they enjoy juxtaposing against more contemporary—and dance-heavy—beats. Cue an unlikely sonic combination that, somehow, totally works. “In the early years, we only produced traditional music,” says Azyan. “Later we thought about how to bring our voice and culture to a wider audience. We [try] to retransmit Siberian folk music through modern sounds.”
The group’s recent singles perfectly exemplify how they’re pushing traditional Siberian culture forward. In “Legend,” the group jams out to a mix of hand instruments and club-worthy synths while singing in their native Khakas language. Many of their lyrics also nod back to Siberian landscapes or old folklore tales. “We use everything new and modern, as well as the well-forgotten old,” says Azyan. In “Altay,” the group collaborated with Dutch DJ Ummet Ozcan to release a track that spotlights an unsung part of Russia. “We wanted to sing a song about the northern region of Siberia, Chukotka, to support this region and its Indigenous peoples,” says Azyan. “This is the most remote and hard-to-reach place in Siberia. We wanted to tell the whole world about this place. There are a lot of beautiful, fabulous, and exciting things to see.”
Equally as impactful as their music, meanwhile, are the culturally rooted fashions that Otyken sports for their performances and music videos. The members make most of their distinctive ensembles, referencing traditional Siberian garments worn for centuries. (The headdresses and hats are made using mammoth trunks, wolf fangs, or bear claws.) “Our group is multinational, and this is reflected in our stage image,” says Azyan. “We present a collective image of the Indigenous peoples of Siberia. We use [clothing], jewelry, and patterns from different local sources, from fairy tales to books and museums.”
The group makes modern alterations to some looks, mainly in the form of accessories and silhouettes. A central element of their look is the Khakas pogo, a bib-style necklace made of coins, beads, and shells. “We have also shortened traditional Siberian dresses a bit to perform comfortably in hot regions and countries,” says Azyan. “We usually do this at home, between concerts, in our free time.”
As Otyken’s star continues to rise, the group’s powerful music—and wardrobe—is now going on the road, and the group recently performed at the Hozo festival in Vietnam. “It was an amazing show,” says Azyan. “We were asked to sing the new track, ‘Belief,’ as an encore. The audience was delighted.” Later this month, the group will debut a remix of the track, made in collaboration with the American rapper Xzibit. “We will also release a joint music video,” Azyan teases. “The music and lyrics are a perfect blend of hip-hop style. This is the most unusual and spontaneous collaboration ever.” We can’t wait.