Manichean Liturgical Chants

In the early 20th century, in the Turfan oasis some manuscript fragments were discovered that belonged to the Iranian and Turkish Manichaean monasteries and churches of Central Asia.This study is oriented to analyze musical forms and notes as well as Manichaean musical instruments of Central Asia by reconstructing these various Manichaean manuscript fragments. Furthermore, it strives to clarify the origins of Manichaean hymns of Central Asia as much as possible. Hereby it is tried to distinguish Manichaean musical notation and to indicate the reading method of invocative texts in their churches.