About Zje
Зээ (Zje) /zeː/ → a long “eh” sound, like stretching the word “say” but without the “y” glide. Zje holds a special meaning in Mongolian culture, it represents the essence of sound and voice that connects people to nature, history, and their identity. For Mongolians, sound is not just noise; it’s a living expression of the vast steppe, the wind, horses’ gallops, and the human spirit. “Zje” embodies the natural harmony between humans and their environment, especially through traditional music and throat singing. It symbolizes the soul’s voice carried across the open land, preserving stories, emotions, and cultural heritage passed down through generations.
Zje is a Mongolian folk and world music ensemble based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2020 by siblings Anu-Ujin, Temuulen, and Temuujin Batbaatar. United by family and music, the group blends ancestral sounds with modern expression, bringing the soul of the Mongolian steppe to audiences across the United States.
Through instruments such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle), yochin (Mongolian dulcimer), tovshuur (two-stringed lute), and limbe (Mongolian side flute), along with the deep resonance of khöömii (Mongolian throat singing), Zje creates a sound that connects ancient traditions with contemporary emotion.
Since their formation, Zje Mongol has performed at leading venues and festivals including The Paramount Theatre, The Moore Theatre, Washington Hall, APCC Tacoma, Northwest Folklife, and Wintergrass Music Festival. Their performances take listeners on a journey through Mongolia’s vast landscapes, from the whispers of the Gobi wind to the thunder of galloping horses.
Zje’s mission is to preserve and share Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage through authentic performance and creative collaboration. By reimagining traditional sounds for today’s world, they build cross-cultural understanding and keep the spirit of nomadic artistry alive for future generations.
Meet the Members
Anu-Ujin Batbaatar
Musician, Cultural Ambassador, and Founder of Zje
Anu-Ujin Batbaatar is a Mongolian musician, composer, and cultural bridge-builder currently based in Seattle, Washington. She is the founder and artistic leader of Zje Mongol, a world-music ensemble that blends Mongolia’s ancient sounds with contemporary expression.
Since 2020, Anu-Ujin and her group have performed across Washington State and the Pacific Northwest, sharing the unique beauty of Mongolian throat singing (khöömei), the horsehead fiddle (morin khuur), and traditional folk melodies with diverse audiences. Under her leadership, Zje Mongol has organized five independent concerts and regularly participates in major regional festivals, cultural events, and collaborative performances.
Anu-Ujin’s mission is to preserve and reinterpret Mongolian heritage through music, connecting traditional roots with modern creativity. Her performances have been featured at venues such as the Moore Theatre, Washington Hall, and Asia Pacific Cultural Center, and have been covered by media outlets including the International Examiner, Mercer Island Reporter, NW Asian Weekly, and FOX 13 Seattle.
Beyond performing, Anu-Ujin actively teaches and mentors young musicians, helping them discover the spiritual and emotional depth of Mongolian music. She was recognized as a Master Artist by the Washington State Cultural Heritage Program for her contribution to preserving and sharing Mongolian culture in the United States.
Her two original albums, “Uuhai” and “Celestial,” are available on all major streaming platforms. These works reflect her vision: honoring Mongolia’s ancestral sound while speaking to today’s global audience.
Temuulen Batbaatar
Yochin, Mongolian Side-Blown Flute, and Khöömii Performer
Member of Zje
Temuulen Batbaatar is a Mongolian musician specializing in the yochin (hammered dulcimer), the Mongolian side-blown flute, and khöömii (throat singing). Based in Seattle, Washington, he is a core member of Zje Mongol, a world music ensemble dedicated to preserving and reimagining Mongolia’s traditional sound for global audiences.
Temuulen’s artistry brings together the shimmering resonance of the yochin, the meditative breath of the side-blown flute recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and the deep overtones of khöömii, one of Mongolia’s most distinctive vocal traditions. Through these instruments, he creates music that reflects the vast landscapes, harmony, and spiritual depth of Mongolian culture.
He has performed at renowned venues such as The Paramount Theatre, The Moore Theatre, Washington Hall, and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC). With Zje Mongol, Temuulen performs regularly across the Pacific Northwest, inspiring diverse audiences and promoting the beauty of Mongolian heritage through live music and cultural exchange.
Temuujin Batbaatar
Morin Khuur, Tovshuur and
Khöömii Performer
Member of Zje
Temuujin Batbaatar is a Mongolian musician and instrumentalist specializing in the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and tovshuur (two-stringed lute). As a member of Zje Mongol, he brings the depth and spirit of Mongolia’s traditional music to contemporary audiences across the United States.
Temuujin’s mastery of the morin khuur, Mongolia’s national instrument and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, captures the soul of the steppe — echoing the rhythm of galloping horses, the wind of the plains, and the emotion of ancient melodies. His performances on the tovshuur, an instrument deeply tied to Mongolia’s nomadic storytelling tradition, add warmth and authenticity to Zje Mongol’s distinctive sound.
He has performed at leading venues such as The Paramount Theatre, The Moore Theatre, Washington Hall, and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC). Through both solo and ensemble work, Temuujin continues to honor his heritage while exploring new ways to blend traditional Mongolian tones with modern expression.