| The
Uygurs |
 |
| The largest minority group in Xinjiang |
| are the Uygurs,a Turkic-speaking people |
| who number close to 8 milionl.They give |
| their name to the vast Uygur Autonomous |
| Region of Xinjiang but live, for the |
| most part, south of the Heavenly |
| Mountains, in the cities and farmlands |
| of the Tarim Basin oases.The name Uygur |
| means 'united'or 'allied'.Their origins |
can be traced back to the early nomadic Turkic tribes, whose homelands lay south of Lake
Baykal in present-day Buryatskaya. Legend states that the Turks are descended from the
union between a boy and a she-wolf. Enemy soldiers killed the boy, and the she-wolf took
to the mountains near Turpan, where she gave birth to ten boys. One of the wolf-boys
married a human woman and produced the forebears of the Turkic tribe.
By the sixth century, the Turks were centred in the Altai Mountains and
living as farmers and herdsmen. They were a growing power until the seventh century, when
they split into the Eastern and Western Turkic Khanates. The Uygur Empire rose from the
ashes of the Eastern Turkic Khanate in the eighth century,aided by their friendly
relations with the Chinese. Uygur Khanates twice sent troops to help the Tang court put
down the An Lushan-Shi Siming rebellion and contributing to the unification of the Tang
during the An Lushan Rebellion of 755-763. The Kirghiz drove the Uygurs from their lands
in the ninth century, and the tribes divided: some settled in the Hexi Corridor and
established kingdoms at Dunhuang and Zhangye;others moved weswards into the oases south of
the Heavenly Mountains, then occupied by Indo-European people. The Uygurs eventually
gained control of the Silk Road trade routes,supplying horses to the Chinese and
eatablishing kingdoms. They abandoned shamanist beliefs, and first adopted
Manicheanism,then Buddhism and finally, in the tenth century, Islam. The Uygurs heavily
influenced the politics, economics and cultural affairs of the Mongols, and their alphabet
was adopted as the basis for the Mongol written language.
Since the beginning of the nineteenth century the Uygur people have
been involved in a seemingly endless struggle for independence, either against the
aggression of forign colonialists, against fe-udal oppression of the Qing government, or
against Uygur rulers. They fought with the Qing army, s-mashing the Agubo puppet regime
under the aegis of the British colonialists and driving out invading Russian troops from
the Ili area. But all these wars contributed a great deal to the unification of the
motherland, and on October1,1955, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was founded.
The square mud-brick Uygur homes are comfortable and quite spacious.
Rooms are heated in winter by a brick kang, a platform for communal sleeping. It is
covered at all times colourful wool and felt rugs, as are the walls, which have decorated
niches for food and utensils. The vilagers use their flat roofs for drying melon seeds and
grain, and the many families who tend vineyards have an open brick-work drying room for
grapes, eighter on the roof or in nearby fields. In an open courtyard, frequently shaded
by trailing grapevines, or in a deep cellar under the house, families relax during the
intense heat of the day.
The majority of Uygurs tend fields of wheat,maize,vegetables and
melons, orchards of apricots, peaches, pears and plums as well as vineyards.Many engage in
the side-line production of silk and carpets. In the cities they work as traders,
restaurateurs, factory workers and civil servants. Uygur secondary schools teach Chinese
as a second language.Chinese secondary schools do not teach Uygur and at most universities
only Mandarin is used. The few Uygurs who attend university do so at either of the two
institutes in Urumqi or the Foreign Language Institute in Beijing,which also offers
Arabic.
Muslim religious festival are widely celebrated: in particular, the
monthlong Ramadan fast,which culminates in several days of festivities known as Bairam or
'Minor'festival, and Korban or 'Major' fe-stival. Korban is the celebrated Muslim new
year. In Kashgar, early morning services(6 am local time) can mean up to 10,000people
flooding the Aidkah Mosque, its couryard and the central squar-e , where spontaneous
dancing moves throughout the day to the rhythms of the drummers and horn players perched
on the roof of the temple. Children roam the streets in packs, the small ones with
handfuls of candy and noisemakes, the bigger ones with holiday water pisols. Families who
can aff-ord it buy a sheep to be slarghtered on this festive day, and the whole family
gathers for hours of feasting and celebration.
Weddings are merry occasions with music and dancing; can imam usually
officiates and reads from the Koran. Until recently, national minorities were exempt from
the one-child policy of the Chinese government, but efforts are now being made to
introduce a limit of two children per family,being born a least three years apart-an
extemely unpopular policy. Once polygamous, the Uygurs now conform to Chinese marriage
laws but divorceis quite common in the countryside,as is early marriage.
Uygur dress is still quite traditional in the cities of Turpan,Kucha
and Kashgar. The men wear three-quater-length coats sashed at the waist over trousers
tucked into high leather boots, and 9though now more rarely) kaftans. The woman wear full,
unwaisted dressed of variegaed colours, often of homespun aidelaixi silk, with heavy brown
stockings; in earlier times their dress was more elegant. The more devout Muslim women
still wear veils outside the house, but many women either cover their hair with a scarf or
don the colourfully embroidered square dopa(cap), which is also worn by men and children
.The elvet dopas are beaded and couched in gold thread and, in earlier times, had distinct
regional differences. Has are mow a question of personal preference and cost. Women enjoy
wearing jewellery-red, blue or clear cutglass earrins and necklaces. Unlike the Chinese,
they also wear make -up and paint their eyebrows,linking them together in a single line.
Long plaits are common, but unmarried girls traditionally wear their hair in ten or more
braids.
Great importance is attched to etiquette.Upon entering a home you are
expected to rinse you hands three times from water poured by the host from a ewer. In
partaking of the dastarkan-a cloth placed on the floor and laid with fruits and nan-you
should stand with the family with hands together, palms uppermost, as if holding the Korn,
then pass them over your face in downwards motion, a religious gesture of thanks and
blessings. Forms of address are respectful and accord with the individual's status within
the family. Older men stroke their beards in the Muslim sign of courtesy. The traditional
greetings is Es Salaam Aleikum ('may peace be upon you'), the response being Wa Aleikum Es
Salaam('and upon you').
Uygurs have a rich traditon of story-telling, music and dance.
Their folk instruments include the dotar, a two-stringed guitar, the ravap, a six-stringed
mandolin, and the sheep-skin tambourine. Their dancing is elegant, full of twirling and
delicate hand movements. Their folk songs include themes of exile,poverty and love as well
as humour. on his donkey to talk with Chirman Mao.
Manuscripts and treatises on Uygur medicine, which date back to a least
the eighth century, include over 400 commonly used herbs and more than 200 prescriptions.
A centre for Uygur medicine in Kashgar has been particular successful in the treatment of
skin deseases,especially vitiligo, known as 'the white wind sickness'. One treatment for
this illness is a mixture of sugar, raisins, bird bloodk, mutton,grapes and Chinese
medicine.
| Uyghur Music and Dance
|
 |
| The most celebrated music in Xinjiang |
| today is Uygur folk music,which has |
| inherited the fine traditions of the |
| ancient music of Qinci,Gaochang |
| (Karahoja),Yizhou,Shule,and Yutian. |
| Since Xinjiang's geograhpy the constant |
| influnce of one culture on another, |
| musical styles have over the years |
developed along different paths,and each tradition is typical
of its locality.There are three distinct styles of Xinjiang music---that of southern
Xinjiang,eastern Xinjiang and the Daolang area.
Southern Xinjiang is vast,and the content and form of music varies by
place.For example,the Hotan folk songs are simple,short and prinitive,reflecting the
flavor of the land.The Kashgar folk songs,however,are sung to a sophisticated rhythm,while
the Kuqa folk songs are lively and boisterous,perfect for dancing.
In eastern Xinjiang folk songs have the same structure as those of Han and Mongol folk
songs.
Dolan area folk songs,from the western edge of the Tarim Basin,have an unrestrained
style,keeping the mood of the ancient herdsmen there.
In the Ili area,large numbers of Uygur immigrants have helped to
develop yet another style of Uygur music,represented by drawn-out soulful tunes.A number
of their songs are narrative and chantable.
There are several kinds of traditional Uygur music,the most famous of which is the classic
Uygur musical composition The Twelve Major Divertiments,a major force in the development
of Uygur folk music.This artistic gem combines folk music and dancing and includes more
than 340 classical songs,folk songs,and pieces of dance music and instrumental music.It
has thrilled people in both northern and southern Xinjiang for generations.Changing from
overture to allegretto and then allegro,The Twelve Major Divertimentos takes musicians
more than twenty hours to play.The piece was systematically recorded and published few
years ago.
Another kind of Uygur music is called"Sanam," or
"beauty," and involves singing and dancing to a group of from seven to a dozen
pieces of song-and-dance music.The music begins slowly and steadily,then picks up
speed,and finally culminates in a climax of merry music and exuberant dancing.
"Kuxak," "Eytixish," and "Maida"are
spoken songs,which are common among the Uygur people.To the accompaniment of simple
tunes,a player will talk his way through a song,usually about love between a man and a
woman.These are also sometimes performed by two persons.
Uygur music is played with a variety of instruments.Back in the Sui and Tang dynasties,the
five-stringed pipa and konghou(a plucked string instrument)were popular in Qiuci and other
places.They were brought to the Central Plains along with the music of the Western
Region.The present Uygur musical developed from the ancient musical instruments of the
Western Region as well as modern Chinese and foreign instruments,and include dozens of
strings,wind and percussion instruments.
The chief folk dances of the Uygur nationality are as follows:
Sanam dance.Popular among the Uygurs,and performed with Sanam music,it has no fixed
movements or patterns.Men and women dance in pairs,and the dancers and songers do not
mix.The dance follows the mood of the music,always ends on a strong note.
Sama dance.This is popular in Kashgar and Shache,and is included
as part of the Islamic religious service.During the Corban and Lasser Bairam
festivals,thousands of people join the rhythmical music and the stage overflows with
enthusiasm.All dancers are men who make simple movements and revolve on the same spots.
Dolan dance.This style is a favorite at the western edge of the Tarim Basin.It is a group
dance involving pairs of men and women.The movements are graceful,yet and the most
vigorous of all Uygur folk dances.While dancing the partners exchange places in perfect
unison.As the music picks up speed,the dancers reach a frenzied climax,revoling and
spinning rapidly on the same spots,and those who are not strong enough have to retire.Some
even get dizzy and drop to the ground.Those who remain standing at the end win loud
applause.
Nazirkom dance.This man's solo dance is popular in
Hami,Turpan,Pichan,and Toksun.It is distinguished from every other Uygur dance by its
humouous and comical movenents and by the steps taken while squatting down.
It is available to buy CD,VCD recorded everywhere in Xinjiang.
Uyghur cuisine
Kahgar is the place for guormey to taste different food.There is no
place better than Kashgar for who are desiring to enjoy the Uyghur food.The dishes listed
here is just few of them.You will find much more in your experience.
| Barbecued Whole Lamb |
 |
| The barbecued whole lamb is one of |
| the most famous and precious dishes |
| of Uyghur in Xinjiang.The barbecued |
| whole lamb is golden and bright in colour |
,its skin crisp and its meat soft,and extremely delicious and
fragrant.In restaurants and and hotels in Kashgar roasts it.Before dinner,it is placed on
a table,the head of sheep istied with red-coloured silk with flower knots and its mouth
stuffed with coriander or celery.Small knives are supplied on table.The attendant pushes
the diner round the table and the guests can conveniently cut the meat with the small
knife. It is good for serve the group over 10 pax.
Stewed Mutton in Clear Soup
Stewed mutton in clear soup is the food that all the
Uygurs,Tajiks,Kazaks are fond of.When the tourists come to the grasslands,the warmhearted
host will entertain you with stewed mutton eaten by the hand.Please bear in mind that it
is impolite to refuse to eat the mutton offered to you.The best way is to take it and
shows you are loyal to friendship.
| Kebab |
 |
| Kebab is one of the local colours nacks of the |
| minority nationalities in Xinjiang.The meat of |
| kebab is fresh and tender and tastes salty and
hot |
| with its peculiarly strong flavour of
"Ziran" |
| (a kind of aniseed) Especaialy,Kashgar kebab is |
| very delisious,you can't find the kebab from |
.any places like in Kashgar.You can enjoy it in all the
streets and bazzars in Kashgar.When in Kashgar,it is a pity if you do not have a taste of
shish kebab.
| Polo |
 |
| Polo (the cooking material of which is mainly |
| mutton,carrot,oil and rice)is one of the local |
| flavours of the Uygurs,Uzbeks,etc.with which to |
| entertain their guests.On festive occasions |
| or at the wedding breakfast,polo is indispe- |
| nsable for treating the guests.The traditional |
| custom of dining is that the guests are asked |
| to sit round the kang,in the centre of
which a |
clean tablecloth is laid .The host or hostess,with a basin in
one hand and a kettle in the other,asks the guests to drip-wash their hands one by one,and
hands them a towel to clean their hands.After the guests have sat down,the host will carry
several trays of polo and invite them to eat it directly from the tray by hand.
| Samsa |
 |
| Samsa(filled with minced mutton and onion, |
| spicy)in the Uygur dialect, are mainly baked |
| in the Nan oven.Samsa is golden and bright |
| in colour, crisp outside and tender inside,tasty
|
| and fragrant,crisp and sanoury.Samsa are a kind
of |
| food that the Uygurs are most fond of.Besides |
| ,there is a kind of thin coated stuffed buns |
which, instead of being baked in the Nan
oven,are made in the food steamer made of bamboo slips.The material used for this kind of
stuffed buns is almost the same with that of the Samsa, but they taste of tender meat and
fragrant oil and have the flavour of steamed dumplings filled with minced meat and gravy.
Lahman
It is a noodle dressed with fried vegetables. Normaly, the dishes made of
mixed vegetables.
Food gallery
Narin Chop, Ugra, Qoqura, Manta,
Fruits
Melons
Melon in Xinjiang tastes fragrant and sweet,and is palatable and rich
in nutrition.The pulp of melon contains 15.8 per cent of sugar.melons are widely
distributed,and are produced in all over Xinjiang but best one in Komul,Pichan(Shanshan in
Chinese) and Payziwat(jiashi in Chinese) In Kashgar.There are more than 180 varieties of
melons,of which the "Red Heart Crisp" melons are most palatable.Besides,the
"Back-eye browed Mijigan"melons,"Net-veined Fragrant"
melons,"White Rind Crisp"melons and "Bakzat" melons are quite welcomed
as well.
Seedless White Grapes
Kashgar abounds in many varieties of grapes,the best one in called
"Munaki" by Uyghur.September and October is the best season.
Apricots
Some kind of the most famous apricots are produced in Kashgar .They are
juicy,nutritious,contain anticancer vitamin B17 and are enjoyed by the people.Apricot
jam,candied apricot jam,candied apricot peel,apricot tins and preserved apricots made from
apricots are rather appriciated by the tourists.Xinjiang sweet almonds are the traditional
product for export and the indispensable material from which almond tea,almond icing and
almond chocolate are made.Better almonds can be made into medicine,which has the efficacy
of relieving coughs,making expectoration easy,eserting a restorative influence on the
intestines and emptying the bowels easily.They can also be pressed for almond oil and used
as an industrial product.
Water Melons
Water melons are famed in China and overseas.Xinjiang water melons are
rich in mutrition.Apart from 94 per cent of moisture content there are
glucose,fructose,vitaminsA,B and C as well as mineral elements that can be assimilated by
the human body.As well as being a diuretic,water melons are conducive to lowering
hypertension ,curing nephritis,hepatitis,cystiis,etc.
Figs(Ficus Carica)
Figs,called "Anjir"by the Uygurs and "No Flower
Fruit"by the Hans,have their pistillate and male flowers hidden in the bag-shaped
receptacles.The flowers cannot be seen from outside except the fruit.Hence the name.
Figs are rich in nutrition and easily digested.Dried figs contain 70-75 per cent of
sugar,and the fruit contains proteinase,hydrolysate and enzyme.The fig preparations can
cure vitiligo.
Xinjiang figs produced in Artux and Kashgar are most famous,the shape is oblate,the skin
yellow ,and the flesh fine and soft and as sweet as honey.
Almond(Prunus Amygdalus)
Almond is not an apricot,but a plant of the almond tree subgenus in the
peach genus.It is mainly times higher than that of beef of the same weight.Its kernel
contains 55-61 per cent of vegetable oil,28 per cent of protein,10-11 per cent of amylum
and sugar,vitamins and 18 trace elements.
Uygur doctors use it to cure hypertension,also the best article of the Uygurs for keeping
healthy with its tonic effect.
Walnuts
Walnuts are called"Yanggak"by the Uygurs.Xinjiang walnuts
ripen early and have high oil content,big in size and thin-skinned.They have rich
nutrition which is 7 times higher than that of beef of the same weight.Xinjiang walnuts
contain 75-80 per cent of vegetable oil,16 per cent of protein,10 per cent of
carbohydrate,and vitamins A,B,B2,C,E,K,etc.
Xinjiang walnuts are a very good nourishing article,which can build up
vital energy and nourish the blood,moisten the respiratory tract,reduce phlegm,cure
pulmonary tuberculosis and exert a restorative influence on the intestines.Hotan is the
largest region in Xinjiang that produces walnuts.
Pomegranates
Xinjiang pomegranates are chiefly produced in Kagilik,Bashkeram.They are big
in size,thin-skinned and colourful.They can bear bumping about and store well.Xinjiang
pomegranates contain 79 per cent of moisture,17 per cent of carbohydrate,and 12 per cent
of sugar.They are abundantly rich in vitamin c,delicious,cool and refreshing,and are an
exceptional delicacy.
Handcrafts
Carpet-weaving in Kashgar long story.Kashgar and Hotan carpets are famous in
Xinjiang.At present,Xinjiang carpet are exported far and wide to many countries and have
been collected by Victoria Museum and Albert Museum in London,England,Textiles Museum,New
York in the United States,Frankfort Handcraft Art Museum in Germany,etc.
Not only can Kashgar carpets be hung on the walls of the halls but also can
be laid on the floors of the rooms and on the corridors.The surfaces of the carpets are
glossy and smooth.They are so straight,soft,pleasing to the eye and bright coloured that
they will certainly add splendour to the houses,and are really and truly the ideal
top-grade articles of furnishing the house.
| Uyghur Hats |
 |
 |
There are a good assortment of Uyghur hats.Uyghur hats known
as"Dopa"are exquisite handcraft articles.They are not only important ornaments
for the everday life of the Uygurs and the valuable gifts to be given to relatives and
friends,but are also the furnishings and ornamenting the house.
The chief varities of Uyghur hats are"Badam"hats,
"Tashigan"hats
and"Gelem"hats,"Qiman"hats,"Zir"hats and
"Marjan"hats.
In addition,there are "Gouhua","Bexitala
dopa","Mengistdopa","Seripxitumak"hats,etc.
Yengisar Small Knives
The Yengisar small knife is one of the specially needed products by Uyghur
people and the traditional famous brand handicrafts,and has a history of more than 200
years of its production.The Yengisar small knife is beautifully shaped,neat and bright.The
hilt is carved with different decorative patterns.
The Yengisar small knives enjoy great fame and are exported far and wide to
Japan,Pakistan and other countries in West Asia.Whoever tour Kashgar are willing to
purchase with pleasure several friends or as souvenirs.
Jade Sculpture
Kashgar Jade Sculpture is famous in Xinjiang. Kashgar is both solid and
finely textured,it surface sparkling and clear and the qualit superb.There are
sapphire,"Tes"chrysoprase,jet,"Gold Mountain"jade,topaz,jasper,etc.
Kashgar Jade products have been exported to many countries the world overand deeply
appreciated and welcomed.
Uygur Printed Calico
Uygur printed calico is good and cheap and possesses a rich
characterstic of the Uygur nationality.It is an exquisite folk handicraft article of the
Uygurs.There are chiefly two kinds:one that is of block coloured printing with extremely
complicated patterns and design and richly colourful.It can be used for wall
coverings,wall hangings,waistband,sheets,mattress,table napkins,table cloth, window
curtains,door curtains,etc.The other is the engraving blue printed calico,generally with
clusterec flowers being matche with scattered flowers,and largely used as sheets,wall
coverings, etc.
"Etles"Satin
"Etles"satin is a kind of silk material for making"Tar
Yopka"(a cylindrical skirt)which are two chief producing areas:one consists of
Kashgar and Kagilik and Hotan .Satin manufactured by theformer is noted for its bright and
gorgeous colour with contrasted hues and well-knit and fine designl.Satin produced by the
letter is particular about the effect of black and white,and is varied,bold and
flowing,simple.
Uygur "Paraz"
"Paraz"is what is called by the Uygurs woven rug which is a
kind of napless rug woven with coloured knitting wool or with thicek cotton thread.It is
used as floor rug,kang and bed rugs.This woven rug is colourful,simple,elegant,pleasing to
the eye and rich in the characteristics of the nationalities."Paraz"produced in
Hotan and Kashi is most famous.
Chief Musical Instruments
Rawap
Rawap is a plucked string intrument of the Uygurs,there being three
kinds:South Xinjiang Rawap,Dolan Rawap,and North Xinjiang Rawap.There are 5 strings on the
Rawap.It is played by using the plectrum,and its tone colour is sonorous and bright.
Tenbur
It is one of the chief plucked string instruments of the Uygurs.The body of
the instruments is long and thin,and there are 5 strings on it .It is played by using a
steel-wire plectrum fixed to the fingers,and its tone colour is clear and bright and
exquiste.
Dutar
It is an extensivly played plucked string instrument in the Uygur
families.Men and women,old and young,are all fond of playing Dutar.There are 2 strings on
it.It is played by hand usually in the form of singing while playing by oneself.
Ajik
It is a bowed string instrument on which there are 4 strings.It is played by
means of a bow,and it is rich in espression with its tone colour being graceful and
pleasant to listen to.
Kalun
It is a plucked string instrument of the Uygurs mostly with 20 strings,the
first of which is a single string.It is often performed in "Mukam"and its tone
colour is simple and unsophisticated and refined.
Satar
It is an ancient bowed string instrument of the Uygurs,with one main string
and 9-13 resonance strings.It is mostly performed by the bow in "Mukam".Its tone
colour is both clear and bright and graceful.
Festivals
Noruz
Noruz is traditionally celebrated as the most gala event of the year within
Turkish people and Iranian.Uyghur community also shares this festival. Uyghur celebrate it
in his way.For them,It marks the beginning of spring,New Year.It is celebrated on March 21
every year.In Xinjiang,people do not get official holiday,but celebrate it by organize
traditional music concert,modern performances,poet reciting,traditional sports game.
Qurban festival
It is became the main festival in Uyghur's life.During the festival, the
table typically includes sweets and pastries, nuts, dried fruits and dyed
eggs,sangza(crispy fried noodle-looked food) and delisious food. With qurban comes new
clothes. Houses and yards are cleaned. Trees are pruned; fields cleared. It's a time for
renewing relationships as well. People who have had quarrels and refused to speak with
each other use this chance to forgive one another and renew their relationships. There's
always lots of food and sweets a Qurban. Friends and families visit one another. Usually,
a very carefully guarded hierarchy is observed and the oldest members of the community
receive guests first. People get three day-public holiday.On first day,after
worship,Uyghur peaple visit the cemetery where their parents are buried. Gifts and food
are shared with the needy, poor, and sick.Children love Qurban. For children, it's
presents, sometimes even gold coins or brand new bills and best of all, vacation from
school!People dressed in holiday best,dance "sama" to the melody of drums on the
square.
Ramadan
Ramadan, the Month of Fasting is a special month of the year for Muslims in
xinjiang. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims
think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. as there are Muslims. fasting
is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the loss fortunate, and
learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties.
Uyghur people get one day holiday on last day of Ramadan,celebrate it
in the same way with qurban.
 tour_operator2003@yahoo.com.cn
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