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    THE FESTIVAL OF MIGRATION WESTWARD OF XINJIANG XIBO PEOPLE

    Written by: Cheng Wanli
    Posted on: July 16, 2013 |

    Westward Migration Festival

    The Xibo people in Xinjiang are mainly distributed in Chabqar Xibo Autonomous County in Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. And some also live in the counties and towns of North Xinjiang.  

    In ancient times, the Xibo people, living in the mountains of China’s northeast, lived by fishing and hunting. After the mid-17th century, they immigrated to the center part of Liaoning Province and lived on farming. The long-time fishing and hunting subsistence of Xibo people developed an ethnic sacrifice festival, which is held on the 18th of April of the lunar year after spring comes to the land. 

    In the mid-18th century, the Qing dynasty at its height finally quelled the rebellions in Junggar Mongols in Xinjiang. However, at that time, due to years of war, Xinjiang was sparsely populated and the army was not integrated. Therefore, the government of the Qing dynasty had to send the Xibos, Chahar Mongolians, and Daurs to move from northeast China to Xinjiang in order to consolidate and reinforce the northwestern border defenses. On April 18th of the lunar calendar, 1764, ordered by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Xibo officers and soldiers were forced to leave their homeland. Before the expedition, they and their families gathered in the Xibo’s shrine, saying goodbye to their folks and ancestors, and then came to live far apart in northeast and northwest China. In order to commemorate this historical event, Xibo people from near and far gather on this day to mark the successful end of their ancestors’ movement westward, hence the Festival of Migration Westward.

    The Festival of Migration Westward is not only the biggest gathering for Xibo people but also a spectacular showcase to present the folk arts. Celebrating activities include picnicking, archery, martial arts contests, singing and dancing. In addition, performances offered by Xibo Shaman are enjoyable, such as scaling the knife ladder and the pole ladder and the Shaman dance. Scaling the high pole is regarded as a way to be closer to the gods. In order to show sincerity, knives replaced the poles to be rungs. Knife rungs range from 13 to 49.

    The Shaman dance is characteristic of origin and mystery. The Shaman ties a long bell to his or her waist in the performance and holds a drum. One of the Shamans is the main performer, while the other one or two beat drums as accompaniment. The dance movements are in imitation of birds, beasts or all kinds of spirits. The highly skillful Shaman can turn round and round continuously with a multi-sided drum in hand.

    Before the 1950s, the Festival of Migration Westward was held by the Xibo people spontaneously at the local temples and squares in the villages. Nowadays the local government sponsors the festival activities on a larger scale, with more diversity and a higher level of skill.


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021