Written by: Shi Xiaoqi
Posted on: May 23, 2020 | 
| 中文
The Uyghur nationality has a population of over 8 million people in China. The majority of them live in compact communities in the areas to the south of the Tianshan Mountains, such as Kashgar, Hotan, and Aksu, while the rest inhabit the Ili prefecture and other places in the northern part of the province of Xinjiang, China.
The Uyghurs’ ancestors can be traced back to the third century. In ancient Chinese archives, translations of the name “Uyghur” vary from period to period. As of now, there are at least five known names for the same community within this same demographic: Wuhu, Yuanhe, Weihe, Huihe, and Uyghur. In 1935, the term “Uyghur” was authorized as the official translation for these people, and this is the name that continues to be used today.
The Uyghurs are largely Muslim, which has been their dominant religion since the tenth century. They have their own unique written and spoken language, which belongs to the Turkic group of the Altaic Language Family, similar to East Asian and Central Asian languages. The Uyghurs have also created and developed their own culture, which has been well-documented throughout history. They have produced classical epics and great academic works, such as The Dictionary of Turkic Language, which preserves the history and development of their language.
Uyghur men usually wear a long gown, known as “qapan”, with a tilted front and waistband but no buttons. Women like wearing broad-sleeved dresses and young girls arrange their hair into many small braids. The Uyghur people, both old and young, men and women alike, are fond of wearing the typical four or five angled embroidered hat. These Uyghur hats, known as “dopa”, are exquisite handicrafts with bright colors and various designs. Their styles vary, based on different districts, the gender of the wearer, and the wearer’s profession. Other popular Uyghur handicrafts are Etles satin for women’s dresses and the Yengisar knives used by men.
As for diet, Nang and Laman (pulled noodles) are daily staples for the Uyghurs. Polo, a special Xinjiang cuisine consisting of rice cooked with fresh mutton, carrots, onions, and shish kebab (kawap), is typically served at festivals or on special occasions. The kawap is a particularly well-known snack in the area but is enjoyed by people all over the country.
The traditional Uyghur dwelling is typically a flat-roofed building, with a small window and a fenced porch on the outside; and a fireplace and niche inside. The fireplace is for cooking food and heating the home while the niche is used for storage. Both the inside and outside are decorated with brightly colored material and grained ornaments.
The two most important Uyghur festivals are the Eid-ul-Fitr (which is celebrated at the end of the month of Ramadan) and the Eid-ul-Azha or the Corban (Sacrifice) Festival, which is observed in the month of the Hajj.
The Uyghurs have long been known as “a nationality of song and dance”, and partake in lively celebrations. Sanem is the most popular folk dance, in which one or two people dance together while others sit in a circle, clapping and beating drums. The classical folk music, Twelve Muqam, is one of the treasures of Chinese arts, with 12 sets, 170 varieties of tunes, and 72 songs. There is also the “Meshrep,” an informal gathering which combines song, dance, poetry, and debate.
With their unique history and culture, the Uyghurs add dynamism and beauty to China’s family of ethnicities.
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