Rescue and Protection of Xinjiang Traditional Arts
( 2005-09-13 )

For these people, traditional festivals such as the Kazak Aken Singing, the Mongol Nadam, and the Kirgiz Jurush (a festival) are celebrated with singing, dancing, and all sorts of entertainments; and music is an indispensable part of their traveling life, from birth to death.

The Tajiks, whose habitat is the Pamirs (a high mountainous chain mainly in Tajikistan, represents the Highland Culture. These people live a part-nomadic, part-farm-based life. Their traditional music and dance is characterized by primitive simplicity and boldness. The typical musical instrument here is the "hawk flute" made from hawks' wing bones, which has a soaring and powerful resonating sound.

Among other ethnic groups in Xinjiang are: the Hans, Huis, and Manchus -- who live mostly in the northern rural areas and all of the urban towns, and have a traditional culture largely similar to regions in Northwest China, but with influences from indigenous Xinjiang cultures; the Xibes and Daurs -- whose origins are from Northeast China, and who have enriched their own traditions with Xinjiang flavors; the Uzbeks -- famous for their moving songs; and the tap-dancing Tartars and Russians. All these groups contribute to the dazzling diversity of Xinjiang's artistic traditions.

 Folk Arts and Crafts

Xinjiang has a wide range of original folk arts and crafts that have been in practical use for over thousands of years. These objects, lively and brilliant in style, vividly mirror their creators' efforts to improve life and productivity, and are the brainchild of the creators' deep values and senses of beauty. With their practical function, distinct ethnic flavor, and intricate craftsmanship, Xinjiang's folk arts and crafts have made beauty an ever-present part of daily life.

Some of the representative pieces are: a variety of featured hats, felt and leather hats of the Uygurs, Kazaks, Kirgizs, and Tajiks; carpets, tapestry, ritual carpets, and felts of the Uygurs, Kazaks, Kirgizs and Uzbeks; and embroidery, inlaid patterns, and bandhnu (tie-dye bedding) of the Uygurs, Kazaks, Kirgizs, Uzbeks, and Tajiks.

Other representative pieces include: craft knives of the Uygurs and Kazaks; and Etles silk and all sorts of pottery vessels (pottery bowels, jugs, vases, and flowerpots), copper and iron vessels (chogun (water boiler), aptuwa (water kettle for hand-washing), and chilapcha (container for used water in hand-washing)), and wooden utensils (bowels, basins, jars, spoons, and sanduq (cases with metal strips and engraved patterns, and baby hammocks with colored painting) of the Uygurs.