Uyghurs

According to the statistical data of 2001, Uyghurs account fo 8 605 575, making 45.87% of the total population of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.Nearly 80% of them live in Southern Xinjiang.

The language of Uyhgur belongs to the family of Turkic languages of Altaic language system. Uyghurs in Xinjiang use Arabic script.

Uyghurs is one of the ancient nationalities in China. They established Orkhun Uyghur Khanate in 7th Century A .D.This Uyghur Khanate had twice sent troops out to help Tang Dynasty to put down the " Ongluk-Soygun Riot". By the end of 9th century A .D .Uyghurs established the Huigu-Edikut Khanate and The Khanate of Karakhanids. To the honor of Uyghur people , outstanding statesmen,
strategists,astronomers,historians,translators and other distinguished scholars emerged in Uyghur history. In 13 th century and the years after many such eminent persons held high official positions in Yuan Dynasty.

Uyghurs began to take Islam in 10th century and by the end of 16th century Islam became a common religion of Uyghurs.

Uyghurs led many battles agains feudalism and fereign invasions in their history. After peaceful liberation of Xinjiang in 1949, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has been established in October 1955.

Uyghurs is a nationality of unique natural and spiritual civilization . They are honest, openhearted, friendly,outgoing, hospitable people . Humor,song and dance are the important features of their social life.

The "Twelve Mukam" is the typical classic musical collection of a long history and high honor. Uyghur dance is well known fo its lively, joyful and glorious form. Mashrap , as a form of get-together , is the common fiesta of Uyghurs . High-wire-walking , horse racing , sheep snatching, wrestling , etc. are also the common forms of sport in the towns and villages.

Uyghurs are the experts at many forms of traditional craftsmanship, such as carpet knitting, atlas (a kind of unique colorful silk) weaving,gold crafting , carving , architecture, embroidery,coppersmith,making musical instruments,etc.

Uyghurs diet culture is well known at home and abroad.There are over 50 varieties of dishes , which suit with Centural Asian dry climate,such as nan (crust bread) ,polo (rice dish with lamb and carrot) ,various dumplings, laghman (hand made noodles),kabaob,goshnan (pancakes stuffed with lamb), halwa (a sweet dish made with oil,flour and sugar), yapma (stewed lamb topped with layered dough) ,ogra (a kind of hand-cut noodle soup) ,opka-hesip (a dish in combination of boiled blood-free lung and the stuffed intestines of lamb), and more. Uyghurs enjoy fruits such as grapes ,apple, pear, apricot, peaches,pomegranate,figs,sweet melon,water melon,etc.

Being Muslims ,Uyghurs always follow the rules of Islam in their diet,never touch food that is regarded haram.

Uyghurs pay great attention to social etiquette. They greet each other "Assalamu-Elaykum" (may you be healthy always) with their right hand placed on their chest.They treatguests with great respect.

Uyghur wedding and funerals are held according to the rules of Islam and by the traditional ways.

At the funerals, the deceased is washed and dressed in kepan.It is buried after the funeral prayers in his/her honor are completed. Usually, the body of deceased will not be kept more than one deceased on the 7th,40th days and one year.Every year on the holidays of Kurban Heyt ( Id al Kurban, the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice) and Roza Heyt ( Id al Fitr, the Muslim Festival held after one month fasting ) relatives of deceased would visit their graves.

Uyghurs celebrate Nawruz, Kurban Heyt and Roza Heyt. During such holidays the tables are in every family topped with typical Uyghur snacks ,such as sangza and other sweets and fruits. On the day of Kurban Heyt, a sheep is sacrificed. Relatives and friends pay visit each others home wishing the best to each other.

When a child is born , a cermony is held and a Mullah is invited to give the name to the newborn On the 7th day of birth, with a small ceremony , the baby will be put into cradle , and on the 40th day a Boshuk Toy (Cradle Feast ) is held.There will be a greater feast given on the day of circumcision, when the boy reaches the age of seven, which is called Sunnat Toy. A girl begins to wear earnings also at the age of seven.Outstanding literature such as " Kutadghu Bilig", the "Great Dictionary of Turkic language" and rich of oral literature tradition are the prides of Uyghur people. Traditional Uyghur medicine is being handed over from generation to generation up to these days.

Kazakhs

Kazakh is a nationality of a long history. Kazakhs in Xinjiang primarily live in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Barilkol Kazakh Autonomous County and Mori Kazakh Autonomous County.There are also small groups of Kazakh in Changji, Bortala and Urumqi districts.

According to the data of 2001, the total population of Kazakh in Xinjiang is over 1 319 219 . Kazakh language belongs to the family of Turkic languages of Altatic language system .Kazakhs in Xinjiang use Kazakh Alphabet, wich is based on the Arabic script.The ethnicity of Kazakh can be traced back to the ancient Osun and Kanjut tribes. They have a long history of namadic life. In early 18th century,Kazakhs was invadeed by Junggar tribes and was forced to leave their homeland. Theywereableto return to their homeland and settle down in Ili, Altai, Tarabaghatai regionsonly after the Junggars had beendefeatedby Qing dynasty.Afterthe liberation of Xinjiang in 1949 , the regional autonomy of minorities was put into practice, and on July 17,1954 Mori Kazakh Autonomous County was established. On the September 30 and November 27 of the same year, the Barikol Kazakh Autonomous County and Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefeture were established.

The majority of Kazakh are engaged in animal husbandry. They live in yurts during the summer following the livestock in the pastures and spend winter in brick houses in kishloks (winter settlements). The main food of Kazakhs are lamb, milk ,cheese, yogurt and such dairy products. They wear clothes made of animal skin and fur in pasturelands,while town Kazakhs dressed in modern fashion.

A Kazakh young man would set up his own yurt after he is married and live independently with a portion of wealth given by his parents. The youngest son will be the true heir of the family.

Grand ceremonies would be held to the honor of a deceased relative on the 1st , 7th,40th days and on the memorials of one year of his or her death. Animals would be sacrificed and the solemn prayers will take place.

Kazakhs are hospitable people. They would slaughter a sheep to the honor of guests. The cooked head of the sheep would be placed in front of the guest of honor who should taste it first.

Kazakhs believe in Islam. They celebrate Nawruz, Kurban Heyt and Roza Heyt. During such festivals sheep snatching, horse racing, kiz-kuwar ( girl's chase. A boy is chased by a girl both racing on horses.) and other such traditional sport activities are held.

On the basis of rich and colorful oral literature tradition,Kazakh people created a special form of art-- Gathering of Aken, the typical feature of which is antiphonal singing of poems composed impromptu.Kazakh songs and dance have its own unique style and it is well known with its popularity. Dumbura is the most popular musical instrument among Kazakh people.

Kirghiz

Kirghiz people mainly inhabited Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture. Small groups of Kirghiz people also live in Uchturpan (Wushi),Onsu (Wensu), Guma (Pishan) counties and in the tekas county in the northern Xinjiang. The total population of Kirghiz in Xinjiang is 170 133 (data of 2001). Kirghiz language belongs to the Turkic family of Altaic languages.Kirghiz alphabet is based on the Arabic script. The ethnicity of Kirghiz people can be traced down to the ancient Yensei Kirghiz in the north.

The main trade of Kirghiz people is animal husbandry. Therefore, their main food is meat, milk, cheese and cream. They live in felt yurts in summer and in the brick houses in winter Kirghiz ethnic costumes are very beautiful. Men like to wear a felt had and embroidered shirt. Women like to wear a long coat with silver buttons and put a white scarf. They believen in Islam. They honor guests. They use Twelve mochal (12 symbolic animals associated with 12 year cycle). They make various traditional feastivals during the holidays. They are famous with their dance and folk songs. The epic song " Manas", one of the "Three Folk Treasures" of our country , is well known all over the world.

Tajiks

Tajiks have been living in the Tashkorgan region of the Pamir Mountains from ancient times, which is the western gate of China to the West . The total population of Tajiks in Xinjiang is 41 155 according to the data of 2001. Tajik language belongs the Persian language group of Indo-European languages. Most of Xinjiang Tajiks can also speak Uyghur and they use Uyghur script.

For centuries, Tajiks made good use of the rich and fertile Pamir grassland in animal husbandry and farming. On every aspect of life Tajiks have formed a unique life style, which suits with the environmental condition of mountainous region. In a Tajik family usually three generations live together. Intermarriages with other nationalities are very rare. They believe in Islam and they follow the rules of Islam in wedding and funeral ceremonies. Beside the Kurban Heyit and Barat Feastivals, Tajiks especially honor the day of Nawruz as the start of a new year.

Mongols

Mongols in Xinjiang are mainly spread at the northern and the southern feet of Tianshan
Mountains, with total number of population about 161 857, based on the data of 2001.

The language of Mongols belongs to the Mongolian family of Altaic languages.The Mongols in Xinjiang speak in Oyrat dialect. They used to write in Todo version of Mongolian script. But now they use the same Hudum version of it as the Mongols of Inner Mongolia.

Mongols believe in Lamaism .They are mainly engaged in the livestock husbandry, except the small numbers of farmers. They used to live in the yurts similar to that Kazakhs. But now, they gradually moving into the brick houses. Due to their husbandry life style, they mainly consume meat and milk, cream and cheese. An elderly man wears a long Mongolian coat, which is tied with a green tie around the waist.

Mongols are very hospitable people. They treat guests with a great honor. The major holiday they celebrate is the " Chaghan",which is in parallel with Chinese New Year (Spring Feastival). They also celebrate " Nadam" annually. " Jangghir" of Mongols is one of the three greatest epic songs of our country.

 

Uzbeks

Uzbeks of Xinjiang spread of over Ghulja (Ili), Kashgar,Urumqi, Guchung,Jimsar,Yarkan and Kaghilik regions . Majority of them live in towns and deal with trade and craftsmanship.

The 13 730 (data of 2001) Uzbeks who reside in Xinjiang are mainly the descendants of the immigrants from other parts of Central Asia.

Some of them immigrated in the 30's of the last century. Uzbek language belongs to the Turkic family of Altaic languages. Xinjiang Uzbeks mainly use Uyghur script. They believe in Islam. Their customs and diet are very similar to that of Uyghurs.