Traditional Uygur musical form undergoes renaissance

URUMQI－As an ambitious music lover, 19-year-old Meiulajan Maimait yearns to learn and master every Uygur musical instrument.

The young man was born in Qiman township, which is known as the home of muqam, a type of music traditional to the Uygur ethnic group of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

"I have been fond of folk music and dancing since I was a child," he said. "I always went with my parents to wedding ceremonies to see people dance. I am the best dancer in our village."

Meiulajan Maimait has mastered two traditional instruments, including the Uygur hand drum. He has started learning the rawap, a stringed instrument, under the instruction of Kurban Niyaz, a skilled muqam musician.

"It might not be possible for me to master all Uygur musical instruments," Meiulajan Maimait said. "But that won't stop me from pursuing my dream."

The teenager works as a traveling projectionist to support his musical dream, and screens around 300 films for villagers and students each year. As he passes through different villages, he is inspired by not only the movies, but also the lives of villagers.

Qiman township set up a muqam troupe to protect and pass on the traditional musical style. Meiulajan Maimait joined the troupe after graduating from a technical school and has performed the ancient art across Xinjiang while perfecting his skills.

Every day, he is one step closer to his dream, but he has a long way to go.

The Twelve Muqams, known as the "Mother of Uygur Music", are a collection of classical pieces combining Uygur singing, dancing and music, and are considered a Chinese ethnic treasure.

Nearly lost before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, muqam lives on today thanks to the unremitting efforts of the regional government and local folk artists.

In 2005, the Xinjiang Uygur Muqam Arts of China was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Xinhua