Xinjiang Uygur Muqam is a comprehensive art form that incorporates music, singing, and dancing, beautifully portraying different facets of Uygur society and history through its rich musical language. In 2005, due to its cultural significance, this art form was added to the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Over the past twenty years, it has gained global recognition due to the dedication and perseverance of its practitioners.

My teacher, Mr. Wan Tongshu, dedicated his whole life to studying Muqam and other Xinjiang folk songs. He was renowned for his attempts to preserve the complete musical structure of the Twelve Muqam (an epic cycle of melodies that would take about 24 hours to perform in its entirety) by recording and notating its music. His whole hearted commitment to the protection of Xinjiang Uygur Muqam music was demonstrated by his decision to move from Beijing to Xinjiang at the age of 28 along with his wife and their one-year-old daughter. This marked the beginning of many decades of devoted work.

When my teacher turned 75, he had to move in with his children due to health reasons. The day before his move, I visited his home where his luggage was packed and ready to go. He pulled out a cassette without a case from the deepest drawer of his desk. Holding it in his hands for a while, he finally handed me the tape with the words, "These are some unusual Muqam compositions I've collected over the years. I haven't been able to determine which part of the Twelve Muqam they belong to, so I'm leaving it to you to research."

As I took the cassette, my palms grew damp. Conscious of the immense trust that had been placed upon me, myriad thoughts filled my head, yet the only phrase that escaped my lips was the humble declaration: "You can count on me!"

Over the following thirty years, I diligently followed in Mr. Wan's footsteps, conducting extensive field research on folk music across the regions surrounding Tianshan Mountain. Throughout my trips, I have had meaningful interactions with folk artists, performers, and grassroots cultural workers belonging to diverse ethnic groups. These invaluable experiences have enabled me to gather a significant collection of materials pertaining to ethnic music heritage. I am committed to the promotion and preservation of these precious cultural treasures.

Yusuyin and Aishan Yaya, twin brothers and renowned representatives of the intangible cultural heritage of Uygur Muqam in Xinjiang, are long-time acquaintances of mine. They live in Yangtake Township of Markit County, and in the past, their performances were limited to nearby villages and towns, to which they would travel by donkey. However, in recent years, the twins have gained wider recognition and are frequently invited to participate in international folk festivals, music concerts, and other events. This is because China has made significant efforts to protect and promote Dolan Muqam, a regional category within the Twelve Muqam. They have now showcased Muqam in countries such as France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, thereby slowly increasing the global recognition of this unique artform.

Today, the Uygur Muqam Art Troupe has performed distinctive Xinjiang Uygur Muqam to audiences across the globe. Recently, I had the opportunity to lead the troupe to perform 11 shows in Indonesia. The performance in Bandung received an overwhelming response, with the applause continuing for a long time. When a member of the audience stood up and expressed his gratitude in slightly hesitant Chinese, it ignited another wave of prolonged applause.

As I heard the words of gratitude and witnessed the genuine enjoyment of the audience during our performance of the Muqam, I couldn't help but feel that what may be unique to one nation can also be precious for the whole world. Music has the power to transcend borders, overcome language barriers, and create a sense of unity. Xinjiang Uygur Muqam, which was once on the verge of extinction, has now become a cherished cultural heritage that is beloved by people all over the world. Its conservation has garnered significant attention and recognition from the international community, further highlighting the importance of preserving Xinjiang's intangible cultural heritage.

The author is Dilishati Parhati, head of the Uygur Muqam Art Troupe at Xinjiang Arts Theater.

Liu Xian /Editor    Deng Zhiyu /Translator

Yang Xinhua /Chief Editor    Ren Qiang /Coordinator

Zhang Ying /Reviewer

Zhang Weiwei /Copyeditor    Tan Yujie /Image Editor

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