Uyghurs and East Turkistan
Who are Uyghurs?
Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group from East Turkistan (also known as Xinjiang). Historically, they have a rich cultural and linguistic heritage, tracing their roots to various Turkic tribes and the ancient Uyghur Khaganate established in the 8th century. Over the centuries, they have been influenced by various empires and cultures.
In the 20th century, CCP occupied East Turkistan, leading to significant political and social changes for the Uyghur people. Today, there are ongoing human rights abuses, including reports of mass detentions in surveillance, forced labor, and family separations. Uyghurs are fighting against these violations and advocating for accountability and justice.
Where is East Turkistan?
East Turkistan (known as Xinjiang, Autonomous region of China) lies on the heart of Asia. The territorial size is 1.626 million kilometer square which is four times the size of California. It has ten neighbouring countries which are Mongolia, Tibet, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia and China.
The population of Uyghurs in East Turkistan is around 30 millions and the capital city Urumqi.
Culture
Uyghur culture is rich and diverse, shaped by centuries of history, geography, and interactions with various peoples and traditions. The Uyghur language is part of the Turkic family and written in a modified Arabic script.
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Music and dance are vital cultural expressions, often showcased during meshrep gatherings, where traditional instruments like the rawap and dutar accompany folk songs. Uyghur art includes intricate textiles, pottery, and woodwork, characterised by bright colours and geometric patterns, alongside calligraphy that reflects Islamic influences.
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Traditional clothing is vibrant and features intricate embroidery. Despite facing challenges and repression, the Uyghur people continue to preserve their culture, emphasising the importance of their identity as a tapestry of traditions, communal values, and artistic expressions.
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Uyghur History
The Uyghur people have a deep, complex history in Central Asia spanning thousands of years. Over the centuries, they migrated to the East Turkistan, where their culture thrived under the influences of Buddhism, Manichaeism and later Islam, especially during the 10th and 11th centuries with the rise of the Karakhanids. The Uyghurs became known for their contributions to literature and trade along the Silk Road.
However, there have also been times of conflict and repression throughout their history, especially throughout Chinese dynasties. The area had varied degrees of autonomy following the fall of the Qing dynasty before East Turkistan was occupied by People's Republic of China in 1949. Since then, Uyghurs have faced increasing political and cultural repression.
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Being predominantly Muslim in faith, Uyghur diet omits alcohol and pork. Staples in their diet includes polo – rice dish with carrots and lamb, laghman - thick noodles with a vegetable and meat sauce, and other sides like manta - steamed dumplings, nan - bread and baked samsa - dumplings.