Cultural preservation
Traditional arts also benefit from cultural tourism development. Visitors in Awat County of Aksu Prefecture in South Xinjiang can now enjoy the muqam, a traditional Uygur art performance that was once threatened with extinction.
On a large stage in front of enthusiastic tourists, Abdukadir Musha, 74, leads 50 other artists - all of whom are his pupils. Sitting on their knees, the troupe sings popular ballads on the history and current life of the Uygur people. Traditional instruments, such as the harp, zither, drums and pan flute, provide the music. In front of them, about 40 dancers wearing colorful traditional costumes perform for the audience.
In the past, this was a common scene at Uygur festivals and wedding ceremonies. “But nowadays, celebrations like this, where everyone participates in the muqam, are increasingly rare. And the interest of young people in our customs is declining year after year,” said Musha, who is one of the well-known masters of muqam.
Here also, the local administration was quick to act. In the 1980s, artistic troupes and research institutes dedicated to Xinjiang’s muqam were put in place in order to collect, study and promote the classical music, songs and dances of the Uygur people. In 2005, muqam was included in UNESCO’S list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Since then, local authorities have paid particular attention to support muqam masters such as Musha. Those appointed as inheritors of this cultural heritage form can receive monthly subsidies. As such, Musha receives about 1,000 yuan ($150) per month in exchange for providing training. So far, he has trained more than 300 people.
Together with his pupils, he also gives performances in areas frequented by tourists like the Dolan Tribe Area, which has welcomed almost 2 million visitors from all over the world over the last nine years, according to Awat District Tourism Administration.
“My family has been involved in preserving the art of muqam for six generations. In the past, I was worried about the future of this tradition, but I am not worried anymore,” he told Chinafrica. “On the contrary, with the efforts of the government, we can not only awaken the passion of the younger generation for traditional art, but also share our historical treasures with foreign visitors and spectators.”
Comments to lixiaoyu@chinafrica.cn