Monday, March 24, 2014
World of the Uyghur
The Uyghur people make a living through agriculture. They are actually the largest producer of grapes throughout China. Fruit is easily grown in their region due to the suitable weather conditions. Not only that, but they also produce rice, corn, grain, and cotton in large quantities as well. There is some livestock raised as well including sheep, goats, and some cows. They are also known for having a rich trading tradition. The Uyghur's will sell the fruit and the vegetables that they grow. There are many street vendors.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: Homeland of the Uyghur
The Uyghur live in the Altay Mountains located in Central Asia. Their homeland is in the Xianjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Xianjiang means "new frontier", "new land", "new domination". It got its name in 1884 during the Manchu Qing Dynasty of China.
Because China is so large, it is broken down into 23 provinces, 5 autonomous regions, and 4 municipalities. This is one of Chinas five autonomous regions. An autonomous region in China is an area that is directly below the federal government, autonomous regions have their own local government. Actually, the autonomous regions were specifically created for the country's ethnic minority groups. The Xianjiang just so happens to be the largest of the five autonomous regions. It has an area of 640, 930 square miles.
The region borders the Tibet Autonomous Region. To the south it borders India as well as the Qinghai and Gansu provinces of China to the southeast. On the east, it is bordered by Mongolia, and Russia to the north. Lastly, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are borders to the west.
To say the least, the area is very beautiful! It's separated into two basins. There is the Dzungarian Basin in the north and the Tarim basin in the south. This separation is due to the Tegri mountains.
There are many unique geographic features that the area holds. It has some of the world's highest mountains including the Kunlun mountains, the Tengri mountains, and the Altay mountains. It also has the Tarim Basin which is the largest inland basin. One of the largest sand deserts is also located in this region as well as hundreds of rivers and lakes. To top it all off, there are also some of the worlds most unique desert forest here.
The highest peak is Chogir Peak at 8611 meters above sea level and its lowest point is the Turfan Depression which is 155 meters below sea level. The Capital city, which is Urumchi, is 1,398 miles from the nearest ocean. This is the furthest city from an ocean in the world!
The climate is semiarid/temperate continental arid. There is a low annual rainfall and the sunshine duration during the day is fairly long. Generally, winters are very cold, while spring time is pretty windy, and summer is extremely hot! In autumn is when the temperature is the most bearable. The weather conditions make it a great place for sugar accumulation when growing fruit so the area is cultivated with fruits!
The region borders the Tibet Autonomous Region. To the south it borders India as well as the Qinghai and Gansu provinces of China to the southeast. On the east, it is bordered by Mongolia, and Russia to the north. Lastly, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are borders to the west.
To say the least, the area is very beautiful! It's separated into two basins. There is the Dzungarian Basin in the north and the Tarim basin in the south. This separation is due to the Tegri mountains.
There are many unique geographic features that the area holds. It has some of the world's highest mountains including the Kunlun mountains, the Tengri mountains, and the Altay mountains. It also has the Tarim Basin which is the largest inland basin. One of the largest sand deserts is also located in this region as well as hundreds of rivers and lakes. To top it all off, there are also some of the worlds most unique desert forest here.
The highest peak is Chogir Peak at 8611 meters above sea level and its lowest point is the Turfan Depression which is 155 meters below sea level. The Capital city, which is Urumchi, is 1,398 miles from the nearest ocean. This is the furthest city from an ocean in the world!
The climate is semiarid/temperate continental arid. There is a low annual rainfall and the sunshine duration during the day is fairly long. Generally, winters are very cold, while spring time is pretty windy, and summer is extremely hot! In autumn is when the temperature is the most bearable. The weather conditions make it a great place for sugar accumulation when growing fruit so the area is cultivated with fruits!
History of the Uyghur
The Uyghur people are a Turkic ethnic group from East Asia. They have their own distinct language. The language is very similar to Turkish. The Uyghur people use the persian alphabet to write out their language.
They are native to the Altay Mountains in Central Asia. Most of them live in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. In the region, they are one of the largest ethnic groups. There are around 11-15 million Uyghur people in this specific region.
Prior to 1921, different turkic groups in Xinjiang called themselves by the oasis near where they were located. In 1921 is when they chose to mark their identity using the Uyghur name. The term Uyghur means "united" or "alliance". It is synonymous with the Turkish name "Tokuz-Oguz". That name means "nine tribes".
The Uyghur's have played a very important role involving cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. Throughout the 8th-19th centuries their empire was a dominant force in Central Asia. In the 1800's, the Manchu invasion caused the Uyghur culture to fall into decline. Communist and nationalist forces also took part in this fall.
They are native to the Altay Mountains in Central Asia. Most of them live in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. In the region, they are one of the largest ethnic groups. There are around 11-15 million Uyghur people in this specific region.
Prior to 1921, different turkic groups in Xinjiang called themselves by the oasis near where they were located. In 1921 is when they chose to mark their identity using the Uyghur name. The term Uyghur means "united" or "alliance". It is synonymous with the Turkish name "Tokuz-Oguz". That name means "nine tribes".
The Uyghur's have played a very important role involving cultural exchanges along the Silk Road. Throughout the 8th-19th centuries their empire was a dominant force in Central Asia. In the 1800's, the Manchu invasion caused the Uyghur culture to fall into decline. Communist and nationalist forces also took part in this fall.
Introduction/Index: Uyghur
During the spring 2014 semester at East Stroudsburg University I will be exploring the Uyghur culture. I will keep up on posts about their lives so I can understand them better and how they live. I intend on learning a vast amount of information and I look forward to sharing it with my classmates and everyone else of interest. I believe this blog will be a resourceful way to connect with this culture. It is important to take other peoples lives into consideration and see how other people live compared to ourselves. I highly encourage you to keep up with my journey and learn more about a culture you may not be so familiar with. Below is an index of what topics I will be covering in my blog. Take a look!
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(None of the pictures are mine, i did not take these)
- History of the Uyghur
- Homeland of the Uyghur
- World of the Uyghur
- Uyghur Cosmos
- Birds of the Uyghur
- Uyghur and their Neighbors
- Uyghur Migrations and Diaspora
- Interview
- Uyghur Cultural Survival
- Uyghur Music & Dance
- Uyghur Fashion
- Uyghur Wedding
- References
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