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    DOLAN UYGHUR MESHRUP

    Written by: Cheng Wanli
    Posted on: January 16, 2013 | | 中文

    DOLAN UYGHUR MESHRUPThe Dolan people are a part of the Uygurs living along the Yarkant and Tarim Rivers. They mainly live in the Markit and Bachu Counties in the Kashgar area and in Awati County in the Aksu area. Meshrup is the most popular entertainment activity for the Uygur people. Everyone participates in these performances, men and women, young and old alike. There are several kinds of Meshrup, such as festival Meshrup, harvest Meshrup, hiking Meshrup, and ceremonial Meshrup. It is Dolan Meshrup which is celebrated with the highest enthusiasm.

    When the ancestors of the Dolan people came to live along the middle and lower reaches of the Yarkant River, they initially lived by fishing and hunting, before eventually turning to farming. At that time there were boundless primitive diverse-form leafed poplar woods, interminable reed grassland and large areas of marsh. The unique Dolan culture evolved during the period when they adapted to farming and gave up fishing and hunting, and was the product of the special environment the Dolan people lived in.

    DOLAN UYGHUR MESHRUP Like the Meshrups of other Uygur groups, the Dolan Meshrup consists of four parts: music and dance, entertainment, performance and punishment. Unlike other Uygur dances, the Dolan dance is characterised by movements of the arms, knees and other parts of the body. Some scholars believe that the traditional Dolan dance is closely associated with the complete process of hunting of the ancestors of the Dolan people— hunters advancing in the woods, rapidly approaching the prey, fighting with it and finally killing it. This was followed by a celebration with singing and dancing. Later dancers no longer followed the dance steps and simply enjoyed it for entertainment. The Dolan dance stresses on the balance of whole body, especially the upper part. Dancers can change their positions constantly and move freely on the stage. As the beat becomes faster, the dancers become more excited. However, later on, when most of them have tired down and left the stage, the remaining one or two dancers become the stars of the dance, and are showered with the audience’s applause and praise.

    DOLAN UYGHUR MESHRUP Games are played in the intervals. The most well-known traditional games are “Grasping Belt” and “Handing Bowl”. The former is held between young man and women in which a young man beats other young people with a cotton belt and the others try to escape while attempting to snatch away the belt at the same time. Both sides are quick in their actions, peppering them with jokes or funny words. ‘Handing Bowl’ is also an interesting game. A small bowl full of water is handed from one hand to another. It can be passed to anyone who participates in the game. Whoever spills the water will be punished, and he either has to sing a song, or has to tell a joke or tell the audience a witty saying.

    The third section of the Meshrup is the performance. Some read out their newly written poems, some tell jokes and some offer crosstalk. And there are two men who give comic shows that display their unique skills. Others will give performances voluntarily, either traditional or improvised. Punishment will be given to those who break the rules in the Meshrup, and they will be asked by the judge to perform some games.

    The Dolan people love Meshrup so much that whenever they hear the sound of a drum, a hundred or even a thousand people would gather to join in the dance.

     


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

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    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021