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    KIRKIZ

    Written by: Shi Xiaoqi
    Posted on: January 16, 2013 | | 中文

    KIRKIZKirkiz is a Turkic name used by the Xinjiang Kirkiz people, and it means “forty girls”, “forty tribes” or “grassland people.” The forerunners of the Kirkiz people were recorded in history with various names, such as Gekun, Jiankun, Hegu, Jiegesi, Xiagesi, Jilijisi, Qierjisi and Bulute. The homeland of the Kirkiz was by the upper Yenisey River. Gradually, they moved to the southwestern part of the Tianshan Mountain areas and mixed with local Turks and Mongolians. The Kirkiz language belongs to the Turkic group of the Altaic Language Family, and the Arabic script is used for writing it. It contains many words borrowed from the Uygur, Kazak and Chinese languages.

    The Kirkiz nationality, had a population of 254,000 (2010), most of them living in the Kizilesu Kirkiz Autonomous Prefecture in the southwestern part of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The rest live in neighboring areas, such as Wushi (Uqturpan), Aksu, Shache (Yarkand), Tekes and Zhaosu (Monggolkure) in northern Xinjiang.

    KIRKIZ The yurts, made of felts called “boziwu,” are the main dwellings of Kirkiz herders. The settled Kirkizs mostly live in flat-roofed square mud houses. They are very hospitable and ceremonial. A visitor is invariably entertained with the best mutton. Offering meat from the sheep’s head shows the highest respect for the guest. At the table, the guest is the first to be offered the sheep tail fat, the shoulder blade meat and then the meat from the sheep’s head.

    KIRKIZ The Kirkiz diet mainly consists of milk and dairy products. Horse milk, milk, butter and yogurt are part of their daily food. The Kirkizs like drinking a beverage called “yarma” which is made of fermented barley and wheat. In addition, they are also fond of boiled tea with milk and salt.

    Most of the Kirkiz in Xinjiang believe in Islam. Those Kirkiz people who live in Emin (Dorbiljin) County of Xinjiang and Fuyu County of Heilongjiang, having been influenced by the neighboring Mongols, believe in Lamaism. At the beginning of the first month of the year (March 20/21 of the Gregorian calendar), the Kirkiz people celebrate their traditional festival, “Nawurez”. Apart from this festival, they also celebrate the Islamic festivals, such as Fast-Breaking or Eid-ul-Fitr and the Corban Festivals.
     


    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.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    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