Uyghur Chronicles: An Anthology of Articles

M T Zunun Establishment and Early Operations The  National Army was established in 1944 by the people of the Ili, Tarbagahay, and  Altay regions in the Uyghur Region. Its primary objective was to oppose the Chinese regime, rule and wage an armed struggle against them. This effort led to the formation of ethnic armed forces in the region. Integration into the People's Liberation Army Following the  Establishment of P R China, the Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People's Government ordered the incorporation of the three-region national army into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on December 19, 1949. This reorganized force became the Fifth Army of the PLA, contributing significantly to border construction and defence. Detailed Military Function and Structure Guerrilla Period (1944 - April 8, 1945) During this period, the Third District Guerrilla (Gongha, now Nileke) operated in Uyghur Region's Ili, Trabaghatay, and Altay  areas. The personnel ...

Sachiye Madrasa: A Beacon of Knowledge   M T Zunun Introduction The Sachiye Madrasa, located in the historic city of Kashgar, was one of the most prestigious educational institutions from the Qarakhanid period. Founded during the reign of Satuq (Abdukirim) Arslan Bughra Qarakhan, this madrasa played a pivotal role in fostering cultural and intellectual advancements. The term "saç" in ancient Uyghur signifies the spread and dissemination of knowledge and science, encapsulating the essence of the madrasa's mission. Historical Significance Established in the 10th century, the Sachiye Madrasa was a highly regarded centre of higher education, attracting students from diverse backgrounds. The curriculum included Islamic philosophy, history, literature, astronomy, medicine, military science, and various natural and social sciences. Location The Sachiye Madrasa in Kashgar city is located at the head of Chasa Street, by the Tuman River to the east and the "Id Kah Mosque...

 Uyghur Heritage Monograph Section Duan, L., 1988. Ding Ling, Gao Che and Tiele. Shanghai: Shanghai People's Publishing House. Geng, S., 1994. Introduction to Dunhuang Turkic Uighur Documents. Taipei: Xinwenfeng Publishing Company. Renéfang, 1984. Explanation of the Inscriptions of the Eastern Turkic Khanate. Translated by G. Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences. Kliash Torny, 1984. Ancient Turkic Runic Inscriptions--Original Documents on the History of Central Asia. Xinjiang Academy of Social Sciences. Kliash Tornei, 1991. Ancient Turkic Runic Inscriptions--Original Documents on the History of Central Asia. Translated by L. Peijuan. Heilongjiang Education Press. Rui, C., 1998. Research on Ancient Turkic Inscriptions. Shanghai: Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House. Yang, S., 1991. History of Huihe. Jilin: Jilin Education Press. Lin, Q., 1994. History of Huihe. Inner Mongolia: Inner Mongolia People's Publishing House. Bi, C., 1986. Uighurs and Uighurs. Taipei: Xinwenfeng Publi...

  Uyghur Heritage  Traditional Education Periods The traditional education in the Uyghur Region can be divided into several distinct periods, reflecting the region's diverse religious and cultural influences over the centuries: Shamanism and Manichaeism (552-844 AD) Idiqut Period (850-1250) Buddhist Era (75-992) : This was the most extended period of traditional education in Xinjiang. Islamic Period of Qara Khanlar (870-1211) : This period was centered around Kashgar. Chaghatai Period (1179-1242) : Ili was the centre of educational activities. Sa'idya Khan Period (1514-1678) : Yarkand was the capital. Post-Sa'idya Khan Period : This marks the period following 1678. These periods reflect the significant shifts in religious and cultural paradigms that influenced educational practices and institutions in Xinjiang (Arshidin, p. 35). Modern Education Developments In more recent times, education in Xinjiang has seen considerable progress. Key advancements include: Universal Eleme...

  Uyghur Heritage Uyghur "literati" had been serving in the administrations of various polities in Mongolia before the rise of the Mongol Empire. The spread of the Uyghur alphabet among Mongolic peoples and the development of a literary language were already underway before Genghis Khan united Mongolia. When Genghis Khan conquered the Naiman in 1204, he also incorporated their Uyghur scribes, including Tatar Tonga (T'a-t'a T'unga), who became a tutor to the conqueror's sons. As a result, Uyghurs rose to significant prominence in chancelleries throughout the Mongol realm. With the collapse of the Mongol Empire, the Uyghurs, long a sedentary and commercial-agricultural people, became part of the troubled territory of Mogulistan (Golden, 1992, p. 294). References: Golden, P. B. (1992). An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples . Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. (p. 294).

 Uyghur Heritage  Tixonov has suggested that as much as one-quarter or one-third of the East Turkistan Uyghur population was literate in one or another of various scripts during the 11th-12th century. This period saw a rich and varied literature, predominantly religious in orientation, reflecting the region's diverse religious traditions, including Manichaean, Nestorian Christian, and Buddhist works (Golden, 1992, p. 173). References: Golden, P. B. (1992). An Introduction to the History of the Turkic Peoples . Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. 

Uyghur Buddhist Literature Uyghur Heritage Uyghur Buddhist texts predominantly bear elements of Mahāyāna Buddhism, though some works also reflect Hīnayāna Buddhist influences. The Uyghurs in Turfan replaced their original Old Turkish script with the Sogdian alphabet. Uyghur Buddhist monks and scholars made significant efforts to translate Buddhist scriptures from languages such as Tocharian, Chinese, and Tibetan into their own language. More than twenty extant Buddhist sutras and other works are translated into Uyghur. The main works among them include: Suvarna-prahhāsa-uttamarāja sūtra (the Golden-Light Sutra; altun önglüg yaruq yatrïqlïγ qopda kätrülmïš nom iligi atlïγ nom bitig) : This sutra was found in Qiuquan, Gansu Province by the Russian Malov in 1910. Bodistw taito samtso ačarining yorïgïn uqïtmak atlïγ tsi in čüin tigmä kwi nom bitig (Biography of Xuan Zang) : This work was discovered in 1906. Kuan-ši-im pusar (The Lotus Sutra) Linhua čäčäk üzäki itigi ...

Oq Ya     Meshrep is one of the traditional customs of the Uyghur people, and it has a long history deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. Familiar customs and social ethics facilitate the organisation and management of Meshrep, seamlessly integrating morality, public discipline, art, and education. Meshrep is recognised as the "school of art" and "cradle of manners" for the Uyghur people. Local Characteristics and Variations Meshrep exhibits diverse local characteristics depending on regional styles. Various types and names of Meshrep include: Thirty Men Meshrep : Prominent among the Ili Uyghurs. Dolan Meshrep : Notable among the Dolan Uyghurs. Other Variants include Dolan, Blue (Grass), and Qeyit. These local Meshreps are distinguished by their extensive scope, rich content, and well-organised organisation. Etymology and Meaning The term "Meshrep" is derived from the Arabic word meaning: Personality, character, habit, nature. ...

  Memet T Zunun Recipe Note: Uyghur Polu is a flavorful and hearty dish that combines tender meat, aromatic rice, and vegetables (carrots and onion). Adjust the seasoning and cooking times according to your preferences for a perfect meal. Enjoy your homemade Uyghur Polu! This recipe was prepared by Mr. Mt Zunun. The picture accompanying it illustrates Polu cooked according to his instructions. https://uyghurstudies.blogspot.com/ Ingredients: • 1/2 cup oil • 1 lb lamb or beef, cubed • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced • Salt, to taste • 2 1/4 cups water • 2 cups rice • 1 teaspoon cumin Directions: 1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat (about 7/10 on the stove setting). 2. Add the cubed lamb or beef to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned. 3. Stir in the chopped onion and cook until it becomes translucent and fragrant. 4. Add the sliced carrots to the pot and stir well to combine with the meat and onion. 5. Season with s...