Under a century-old willow in Makit County, in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the Chinese mainland, the air hums with history. Dolan Muqam is more than music—it’s a living tapestry weaving the Uygur community together through rhythm, melody, and memory.
For generations, families have gathered to experience these epic performances, where storytellers, singers, and instrumentalists blend poetry with percussion. Today, at 88 years old, master musician Abduwahed continues this legacy, mentoring young artists like Aysha, who records every note on her smartphone before a local festival.
From Tradition to Tomorrow
- Living Heritage: Dolan Muqam endures through oral teaching and communal celebrations.
- New Waves: Digital platforms are connecting this ancient art to global audiences.
- Futurebeat: Young Uygur musicians fuse centuries-old rhythms with modern sounds.
As dusk falls, Abduwahed’s voice drifts across the fields, reminding us that true cultural heritage lives in the exchange between past and future. With every shared song, the Dolan Muqam beats on—timeless, boundary-crossing, and endlessly renewing itself.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
