The Uighurs are one of the oldest Turkic peoples of Central Asia, having experienced extensive cultural interactions across a vast of geographical area throughout the history and lead to the development of a distinct civilization. Nowadays, the Uighur population is predominantly concentrated in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China who possessed a rich cultural heritage, particularly in the fields of literature, music, and performing art. Uighur music is one of the most significant element of folk culture and has attained a classical art form, especially through the “Twelve Uighur Makams.” Makams are multi – layered artistic form that integrates music, poetry, dance, and stage performances. This art has been influenced throughout its historical evolution by Turkish, Persian, Arabic, and Chinese musical traditions. The instruments which used in Uighur folk music exhibited considerable diversity. The musical culture developed in cities such as Kashgar, Hotan, and Turpan is regionally varied with distinct melodic differences observed in the performance of the makams.
Uighur music, mukam, culture, folklore , musical instruments