The Uyghur Turks, a Turkic ethnic group predominantly adhering to Islam, constitute a significant community residing in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in northwestern China, with an estimated population of approximately 12 million. As one of the most prominent representatives of the ancient Turkic identity, the Uyghur people have preserved a rich cultural and literary heritage. Uyghur poets, bards, and writers frequently integrate elements of traditional folk culture and long-standing sociocultural practices into their literary compositions. Among these literary figures, one of the most noteworthy is the poet who wrote under the pseudonym “Nimşehit,” whose real name was Ali Sayrami. While Nimşehit initially composed poetry in the folk tradition, he later transitioned toward a socially engaged poetic framework, largely influenced by the prevailing sociopolitical circumstances confronting the Uyghur community. This study critically examines the Karlık Game, a tradition deeply embedded in Uyghur folk culture, within the framework of Nimşehit’s poem Qarliqname. The Karlık Game is a seasonal practice initiated upon the first snowfall of the year, wherein a central component is the so-called “Karlık Letter.” This letter outlines a series of tasks and obligations that participants are expected to fulfill in accordance with the prescribed structure of the game. The first section of this study explores the sociocultural significance and functional role of the Karlık Game within Uyghur traditions, as reflected in Qarliqname. The second section presents a detailed morphological analysis of the poem, systematically comparing its linguistic features with those of Chagatai Turkish, the historical predecessor of modern Uyghur Turkish. The study concludes with a comparative synthesis of the findings, systematically presented in tabular format for analytical clarity.
Uyghur Turks, Karlık Game, Modern Uyghur Turkish.