I am waiting for you in Ili - (DVD disc included with the book)

Author: Zhang Li, Lu Yiping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: The Kazakh people are the dominant ethnic group in Ili. The Kazakhs primarily inhabit northern Xinjiang, surrounded by mountains such as the Tianshan, Altai, and Tarbagatai ranges, with the Junggar Basin and Ili Basin in the center. The Ili River, Tekes River, Irtysh River, Emu River, and Ulungur River crisscross the region, dotted with alpine lakes. Winters are cold, summers are cool, with distinct temperature differences. The mountains surrounding the basins are excellent summer pastures, while the riverbanks and hilly areas are suitable for winter pastures. The Kazakhs have been nomadic herders here for generations.
In the Western Han Dynasty, the Kazakhs were known as the "Wusun." The name "Kazakh" first appeared in the mid-15th century, referring to some nomadic tribes who spoke Turkic languages and split from the Golden Camp Khanate. According to folklore, the name means "warrior," though some say it refers to the "white swan." The Kazakhs adhere to Islam and have their own language and script, belonging to the Turkic branch of the Altaic language family. They once used the Uyghur script and the Turkic script but now use the Kazakh script based on the Arabic alphabet. Horse meat sausages stuffed with horse meat and kumis (fermented mare's milk) are unique Kazakh meat products and beverages. Traditional Kazakh equestrian sports include horseback wrestling (kumite), horse racing, and "gürlü kyz," where a girl chases a boy on horseback.
The Kazakh people have an extremely rich folk literature, including myths, stories, poetry, folk songs, proverbs, and maxims. These works are continuously refined through oral transmission. There are also specialized folk artists who collect, process, preserve, and perform these works—they are the revered and beloved "akyns" of the Kazakh steppe. Often holding a "dombra" (a Kazakh stringed instrument) in their arms, they sing and play while surrounded by crowds, making "akyns" a general term for Kazakh folk singers and dombra players.
Every summer and autumn, grand "akyn singing and playing festivals" are held in various scales. During these events, nomads from hundreds of miles around gather on horseback or in carriages to join the celebration, filling the once-quiet grasslands with joy. P12-13