Muqam - Series of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind

Author: Zhou Ji
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Twelve Muqam of the Uyghur people is a significant contribution of the Uyghur ethnic group to the splendid culture of the Chinese nation. It employs various languages and artistic forms such as music, literature, dance, and theater to express the vibrant lives and noble sentiments of the Uyghur people, reflecting their ideals, pursuits, and the joys and sorrows born from the historical conditions of their time. It combines traditional music, instrumental music, literary arts, theater, and dance, embodying both lyrical and narrative characteristics. This musical form stands out in the history of art across the world's ethnic groups, truly exceptional. The history of Muqam is long-standing and vast, deeply rooted in the historical era of the Uyghur people. Although the Uyghur ethnic group encompasses numerous tribes and a vast geographical area, its musical culture exhibits multi-layered and multi-stream characteristics. Yet, it remains distinct from the music of other ethnic groups due to its unique style. The origins of the Twelve Muqams can be traced to two main points from the perspective of time and geography: first, suites and songs that evolved from traditional music passed down from ancient times; and second, regional music, including the music of Kucha, Kashgar, Turpan, Hami, and Hotan, as well as the music of the Dulan people. These temporal and geographical factors intertwine and permeate each other, forming a harmonious whole that gives rise to the national melodic characteristics of the Uyghur people's lifestyle, ethnic traits, moral concepts, and psychological qualities. This characteristic is manifested through unique musical forms, performance methods, and distinctive musical instruments. This book was compiled to promote and introduce the Uyghur Muqam to a broad readership, striving to balance knowledge and academic rigor while providing a multi-faceted, multi-layered, and comprehensive narrative.