Cultural chronicle of Xinjiang: preserving tradition, embracing innovation (3)

Dilnur is a social media influencer who promotes traditional Uyghur artworks. (People’s Daily Online/ Kou Jie)

Equation of tradition and innovation

Memtimin’s concern is shared by 29-year-old Dilnur Iskender, who realized that although they bring convenience to her life, modern technologies have also threatened the existence of old Uyghur customs, erasing her childhood memories and the traditional way of living.

“In 2017, a wooden spoon that I had been using since I was a kid was broken. It is made by traditional Uyghur wood carving techniques, and I was shocked to learn that it was impossible to find a replacement, because no one was making those things anymore,” said Dilnur.

After going off in search of her childhood memories, Dilnur came to Hotan, where traditional Uyghur culture is well preserved, to find the last Uyghur wood carving masters. After several months of searching, she could find only 10 craftsmen who knew these traditional techniques, and the youngest of them was over 40 years old.

"All of them had stopped making wood carvings when I found them, because they could not make money from it, while the young generation is reluctant to learn these traditional techniques," said Dilnur.

"Technological advances have threatened the existence of our traditional culture and art, but we can also use modern technologies to revive them. With this in mind, I decided to livestream and sell traditional Uyghur tableware online," added Dilnur, who resigned from her job as a substitute teacher and became a full-time social media influencer in 2020.

After sharing emotional stories of her childhood memories online, Dilnur began to attract more and more attention. Clients from across China were touched by her stories and the interesting cultural significance behind the wooden tableware. They began ordering all kinds of Uyghur wood carving artworks from her, and even fans from other nations such as Russia and Kazakhstan have contacted her, hoping to get an Uyghur spoon for themselves.

"Every day, I can sell around 20,000 yuan in wooden tableware. I have signed contracts with all the carving masters, and now they are happy to continue their work. I feel really happy about that," said Dilnur.

“Traditional culture has a unique appeal to the public. As long as we can tell good stories of our culture to the outside world, our tradition can survive and even thrive in modern times,” added Dilnur.

Gulbanum’s innovations have breathed new life into the once-neglected traditional Uyghur dance. (People’s Daily Online/ Kou Jie)

The enthusiasm for injecting modern vitality into traditional culture is shared by many young people in Xinjiang. 30-year-old Gulbanum Imin, a teacher and an owner of a local Uyghur dance school, is a local celebrity in Korla. Her school, which teaches traditional Uyghur dance, has attracted over 400 students from between the ages of 5 and 60, most of whom are not Uyghurs.

“Though traditional Uyghur dance is loved by many people, it is still necessary to add modern elements to it. As a dance professional, I’ve absorbed ideas from all kinds of dances, including ballet and jazz, and I’ve adapted and added these new elements into traditional Uyghur dance,” said Gulbanum.

Gulbanum’s innovation has breathed new life into the once-neglected traditional Uyghur dance. She has been invited to many cities to perform her new dances, and to tell stories of traditional Uyghur culture on television.

“Tradition is the source of inspiration for innovation, while innovation can prolong a tradition’s life span, bringing new life to old culture. There is an equation of tradition and innovation. As long as you find the balance, you find the secret to keeping tradition alive and allowing it to thrive,” said Gulbanum.