Revival of Xinjiang’s musical tradition ‘Dolan Muqam’

Blending song, dance, and centuries-old melodies, Dolan Muqam, a vibrant traditional art form of the Uygur ethnic group in northwest China’s Xinjiang, is experiencing a revival, boosting pride among local people in their rich cultural heritage and driving tourism.

Recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity,” the Xinjiang Uygur Muqam Arts of China stand as a living encyclopedia of Uygur culture. In the autonomous region’s Makit County, situated on the western edge of the Taklimakan Desert, China’s largest desert, the Dolan people perform it in the wildest form.Rooted in centuries of tradition, Muqam has long been the soundtrack of Uygur life — echoing through weddings, harvests, and communal gatherings.