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Uyghur Identity And Vulnerability
- The Uyghurs are a Turkish-speaking, majority-Muslim people with a distinct homeland in Xinjiang that predates modern PRC rule.
- Their language, religion, and appearance make them visibly distinct and politically vulnerable within China.
Cultural Rituals Sustain Community
- Mesrep (harvest festival) and other cultural practices bind Uyghur communities and transmit identity across generations.
- These rituals persisted as forms of resilience while Uyghurs lived under external pressure to assimilate.
Hidden Books From The Cultural Revolution
- Abdul Valiayu remembers having 'red' revolutionary books and secret 'yellow' Uyghur books hidden at home during the Cultural Revolution.
- His family hid Uyghur books to protect children from persecution and preserve heritage.