Xinjiang in northwest China has long served as a crucial bridge for the exchange of Eastern and Western civilizations. On this vast land, the Uygur and various other ethnic groups have jointly created a rich and unique cultural heritage, which not only carries the historical memories of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang but also is an indispensable and important part of Chinese culture, as well as a treasure of world culture. With the passage of time, the question of how to effectively protect this precious cultural heritage has become increasingly important.
Legislative measures for protecting ethnic minority cultural heritage
Some cultural heritage in Xinjiang is at risk of extinction. Once lost, these unique ethnic characteristics may gradually disappear, potentially weakening national identity and affecting social stability and national unity.
The Kyrgyz epic Manas is one of China's three major heroic epics of ethnic minorities, together with the Tibetan epic Gesar and the Mongolian epic Jangar. It was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative works in 2006. However, it once faced the danger of extinction due to inadequate protection. The government of the Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture has formulated a plan for the rescue and protection of Manas, drafted regulations for its inheritance and protection, and established specialized institutions to guide its preservation. As a result, this heroic epic has regained its vitality.
On the evening of March 20, 2024, the heroic epic Manas is performed by the Xinjiang Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture Song and Dance Ensemble Troupe at the third "Pamir Sound" Ethnic Music Festival in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [Photo by Sun Tingwen/China News Service]
Years ago, a lack of legal framework led to the widespread use of color steel materials in rural buildings in the Mulei Kazakh Autonomous County. This resulted in disorderly construction, mixed materials, diverse colors and styles, and even the cutting down of ancient trees, damaging the traditional architectural and natural landscape. Traditional villages gradually lost their unique character.
In October 2019, the government of Mulei Kazakh Autonomous County implemented the regulations on the protection of traditional villages in the county. These regulations established principles of scientific planning, overall protection, village autonomy, social participation, and so on. The regulations included specific provisions for protecting traditional villages and "Balang houses," which generally have only one floor, with their layout formed in the shape of the letters "I," "L," "U," etc. The materials of "Balang houses" are mainly wood, rammed earth, adobe bricks and tiles, which are very popular among the people in northern Xinjiang, and therefore have been handed down to the present day. This was Xinjiang's first local regulation for protecting traditional villages. Following efforts to improve the rural living environment, all self-built houses in traditional villages were painted gray, significantly enhancing the village's appearance.