Main content

The Uyghur people and the muqam

Lucy Duran explores the music of three of China's 56 different ethnic groups, focusing on muqam, performed by Xinjian Province's Uyghur people.

In the second of two special programmes recorded on location in China, Lucy Duran explores the music of three of the country's 56 different ethnic groups. She visits Xinjiang, China's largest province that makes up one-sixth of the country's land-mass. On the ancient Silk Route, it is also home to the Muslim Uyghur people who perform muqam, a type of music that can be found all over the region from Azerbaijan in the west to China in the east.

Available now

1 hour

Clip

Music and featured items

  • The market in Kashgar, Xinjiang.

    Lucy Duran is in the livestock market in Kashgar, Xinjiang.

    Duration: 05:59

  • Music Played

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      : Muka Dima Jula

  • Xinjiang and the Uyghur people.

    Lucy tells us more about the Xinjiang and the Uyghur people.

    Duration: 11:44

  • Music Played

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      : Merghouli

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      : Small Selike

  • The Islamabad Highway.

    Lucy is on the silk road, the Kashgar – Islamabad Highway.

    Duration: 04:47

  • Music Played

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      Muka Dima Jula

  • A drumming group.

    Lucy hears a form of music unique to this area - a drumming group.

    Duration: 05:02

  • Music Played

    • The Drum and Shawm Band of Shule

      Sanam

  • Music from the Shache area.

    Lucy hears musicians from the Shache area of Xinjiang.

    Duration: 10:41

  • Musicians from the Shache area.

    Lucy hears musicians from the Shache area of Xinjiang, playing extracts from a suite.

    Duration: 10:41

  • Music Played

    • Musicians from the Shache Area of Xinjiang

      : Nawa Muqam

    • Musicians from the Shache Area of Xinjiang

      Nawa Muqam

  • Uyghur Muqam music.

    Lucy is with Professor Zhou Ji, an expert in Uyghur Muqam music.

    Duration: 09:31

  • Music Played

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      First Meshrep from Mushaureq Muqam

  • The buildings of Xinjiang.

    Lucy describes the buildings and area of Xinjiang.

    Duration: 05:30

  • Music Played

    • Dolan Musicians from Mekit

      Hudek Bayawan

  • Musicians performing a Muqam.

    Lucy listens to Dolan musicians performing a Muqam.

    Duration: 06:41

  • Music Played

    • Dolan Musicians from Mekit

      Jula Muqam

  • Uyghur music and tradition.

    Lucy reflects of the Uyghur music and tradition she has heard.

    Duration: 04:28

  • Music Played

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      Merghouli

    • Ensemble of the Xinjiang Arts Institute

      : Meshrep

Broadcasts

  • Sat 21 Jun 2008 15:00
  • Sat 27 Jun 2009 15:00

Featured in...