Report on the status of an element inscribed on the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding

Cover sheet

Name of State Party

This information is available online.

Date of deposit of the instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession

2004-12-02

Name of element

Meshrep

Inscribed in

2010

Please indicate the period covered by this report.

Reporting period covered by this report

January 2011 - December 2015

Please list all other elements from your country inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, together with the year of inscription; for multinational elements, please indicate the other States concerned.

Other elements inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, if any

Please provide an executive summary of the report that will allow general readers to understand the current status of the element, any positive or negative impacts of inscription, the implementation of safeguarding measures during the reporting period and their possible update for the following years.

Executive summary of the report

Meshrep is a widespread event in Uygur communities of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. With diversified forms for different regions or functions, the event is the major occasion for practicing the Uygur traditional customs and displaying such art forms as music, dance, drama, acrobatics, games, and oral expressions, and so on. However, its viability is endangered by numerous factors, including social changes resulting from urbanization and industrialization, the influence of national and foreign cultures, and the migration of young Uygur people to cities for work. The frequency of its occurrence and the number of its participants are progressively diminishing, while the number of bearers who understand its traditional rules and rich content has sharply decreased from hundreds to tens.
The inscription of the element on the Urgent Safeguarding List in November 2010 has positive impacts on its safeguarding. The awareness of the importance and value of their intangible cultural heritage among Uygur people has been gradually raised. Relevant communities, groups, individuals, and non-governmental organizations have actively participated in the safeguarding practice and transmission communication activities and benefited from the process. Over 30 varieties of Meshrep, such as Kok (young crops) Meshrep, Keiyet (Disciplinary) Meshrep, have been recovered and improved since the inscription of the element on the List. By the end of 2015, with the coordination and cooperation of relevant parties, the efficiency of resources utilization has been improved, great achievements have been made in enhancing the viability of the element with the implementation of a series of safeguarding measures, and its endangered status has been effectively eased.
(1) Safeguarding mechanism has been established. Governments and culture departments at all levels have formulated laws, regulations, and safeguarding policies to enhance the construction of the inventory systems and provide financial aid for representative bearers to create favorable condition for them to take apprentices and participate in demonstration and exchange activities.
(2) Supplementary survey on Meshrep has been carried out to collect, collate, and preserve relevant information. Special column for Meshrep has been set up in the website of intangible cultural heritage and digital museum of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
(3) Transmission centers and bases for Meshrep have been founded in major communities to provide the platform of practice, publicity, and exchange for its survival and transmission.
(4) Post-graduate students majoring in the research on Meshrep have been enrolled by institutes of higher learning to support its transmission through formal education of professional degree.
(5) Relevant research achievements, such as Uygur Meshrep Culture and Research on Uygur Meshrep, have been published.

Provide the name, address and other contact information of the person responsible for correspondence concerning the report.

Title (Ms/Mr, etc.)

Ms

Family name

Wang

Given name

Jie

Institution/position

Director

Address

Division of Intangible Cultural Heritage Cultural Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region 312 Renmin Lu Urumqi City Xinjiang 830002

Telephone number

+86-991-8826303

Fax number

E-mail address

xjfyc@sina.cn

Other relevant information

http://www.xjihprc.com

Ms

B. Status of element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List

Refer to the nomination file or to previous reports, if any, as the basis for reporting on the current status of the element, and report only on relevant changes since the date of inscription on the List or since the previous report. Nomination files, specific timetables and earlier reports, if any, are available at https://ich.unesco.org or from the Secretariat, upon request.

The State Party shall pay special attention to the role of gender and shall endeavour to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparing this report, and is asked to describe how it has done so in point D below.

B.1.

Social and cultural functions

Please explain the social and cultural functions and meanings of the element today, within and for its community, the characteristics of the bearers and practitioners, and any specific roles or categories of persons with special responsibilities towards the element, among others. Attention should be given to any relevant changes related to inscription criterion U.1 (‘the element constitutes intangible cultural heritage as defined in Article 2 of the Convention’).

Social and cultural functions

(1) Social and Cultural Functions
Found among the Uygur people concentrated largely in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Meshrep constitutes the most important cultural carrier of Uygur traditions, an important channel for the public to learn, transmit, and carry forward ethics and moralities, folk customs and etiquettes, and culture and art, as well as the important part of Uygur traditional festivals and folk activities. Meshrep functions both as a "court", where the host mediates conflicts and ensures the preservation of moral standards, and as a "classroom", where people can learn about their traditional customs. It provides rich traditional knowledge, etiquettes and customs, and sustainable cultural identity for the own ethnic group. Through participating in the peactices, the awareness of the common identity and the sense of belonging to the culture in the communities can be maintained and strengthened.
There are dozens of varieties of Meshrep with different names. For example, the Kok (young crops) Meshrep is held in springtime; the Hoxallik (festivity) Meshrep takes place at weddings, adulthood rites, harvest and festivals; the Namakul (apology) Meshrep is held to mediate conflicts or settle disputes; the Keiyet (disciplinary) Meshrep is performed with the aim of criticizing immoral behaviors or educating the public; the Dolan Meshrep is meant to show admiration for the hunting life and bravery of the ancestors; and the Ketaphan (storytelling) Meshrep serves as a sort of review of literature. Thus, the word put in front of Meshrep indicates the social and cultural function it is meant to perform.
(2) Characteristics of the Bearers and Practitioners
Meshrep is mainly transmitted by hosts who are familiar with its rules, cultural connotations, and regional styles, and by virtuoso folk artists who frequently participate in the events. They learn the tradition either from older hosts and skilled folk artist, or by frequently attending the Meshrep events. They become hosts of the Meshrep called Yigit Bexi only after obtaining the appreciation and recognition of the local masses. Meanwhile, the transmission of Meshrep cannot dispense with the majority of Uygur people who participate in its actual practice. In general, the event is participated by hundreds of people. Male or female, young or old, everyone is the participant. Currently, women and young people are playing an increasingly important role in the transmission of the element.
(3) Specific Roles or Categories of Persons with Special Responsibilities towards the Element
Meshrep is hosted by Yigit Bexi elected by the local people. Yigit Bexi is the core bearer of Meshrep who shoulders special responsibilities. Being familiar with the rules and styles of Meshrep, he has the supreme power to preside over the rituals, songs and dances, games, mock court proceedings, and so on.

B.2.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

Please describe the current level of viability of the element, particularly the frequency and extent of its practice, the strength of traditional modes of transmission, the demographics of practitioners and audiences and its sustainability. Please also identify and describe the threats, if any, to the element's continued transmission and enactment and describe the severity and immediacy of such threats, giving particular attention to any strengthening or weakening of the element’s viability subsequent to inscription.

Assessment of its viability and current risks

(1) Current Level of Viability
The population of the Uygur ethnic group in China is 8,399,393 (in 2000). The majority of them, 8,345,622, live in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, accounting for 99.4% of the total Uygur population in China. The Uygur people living in Xinjiang gather mainly at oases around the Tarim Basin to the south of Tianshan Mountains, especially at the Kashgar oasis, Hotan oasis, and along the Aksu River and Tarim River basins. Meshrep is centered in these regions. The traditional forms are still maintained, especially in the vast rural area, showing extensive and lasting cultural impact and social demand in the life of the Uygur people. After the inscription of the element on the List, the awareness of the value of Meshrep has been further raised among the public and the frequency and scope of relevant practice have been further improved and expanded. With the implementation of such transmission and safeguarding measures as formal education, publicity, and publication, the rich connotation and outstanding culture value of Meshrep have been extensively demonstrated and recognized. Its viability has been obviously enhanced. For example, a total of 445 Kok (young crops) Meshrep have been organized in oasis towns and townships like Astane, Kara Dowe, Rahat Bagh and mountain areas like Tengri Tagh and Gherbi Tagh in Hami City from 2011 to 2015.
By establishing the bearer training mechanism, the number of representative bearers has increased with more young people participating in the transmission of Meshrep. At present, there are in total 209 representative bearers. The major and active channels for the transmission of Meshrep are still intergenerational transmission within families and from bearers to their apprentices.
In addition, lovers of the element have emerged from all walks of life. In particular, the safeguarding practice has been integrated into the formal education system in Kashgar City, Awat County, Mori Kazakh Autonomous County, and so on, through bringing the games, songs, and dances of Meshrep into classroom to expand the group of practitioners and strengthen the intergenerational transmission to a certain extent.
Xinjiang TV and other media have actively promoted Meshrep in various kinds of activities in cities and towns, making it possible to maintain the vitality of the element in diversified ways.
(2) Current Threats
The way of people's production and living has been changed with the rapid development of urbanization and modernization. Therefore, the natural environment of agriculture civilization and related cultural and ecological environment for the practice of Meshrep have been changed as well. The number of Meshrep events organized spontaneously by the Uygur people according to the traditional procedure has diminished. Sometimes the form has been simplified and sometimes the connotation has been changed. The strong impact of modern media and popular culture has made many distinctive social and cultural functions of Meshrep decline or replaced. Training and education aimed at future bearer is also facing new problems and the traditional modes of transmission could hardly be continued. With the implementation of the bearer training mechanism and the participation of young people, the trend of sharp decrease of hosts (Yigit Bexi) for Meshrep has been controlled. More opportunities have been provided for young people to command traditional cultural and art techniques, yet their interest in them is weakening. A lot of young people have left the transmission process of the element to continue their advanced education or to find a new job, posing the threat of disruption to the transmission of the element.

B.3.

Implementation of safeguarding measures

Please report on the safeguarding measures described in the nomination file, and previous report, if any. Describe how they have been implemented and how they have substantially contributed to the safeguarding of the element during the reporting period, taking note of external or internal constraints such as limited resources. Include, in particular, information on the measures taken to ensure the viability of the element by enabling the community to continue to practise and transmit it. Include the following detailed information concerning the implementation of the set of safeguarding measures or safeguarding plan:

B.3.a.

Objectives and results

Indicate what primary objective(s) were addressed and what concrete results were attained during the reporting period.

Objectives and results

During the reporting period, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has set the following objectives on the basis of consolidating the previous achievements in the safeguarding of Meshrep: the first is to improve the transmission mechanism for Meshrep, especially the bearer training mechanism; the second is to explore and recover its diversified social and cultural functions; the third is to stimulate the enthusiasm of the public, in particular young people, to participate in Meshrep practice; the fourth is to train Meshrep hosts and new practitioners to constantly improve the viability of the element and relieve the threat and risk.
After the inscription on the List, concrete results have been attained in Meshrep practice and transmission. Currently, intangible culture heritages, including Meshrep, have been safeguarded through legislation at local, autonomous region, and national levels; the bearer training mechanism of Meshrep has been established to provide financial aid for representative bearers and encourage the training of new hosts and excellent practitioners through taking apprentices, providing training courses, and other forms; the supplementary survey on Meshrep in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been implemented to collect and collate the audio and video materials of the endangered Meshrep forms for research and promotion; the construction of pilot zone for the preservation of transmission space and cultural ecology has been completed so that the communities where the element is centered may organize practice, promotion, and exchange activities on a regular basis for improving the frequency of practice and viability of traditional procedures. Modern media like TV station, website, and digital museum have been used to improve the visibility and recognition of the element and promote the exchange and mutual respect of different cultures. The conference on the safeguarding of Meshrep in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has been held and interviews with experts on the safeguarding of Meshrep have been broadcasted on Xinjiang TV to promote the relevant academic research on the element; post-graduate students majoring in the research on Meshrep have been enrolled by institutes of higher learning to support its transmission through formal education of professional degree.

B.3.b.

Safeguarding activities

List the key activities that were carried out during this reporting period in order to achieve these expected results. Please describe the activities in detail and note their effectiveness or any problems encountered in implementing them.

Safeguarding activities

Key activities that were carried out during the reporting period and the effectiveness:
(1) The bearer training mechanism has been established and improved. At present, there are 209 representative bearers of Meshrep. They are supported by governments at all levels with financial aids, exemption from volunteer work, free medical examination, and other ways so as to carry out practice and transmission activities. In the past five years, over 200 training workshops have been organized by relevant competent bodies for safeguarding to train and select excellent bearers. Mori Kazakh Autonomous County has included Tagh Meshrep into the extracurricular activities in primary schools in such key areas as Bostan County and Dong Qeng County to improve the participation of teenagers.
(2) Supplementary survey has been carried out by safeguarding bodies and relevant communities in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to keep salvage record of a great deal of precious information through on-site recording and collection of physical assets. With video of 507 hours, audio of 139.7 hours, 12,410 pictures, and 236 physical assets, the preliminary archive system of Meshrep is established.
(3) The construction of the pilot zone for the preservation of cultural ecology, transmission centers, and transmission bases have been completed in communities where the element is centered. For example, folk art groups have been founded in culture centers of Kara Tal County and Aykol County of Aksu City, and transmission club and art team of Tagh Meshrep have been founded in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County. These folk groups have organized activities regularly, which greatly mobilized the enthusiasm of folk artists and the public in the communities and from the ourside to participate in relevant activities. The practice, promotion and exchange activities of Meshrep have been organized during such festivals and events as Noruz, Cultural Heritage Day, Hundred Day Square Culture Activity, Peasants and Herdsmen Art Show.
(4) Modern media methods have been used in improving the visibility and recognition of Meshrep. In order to promote and exhibit the element, Xinjiang TV Channel II has broadcasted programs on Meshrep at different places and the Reserach Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has set up special columns for Meshrep on its website and digital museum (http://www.xjihprc.com/) and has been to townships and towns in Hami for many times to shoot the thematic documentary Kok Meshrep.
(5) The conference on the safeguarding of Meshrep in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was held in 2013. Heads of cultural departments of 12 cities and counties, and 8 prefectures and autonomous prefectures and representative bearers have attended the conference which summarized the completed work on safeguarding Meshrep and made plans for future work.
(6) The construction of the inventory systems has been enhanced. Currently, Meshrep of 4 prefectures and autonomous prefectures and 5 cities and counties (Makit County, Awat County, Aksu City, Mori Kazakh Autonomous County, and Hami City) has been inscribed on the List of National Intangible Cultural Heritage and that of 9 prefectures and autonomous prefectures and 11 cities and counties has been inscribed on the List of Autonomous Region Level Intangible Cultural Heritage. 47 units for safeguarding the element have been identified. Through the promotion of the construction of the inventory systems at all levels, the participants of the safeguarding and transmission of Meshrep have expanded to the whole society.
(7) Post-graduate students majoring in the research on Meshrep have been enrolled by institutes of higher learning to support its transmission through formal education of professional degree. From 2014 to 2015, Music Department of Xinjiang Arts Academy has enrolled four post-graduate students majoring in the research on Meshrep and opened relevant courses like Research on Meshrep; many post-graduate students from School of Humanities in Xinjiang University and School of Music in Xinjiang Normal University have chosen the research on Meshrep as the topic of their graduation thesis. A number of academic papers and monographs have been published.
The full implementation of these safeguarding measures has effectively alleviated the endangered situation of Meshrep and enhanced its viability. The existing problems still lie in the fast transformation from traditional agricultural society to modern industrial society, the impact of mass culture on tradition, and so on. Compared with training and supporting relevant subjects of safeguarding and transmission, it is more important, urgent, and difficult to maintain and preserve the social environment favorable to the element.

B.3.c.

Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Describe how communities, groups or, if appropriate, individuals as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have effectively participated, including in terms of gender roles, in the safeguarding measures. Describe the role of the implementing organization or body (name, background, etc.) and the human resources that were available for implementing safeguarding activities.

Participation of communities, groups or individuals in the safeguarding activities

Communities, groups, and individuals concerned, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have participated in the implementation of the safeguarding measures. Relevant communities in the transmission areas of Meshrep like Aksu, Kashgar, Hotan, Hami, Turpan, the local centers for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, and hundreds of organizations including safeguarding units of the element, schools, and media, have closely collaborated in the implementation of the safeguarding measures. More than 800 activities have been organized since 2010.
Apart from carrying out transmission and practice activities to fulfill the obligation of bearers to train two to three new bearers yearly, the 209 representative bearers have also organized a diversity of cultural activities together with administrators in local communities and actively cooperated with TV stations and researchers in shooting programs and interviews to promote the research on Meshrep. The skills and performances have been improved continuously in these activities and well recognized among the local people. At present, people in over 30 cities and counties, including Makit County, Yarkand County, Yengisar County, and Hami City, organize voluntarily an anual large-scale Meshrep event respectively, attracting over 100,000 local residents and people from neighbourhoods.
Non-governmental organizations in different places have actively implemented transmission and demonstration activities based on cultural centers in villages and towns, transmission centers, and transmission bases. For example, the transmission club of Tagh Meshrep in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County, the art team of Tagh Meshrep in Shenjiagou village of Dong Qeng COunty, and the transmission club of Meshrep in Bostan COunty have organized demonstration and training activities during festivals and slack season from farming. There are in total 20 members in the transmission club of Tagh Meshrep in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County, including 9 females. The eldest member in the club is 67 years old and the youngest one is 30 years old. 14 of them are below 50 years old.
Such institutes of higher learning as Xinjiang Folklore Research Center of Xinjiang University, School of Music in Xinjiang Normal University, have published a number of academic achievements, including the monographs Uygur Meshrep Culture (In Uygur), and Research on Uygur Meshrep. The Institute of China Uygur Classical Literature and Muqam has also collected, collated, and published the video and book China Uygur Meshrep (DVD).
The Research Centre for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang has taken the lead in the survey and research on Meshrep by providing overall plan for the resources related to the safeguarding of the element and enhancing operational guidance. It has mobilized nearly 360 bearers, experts and scholars, and officials from the cultural authorities to participate in the safeguarding of Meshrep.

B.3.d.

Timetable and budget

Indicate in a timetable when each activity was implemented and the funds that were used for its implementation, identifying the source of funding for each (governmental sources, in-kind community inputs, etc.).

Timetable and budget

In 2011
(1) Bearer Training Mechanism
Financial aid for autonomous region level bearers: 58,000 RMB
Financial aid for other bearers: 222,000 RMB
Training workshops, transmission and practice events: 320,000 RMB
(2) Field research, recording, and filing: 500,000 RMB
(3) Community Activities
Repairing the venue for transmission and practice and purchasing props: 600,000 RMB
Promotion and demonstration activities in different places: 500,000 RMB

In 2012
(1) Bearer Training Mechanism
Financial aid for autonomous region level bearers: 54,000 RMB
Financial aid for other bearers: 280,000 RMB
Training workshops, transmission and practice events: 396,000 RMB
(2) Supplementary survey, documentation, etc.:478,000 RMB
(3) Repairing the venue for transmission and practice and purchasing props: 550,000 RMB
(4) Activities organized by relevant communities and organizations: 580,000 RMB
(5) Research and publication: 150,000 RMB

In 2013
(1) Bearer Training Mechanism
Financial aid for autonomous region level bearers: 62,000 RMB
Financial aid for other bearers: 340,000 RMB
Training workshops, transmission and practice events: 450,000 RMB
(2) Recording, documentation, etc.: 400,000 RMB
(3) Repairing the venue for transmission and practice and purchasing props: 900,000 RMB
(4) Activities organized by relevant communities and social clubs: 840,000 RMB
(5) Construction of digital museum: 30,000 RMB
(6) The conference on the safeguarding of Meshrep in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region: 150,000 RMB
(7) Research and publication: 170,000 RMB

In 2014
(1) Bearer Training Mechanism
Financial aid for autonomous region level bearers: 62,000 RMB
Financial aid for other bearers: 380,000 RMB
Training workshops, transmission and practice events: 350,000 RMB
(2) Field research, documentary production: 480,000 RMB
(3) Repairing the venue for transmission and practice and purchasing props: 560,000 RMB
(4) Activities organized by relevant communities and organizations: 650,000 RMB
(5) Training post-graduate students: 150,000 RMB
(6) Maintenance of digital museum: 20,000 RMB

In 2015
(1) Bearer Training Mechanism
Financial aid for autonomous region level bearers: 77,000 RMB
Financial aid for other bearers: 560,000 RMB
Training workshops, transmission and practice events: 400,000 RMB
(2) Field research, documentary production: 540,000 RMB
(3) Repairing the facilities for transmission and practice and purchasing props: 720,000 RMB
(4) Activities organized by relevant communities and organizations: 850,000 RMB
(5) Training post-graduate students: 150,000 RMB
(6) Research and publication: 250,000 RMB
(7) Maintenance of digital museum: 20,000 RMB

The majority of the funds come from the investment of the central government and governments at all levels and a small amount comes from non-governmental organizations.

B.3.e

Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

Provide an overall assessment of the effectiveness of the activities undertaken to achieve the expected results and of the efficiency of the use of funds for implementing the activities. Please indicate how the activities contributed to achieving the results and whether other activities could have contributed better to achieving the same results. Also indicate whether the same results could have been achieved with less funding, whether the human resources available were appropriate and whether communities, groups and individuals could have been better involved.

Overall effectiveness of the safeguarding activities

The overall effect of the safeguarding activities implemented after the inscription on the List basically meets the expectation of the commitment made in the nomination. With the forming of a reasonable transmission and safeguarding mechanism for the element, people of different ethnic groups in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region have gradually deepened their recognition and understanding of Meshrep and reached cultural identity and consciousness. With their free, prior and informed content, relevant communities, groups, and individuals have participated in the whole process of the implementation of the safeguarding measures. Up to now, 47 Meshrep safeguarding units (5 at national level and 16 at autonomous region level) and 209 representative bearers, including 1 at national level, 20 at autonomous region level (4 deceased), 13 at prefecture (autonomous prefecture, city) level, and 179 at county level, have been identified. The special funds have been mainly used in the urgent recording and preservation of Meshrep, transmission and practice activities of bearers, renting and repairing of transmission and practice facilities, theoretical research and illustration, publication, promotion, and demonstration activities. Over 30 relevant communities in Makit County, Yarkand County, and Hami City, and so on, have encouraged hosts and folk artists to organize Meshrep events to expand the participation in Meshrep in the whole region of Xinjiang. Pilot zone of preservation for cultural ecology has been established in Yarkand County to strive for creating favorable environment and conditions for the safeguarding and transmission of Meshrep. Special performances and professional interviews continuously shown on the mass media like Xinjiang TV, have provided effective supplement to its transmission.
Non-governmental organizations have gradually become a major force in safeguarding Meshrep. After the inscription on the List, bearers from Mori Kazakh Autonomous County, Akto County, Kuchar County, Toksu County, and Yiwu County have founded a diversity of organizations to participate in the safeguarding of Meshrep in different ways. Researchers and lovers of the element have introduced the knowledge of the social function, cultural significance, and value and form of Meshrep to different audiences through their research achievements and websites to strengthen the viability of the element.
The proportion of young people participating in Meshrep event during weddings and festivals has been continuously increased and means of modern technology have promoted the transmission and diversified development of Meshrep. Meshrep focusing on life customs, celebrations, and social management has been recovered in rural areas.
With the recovery and improvement of such traditional forms of Meshrep as Kok (young crops) Meshrep and Keiyet (disciplinary) Meshrep, the situation of the long term simplification and connotation variation of the element has been gradually changed.
However, there is still a lack of international cooperation on the research of Meshrep. There's few foreign academic research on Meshrep. The current conditions under the established commitment still couldn't meet the requirement for organizing international research. This should be one of the priorities for future safeguarding efforts.

Please describe how communities, groups and individuals, as well as relevant non-governmental organizations have been involved, including in terms of gender roles, in updating the safeguarding plan, and how they will be involved in its implementation.

Community participation

After the inscription on the List, relevant communities, groups, and individuals, as well as non-governmental organizations in the compact areas of Uygur people in Xinjiang have actively participated in the safeguarding and transmission of Meshrep with free, prior and informed content. Relevant communities in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Hami City, Aksu Prefecture, and Kashgar Prefecture, and so on, and the Reserach Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang have implemented the safeguarding measures for the element together. Through organization of exhibition and performance activities of Meshrep on a regular basis and training of young bearers via intergenerational transmission within families and taking apprentices, they are continuously improving the frequency and scope of the safeguarding efforts. Non-governmental organizations have organized a large number of promotion and exchange activities favorable to the viability of the element and the expansion of its basis among the public. Relevant associations, educational and research institutions have also carried out active exploration in terms of the training of talents, researches, and publications. The Institute of China Uyghur Classical Literature and Muqam has taken the lead in the collection, collating, and publication of the video and audio materials of over 30 varieties of Meshrep for different cultural functions in the compact areas of Uygur people in Xinjiang, including Kok (young crops) Meshrep, Keiyet (disciplinary) Meshrep, and Dolan Meshrep; several institutes of higher learning and research centers have also given full play of their advantages to train a group of high-level talents focusing on the study of Meshrep; related academic works and theses have also been published, which further improved the theoretical level of the researches on Meshrep.
Based on the wide recognition on the significance of the safeguarding of the element, related community organizations, representative bearers, and Uygur people have showed the willingness to participate in the actions for safeguarding the element, organize and participate in practices according to the tradition, and train young bearers to try their best to create sustainable transmission mechnism and healthy social and cultural ecology, and effective safeguarding and dynamic transmission of Meshrep. Such representative bearers as Ali Ibram, Talip Kuwan, Osman Sidek have promised to actively fulfill their obligation for transmission and support relevant communities and organizations in the implementation of the safeguarding plan of the element.

Please report on the institutional context for the local management and safeguarding of the element inscribed on the Urgent Safeguarding List, including:

1. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding;
2. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding.

Institutional context

a. the competent body(ies) involved in its management and/or safeguarding:
Department of Culture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

b. the organization(s) of the community or group concerned with the element and its safeguarding:
Research Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Transmission Club of Tagh Meshrep in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County
Art Team of Tagh Meshrep in Shenjiagou Village of Dong Qeng County in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County
Transmission Club of Meshrep in Bostan County in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County
Folk Art Group of Culture Center of Kara Tal Town in Aksu City
Folk Art Group of Culture Center of Aykol Town in Aksu City
Cultural Center of Yining County
Cultural Center of Mori Kazakh Autonomous County
Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hami City
Cultural Center of Gaochang District in Turfan City
Folk Culture Museum of Korla City
Cultural Center of Aksu City
Cultural Center of Awat County
Cultural Center of Akto County
Cultural Center of Shule County
Center for the Research and Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Makit County
Cultural Center of Poskam County
Cultural Center of Maralbexi County
Cultural Relic Management Institute in Yopurga County
Cultural Relic Management Institute in Pishan County
Cultural Center of Keriye County
Cultural Center of Minfeng County
Xinjiang Folklore Research Center of Xinjiang University
School of Music in Xinjiang Normal University
Music Department of Xinjiang Arts Acedemy
Research Center of Xinjiang Intangible Cultural Heritage of Shihezi University
Institute of Xiyu Culture in Tarim University
School of Arts in Kashgar University
Institute of China Uygur Classical Literature and Muqam

Describe the measures taken to ensure the widest possible participation of the communities, groups and, where applicable, individuals concerned as well as relevant non-governmental organizations during the process of preparation of this report.

Participation of communities in preparing this report

From 2013 to 2014, the Research Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has carried out on-site investigations in relevant communities of Hami City, Turfan City, and Qeshqer Prefecture, and interviewed bearers such as Kasim Yakup and Eset Muhtar, as well as related local people. in April 2013, the conference on the safeguarding of Meshrep in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was organized. Heads of 12 safeguarding units and 4 representative bearers including Alim Tohti, Tursun Ezim, Ibrayin Rekip and Seidulla Nurxa attended the conference. In February and March of 2016, Cultural Department of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the Research Center for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Xinjiang have organized experts to fully discuss the achievements and problems in the safeguarding work of the past years and completed the drafting of the report which not only gathers the written reports of all safeguarding units on their work but also absorbs the suggestions of experts and scholars from research institutions like Xinjiang University, Xinjiang Normal University, and so on.
During the preparations of the report on the status of the element, communities, groups, and individuals in the compact areas of Uygur people and relevant non-governmental organizations confirmed the contents and provided their suggestions on the premise of prior knowledge. For example, representatives from the Transmission Club of Tagh Meshrep in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County and the Transmission Club of Meshrep in Bostan in Mori Kazakh Autonomous County have participated in the related discussions on the drafting of the report and provided or added their experience and specific cases of the safeguarding practice of the element.

Director

C. Signature on behalf of the state party

The report should conclude with the original signature of the official empowered to sign it on behalf of the State, together with his or her name, title and the date of submission.

Name

XIE Jinying

Title

Director General, Bureau for External Cultural Relations, Ministry of Culture, People's Republic of China

Date

27-05-2016

Signature