Xinjiang Kirgiz Embroidery: "Embroidering" On Horseback Creates Nomadic Style

The Tuoyun Pasture in Tumushuke is located in the Pamirs, with an average altitude of more than 3000 meters. The grassland here is vast, and the distant mountains are like Dai. The breeze blew over the pasture yurts and into every corner of the Pamir Embroidery Cooperative (hereinafter referred to as "Embroidery Cooperative") in Tuoyun Pasture.

Embroidery works of Tuoyun Pasture Pamir Embroidery Cooperative Sun Chenhui/photo

Walking into the processing workshop of the embroidery cooperatives, more than ten embroiderers held embroidery needles and threaded them, quickly sketching out exquisite patterns.

Kirgiz nationality is a nomadic plateau nationality growing on horseback. Embroidery works are naturally nomadic. It is mainly in black, white, red and other rich colors. The sun, moon, stars, flowers, trees, birds and animals are all regular visitors on square cloth.

Kirgiz embroidery has a long history. In 2008, Kirgiz embroidery was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list, and in 2018, it was included in the first batch of national traditional craft revitalization list.

Born in 1981, Sakon Sare is the founder of the embroidery cooperative. With the Kirgiz embroidery skills handed down from generation to generation, the 5-year-old Tukong Sare followed his mother to pick up the embroidery needle.

In 2000, Tokon Sare opened an embroidery shop in the pasture. At first, only three or four people crowded in a 20 square meter space. With the expansion of its scale, in 2015, she officially registered and established the Pamirs Embroidery Cooperative. Today, the embroidery cooperative has grown to 60 members, with 43 skilled "embroiderers".

According to Akemanai, a staff member of Tuoyun Farm, the embroiderers in the embroidery cooperatives are between 40 and 70 years old, and most of them come from ordinary families on the farm. In our spare time, we integrate the embroidery skills passed down from our ancestors into the production of various embroidery products such as Kirgiz costumes, felt hats, tapestries, etc.

The 44 year old Uighur embroiderer, Re Yimu Guli Kelimu, has witnessed the development of the embroidery cooperatives for decades. She told the reporter that in just a few weeks, she had mastered the basic skills of Kirgiz embroidery and gradually became a skilled "embroiderer" today. Working hours here are free, and more work pays more.

Another Uighur embroiderer, Manguli Maigamaiti, worked in the embroidery cooperatives for many years. She sighed: "I first lived in the pasture. After coming to the embroidery cooperatives, I learned from the Kirgiz sisters and learned more about the national culture."

In 2019, Tuoyun Ranch built a new embroidery base covering 517 square meters for the embroidery cooperatives, equipped with embroidery machines, sewing machines, CNC embroidery machines and other equipment, and greatly improved the production conditions through the financial support of Xinjiang aid.

Today, the embroidery cooperatives have a wide range of products, from wall curtains and quilts to all kinds of embroidery with the words "national unity" and "love each other". They are not only sold to the surrounding Atushi, Wuqia County and other places, but also expand the market through retail, cooperation with local clothing stores, and taking orders for school uniforms.

"It used to be handmade by everyone and the speed was very slow. Now we have modern equipment and the output has greatly increased. This year, our annual income is expected to reach 400000 yuan." Tukong Sare said that in the future, he hopes more people will know about Kirgiz embroidery, and at the same time, the cooperative will take more orders to drive more local people to increase their income and become rich.

Tukong Sare, president of Tuoyun Pasture Pamir Embroidery Cooperative, introduces Kirgiz embroidery Sun Chenhui/photo

(Source: China News Network)