Uyghur Poems

The Uyghur people of Central Asia have a long and distinguished tradition of poetry, flourishing in the medieval period with Sufi forms and classical Turkic. Contemporary poets continue to find inspiration in traditional forms while experimenting with a freer style. Uyghur poetry reflects the magnificent natural landscapes and turbulent past of the Uyghurs, who are a minority in China and facing cultural erasure. This collection is a celebration of an ancient tradition and a witness to a culture under threat.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 26 October 2023
Publisher: Everyman

The Uyghur people of Central Asia have a rich and illustrious poetic tradition that dates back to the 2nd century BCE. During the medieval period, Sufi poetry thrived, incorporating Persian forms like the ghazal, which eloquently expressed themes of beauty, love, loss, and separation. A prominent poet named Alshir Navayi (1441-1501) played a significant role in establishing classical Turkic or Chagatai as a perfect medium for poetic expression. While some contemporary poets continue to draw inspiration from traditional forms, others experiment with more free-flowing verse styles.

Uyghur poetry captures the breathtaking natural landscapes that have shaped the lives of the Uyghurs for centuries. Endless steppes, towering mountain ranges, and enigmatic deserts, traversed by the historic Silk Road, are vividly depicted in their verses. The poetry is also influenced by the Uyghurs' tumultuous past, oscillating between the dominance of warring empires and the rule of marauding warlords. Their present is marked by ongoing struggles and challenges, including the government's systematic efforts to erase their language and culture.

The Uyghurs form a minority in China, where the government is actively engaged in a campaign to suppress their language and culture. Numerous intellectuals have been imprisoned, and many poets, including the editor and translator of this volume, Aziz Isa Elkun, are now writing from exile, residing in London. Uyghur Poems serves as both a celebration of an ancient and vibrant poetic tradition and a poignant witness to a culture that is facing imminent threat. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Uyghur people, who continue to express their heritage through their words despite the oppressive circumstances they face.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 113 x 167 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781841598307