Thread: Amazing Uighur Dance and Song Clip

Okay, this isn't bellydance, but I'm obsessed with this clip and I can't stop watching it. This song is so beautiful, and of course the dancing is superb. Can any Turkish speakers understand any of the words? I've heard that the language is part of the Turkish family, and it sure sounds related, but I don't know.

Enjoy!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vK126VXbmDk"]YouTube - Uyghur song and dance Tashlashqan[/ame]

- Leela

That is beautiful. Thanks for sharing this clip. It is a very haunting song and a lovely dance. I love the yellow dress the dancer wears.

I've only watched the first little bit of it but it looks a lot like the dancing and costumes I saw whilst travelling through the 'stan countries (Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan etc). The singer and dancers also look like they could be from that area. I think I have some photos in my profile area of professional performers if you want to compare.

I was going to try to translate the text on the bottom of the screen but it's far too tiny for my eyes to make out.

Yes I agree. I believe it is from one of the 'stan countries. I could look it up. It resembles the Kazakhstani language. Thank you for posting that video clip! It was beautiful.

This is so beautiful and interesting,I wish we could learn some of this dance in Sweden.
It must be from the Xin Jiang province where the Ujghurs live?(East Turkestan)

We only have somewhat related silk road/persian dance classes in Sweden where I live,but in Finland there are artists who perform and teach these styles at festivals.
I also envy those living close to Laurel Victoria Gray!*sighs deep* Silk Road Dance Company: ancient, folkloric, classical & contemporary dance from the Middle East, Caucasus and Central Asia
Uzbek Dance and Culture Society

Yes, it's definitely from Central Asia. I think it's from Uzbekistan.

Also I *must* add that the dancers and singers from this region are otherworldly beautiful!

This is gorgeous. Now I'm obsessed, too. Thanks, Leela!

YouTube user "DulDul601" has lots more Uighur videos, some with wee bits of source information and some with subtitles in, I think, Arabic script. (It's tiny and fuzzy on my monitor.) Worth a look!

Well, it's Uighur, so that means it is probably Xinjiang, but it could also be Uighur people from another Central Asian country. From what I've seen, Uighur dance is similar but distinct from the dances of the other 'stans. But apparently there are Uighur people all over Central Asia and even some in Pakistan (of course I had to go to Wikipedia after I saw this clip).

Tamalynn Dallal traveled to Xinjiang, along with NYC dancer Lissa, to film some dance and music. But it's been a while since I've seen that film. This song stands out for me from the other music I've heard from that region, mainly because it has no disco in it. I also ran across a nother Uighur clip in there, of three men playing lutes similar to baglamas, and it sounded even more like the halfway point between China and Persia. Pretty amazing.

- Leela

I have quite a bit of footage on VHS that my father shot when he was visiting Uzbekistan. He wanted to put it on DVD and sell it at one point. Would anyone be interested?

It's footage of actual dances/dance festivals in Uzbekistan? Tell me a little more about it because I'm interested!

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

It's footage of actual dances/dance festivals in Uzbekistan? Tell me a little more about it because I'm interested!

This was a private show, I believe, arranged for visiting dignitaries. I forget what my dad told me exactly, but they did several dance performances and a fashion show(?).

I haven't watched the footage in ages, so I forget exactly what's on there, but I remember being struck by the beauty and delicacy of the dancers and how charming their costumes were. GORGEOUS spins and turns!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I have quite a bit of footage on VHS that my father shot when he was visiting Uzbekistan. He wanted to put it on DVD and sell it at one point. Would anyone be interested?

Yes,I would be very interested!


OT:
I only know a little about this people and their culture because my dad is an Albanian...huh?
Well,I let the BBC and the Herald Tribune explain it for me:
BBC NEWS | Americas | Albania takes Guantanamo Uighurs
Former Chinese Uighur detainee at Guantanamo reunites with family in Sweden - International Herald Tribune

This is still raising a very heated debate here in Sweden and in Albania.

End of OT.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

This was a private show, I believe, arranged for visiting dignitaries. I forget what my dad told me exactly, but they did several dance performances and a fashion show(?).

I haven't watched the footage in ages, so I forget exactly what's on there, but I remember being struck by the beauty and delicacy of the dancers and how charming their costumes were. GORGEOUS spins and turns!

Great! I'm still interested. I know it is very special, so about how much would you charge for a copy of it? Get back to me when you can. Thanks again!

Originally Posted by Bellydancefanatic

Great! I'm still interested. I know it is very special, so about how much would you charge for a copy of it? Get back to me when you can. Thanks again!

It depends on how much it cost me to get it transferred from VHS to DVD. Let me research and I'll get back to you!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

It depends on how much it cost me to get it transferred from VHS to DVD. Let me research and I'll get back to you!

Thanks!!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

It depends on how much it cost me to get it transferred from VHS to DVD. Let me research and I'll get back to you!

*Shamelessly plugs employer* Walgreens can do it!..g.:

Originally Posted by Lesgemini_Zafirah

*Shamelessly plugs employer* Walgreens can do it!..g.:

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

I forget what my dad told me exactly, but they did several dance performances and a fashion show(?).

The fashion show comment made me laugh...in the 'stans that is EXACTLY what they do when they put on 'tourist' shows....there was always a fashion show! ha Love it - thanks for the memory!

THTX, I am interested too!!! Let me know what you find out.

I'm interested in the DVD too or video, either way.

Originally Posted by emma-bessa

We only have somewhat related silk road/persian dance classes in Sweden where I live,but in Finland there are artists who perform and teach these styles at festivals.

Slightly OT but really, where??? How come I have never managed to catch any Uigur/Uzbek/Kazak/Turkmen workshops in Finland when I am in love with these dances and music? I know that lovely Mohsira Shamahudova (sp?) has been performing at Oriental Dance Festival of Finland some years back but besides her I have rarely managed to even see Central Asian dances in Finland (some Persian yes, but that is already from different cultural background)

It must have *been*Moshira Shamahudova I saw at the ODF in Finland,right?
So beautiful!
We always speak of Finland as the dance Mecca of the east;)
Mostly Persian here too,Shiva Shanandeh does choreographies for Raks el Hawanem and such.

Originally Posted by tamrahennatx

It depends on how much it cost me to get it transferred from VHS to DVD. Let me research and I'll get back to you!

I found this offer on ebay, from a dancer on another list I subscribe to: Convert All Your Videos to DVDs:Convert All Your Videos to DVDs-Free Shipping! - (eBay item 160184090368 end time Dec-01-07 09:56:24 PST)

If that link doesn't work, try this and scroll to the second page until you see the offer:

eBay Store - Middle Eastern Clothing: Belly Dance Bras, Jewelry, Costumes

6 hours of work for $35 and free shipping sounds like a great deal.