2010 International Conference on Educational and Network Technology (ICENT 2010)
Study of sports culture ecology in Xinjiang Ethnic Groups
Tie Li
Sports Institute of Xinjiang NOlmal University
Xinjiang Normal University
xjlitie2008@163.com
Abstract-Traditional ethnic minority sports culture plays its
role both in life skills training, young people's physical exercise
and human socialization functions. It is the result of mutual
adaptation between local ecology, its natural and social ecology.
It not only reflects the geographical diversity of national
culture, but also shows participants the needs in physical
health, personality and identity, thus it is an important
form ,and resulted in interactions of three aspects among
physical, social and cultural with nature and social ecology in
all local ethnics. In this paper, the author by using the overall
of biological and cultural anthropology ethnology and cultural
relativity , to make an analysis of typical traditional sports
items, from the perspective of cultural ecological
demonstrate their status and their culture interactions in the
whole nation cultural.
Key words-Ethnic Groups in Xinjiang, sports culture,
ecology
The diversity of Xinjiang national, linguistic and
religious is rare in other regions. The various ethnic groups
of Xinjiang all have their ancient source, the culture they
inherited deeply reflected the cultural elements of East and
West. There are quite differences in parts of nations,
traditions, and customs are also different. With the
circulation of geographical and civilization, people realized
that their best interests can only be achieved through mutual
benefit. [1]All ethnic groups lived in Xinjiang have formed
the cultural system of the interdependence and common
development in the long period. Cultural differences have
been rooted in all their hearts earlier. Nations have different
personalities and cultural entities. Recognize and respect its
differences is the foundation to create a sound cultural
ecology. The formation of various ethnic groups of sports
culture in Xinjiang is inextricably linked to the languages
and religions and other factors inherent in all ethnic groups.
Uighurs once had a variety of religious beliefs in history, In
addition to long-term existence of the original religion, they
had also believed in Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism,
Nestorianism and Buddhism [2]. And other religions are
completely replaced by Islam, Muslims has become a
universal religion by Uighur nation. Kirgiz has gone
through the original religion, totem worship, the color
worship, shamanism, Tibetan Buddhism and Zoroastrianism,
in early 18th century, Islam eventually become the majority
of Kirghiz people believe in religion. Tajik religious beliefs
one after another takes for the original nature worship,
Zoroastrian faith, Buddhist faith, and the fmally to Ismailis
the version of Islam [3,4]. Tajik Islamic faith are universal,
but their faith is Ismailis, the important Shiite faction in
Islam two major tribes.[5]. At this point, they are different
from the mountain Tajik Muslims in Xinjiang Uygur, Kirgiz,
Uzbek and other ethnic ,they are also different from the
978-1-4244-7662-6/$26.00 CO 2010 IEEE
Urumqi, China
Tajiks lived in plain. Mongolians in Xinjiang once took
belief of Islam in history, but now most of them take belief
for zha-ser-pa Lamaism. .
I. YAK SPORTS CULTURE
Tajik is the livestock populations lived in high
mountains, located in high altitude and low temperature rear
area, there are many specific varieties of the livestock they
reared, such as yak, cheating cattle, and Tibetan sheep [6].
Yak is a unique species of alpine grassland cattle livestock,
is the mamm al animal that lived in the highest altitude in
, to
the world.
A. Yak Competition
Just like the horses are indispensable good helpers for
herdsmen, yaks are essential carrying tools for Tajik
herdsmen lived in the mountainous plateau. Yak in the heart
of Tajik herders lived in the mountains is equally important
as the horses to the herdsmen, loved and worshiped by Tajik
people. Yak is good at hiking, but they wild in nature, more
power and ferocious than Mustangs, hard to tame. By
tireless efforts and skilled Tajik herdsmen, Yak has become
available for transport and riding. Once the yak has been
tamed and can be supplied for riding, and they can take part
in race just like the horse. Mountain Tajik farmers hold a
sports entertainment-Yak Race every year. The winners
not only be rewarded but also become personal heroes.
Same with the race of horse, the sports and entertainment
events of yak race has a certain risk, and the joyful
atmosphere is a reflection of the ethnic Tajik their vision
and the pursuit of a better life.
B. Diaoyang riding a yak
Highlands, particularly at an altitude of 5 km above the
prairie, the horse could not run either, so the yak can only
selected for highland Games as they most adapted to
highland life. As the altitude is high, Tajiks, " Diaoyang" is
riding a yak to scramble for a sheep, has become a unique
sports Tajik competitive way. When" Diaoyang " race is
held, they also used a Tajik music " Tom Beik "to heighten
the atmosphere, especially when the competition is fierce,
more loud music will presented, the popular tune is
"Monarch to Eagle "familiar by Tajik people. Winners in
accordance with local customs, run out of area in the
audience cheers. The sheep is thrown in front of the village
yurt door, and the game ended. It is said whose door the
scrambled sheep is thrown good luck will bring them.
Finally, the winner will grilled lamb on the spot and ask
everyone to share, known as "Happy Meat." Tajik always in
favor of yak's tough, now on the Taxkorgan County square,
standing a huge statue with a performance of Tajik youth
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 2010 International Conference on Educational and Network Technology (ICENT 2010)
riding a yak Diaoyang.
II. FEATURES HORSE CULTURAL MOVEMENT
From ancient times, Kirgiz were known as "The Nation
on Horse" [7]. Kirgiz horse culture is an integral part of the
history and culture of this nation. horses not only means of
mount. the campaign, transport. but also their friends to
Kirghiz people. Kirgiz horse culture is not only reflected in
their game and athletic activities, but also reflected their
belief worships and these deep-seated cultural structures.
Matsu worship, cult and funeral ceremonies are almost all
closely related to horses.[8] To explore the horse culture of
Kirgiz and must from their living environment, mode of
producing and the deep heritage of. Kirgiz folk
cultural .Kirgiz horse sports are an important part of
cultures of Kirgiz nation, which includes two aspects. First,
the horse game continues to this day of the nation, second
the competitive sports events. The game mainly includes
"diaoyang ", "chasing girls" and so on.
A. Diaoyang
Diaoyang is the game by young men, a tacit
understanding between riders and horses, and the display
and contest of skills and physical, also a disclosure the joy
of this nation. The sheep for match generally between 20-30
kilograms, the game taken on by Kirghiz compatriots is
more often Diaoyang, and some herdsmen lived in the south
areas of the Kyrgyz Republic, sometimes scramble calf
about one year old, weighing not less than 70 kg [8]. Before
the game the offal are laughtered, then placed it in clear
water infiltrated for few hours. When the game begin, the
referee will throw the slaughter sheep into the central area,
as soon as the password rings, horse riders tight embrace
with left hand, his mouth addict to the whip, bow deeply
and back stoop, all players diving toward sheep like eagles,
and the competition begins. Riders can only ride within the
limits prescribed, sheep transferred among the riders.
Which the team who can avoid chasing from the side, and
fmally throw the sheep into the predetermined location,
such as certain large trees or yurts and so on, the side is to
win.
B. Chasing Girls
Chasing girls is the most widely spread and popular
game by young men and women among Kirghiz nation.[9]
Participants in the game of "Chasing Girls" are all
unmarried girls and boys. Young men and women got
married soon occasionally join in, to bring fun for people.
The game was held mostly over the woman's own family
wedding or engagement ceremony. When the game starts,
girls and boys riding stood still and in line on the horse
ground over 100 field meters long [IO].When order rings,
the young men begin to chase the girls. To catch up with the
girl with in 1000 meters is not an easy thing. There are three
reasons: first before the game the girls stand in front of the
guys 25-30 meters ahead, which is quite a long distance to
the only 1000 meters; second before the game the girls have
the rights to pick the fastest horses for their horses,
remaining only the slow ones for the young men; and third
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before the start of game the girl's wife who will ride around
the girls for their security, not to let the young men' horses
ride near them. If the guy has exquisite ride arts, is able to
evade their block skillfully and catch up with the girl before
reaching the end. At this time, he can march side by side
with the girl in front of many friends and relatives, talking
whisper. To the young man; this is undoubtedly a very
pleasant thing to enjoy. If the girl has been leading in the
end, the guy will loss of closeness to the girl, and in
addition be embarras sed before laugh and cry for his poor
riding skills. When returns from the end, the guys will run
in front of the girls and the girls will make hot pursuit
behind, when the guys be caught up they can be beaten with
whips. If the girl personal lives is still uncertain and take
fancy to the guys in front, she then often whips aloft and
then gently down.
C. Racing
Kirgiz horse racing including Marseille and racing.
Marseille is mainly the race of horse the form it taken and
horse's gait. Race the horses joined in the race are all the
ones with the eyes clear, straight wide nose, chest deep and
supple horse. Marseille race focus on the steady and rapid
when horse walk, when marching there is rhythmic, four
kicks shall not be vacated when running. Along with the
walking horse the riders should adjust their postures and
bodies in order to achieve coordination between man and
horse, have the horse steps maintain the symmetry and
uniform throughout the process. Racing, including two
categories including speed racing and horse jolting.
Historically the awards for winners are very rich. The first
may be awarded camel lambs and nine ponies. Prairie
people regard it that is not only the glory of winner but also
the entire glory of whole Yi Le (herd village) and tribal
honor. So as soon as the game is over, folks are treated to
kill the sheep and slaughtered the horse to entertain the
riders, the horse owner and trainers, the entire village
immersed in the joy of the festive atmosphere.
III. DA O LANG MESHRAP DANCE AND CULTURAL
ACTIVITIES
"Meshrap" originates from Arabic, meaning "gathering
place". It specially dedicated to mass entertainment in the
XinJiang Uygur folk [11]. Meshrap is a form of
entertainment integrated music, dance, singing, storytelling,
jokes, games and impromptu chant equivalent together. Dao
Lang Meshrap is a common song and dance entertainment
in Dao Lang area, "Meshrap ". In many Xinjiang Meshraps,
Dao Lang Meshrap preserved ancient Uygur entertainment
features and style intensively. But on Dao Lang Meshrap
the mass entertainment group dancing like Dao Lang
Cyprus, now is not the sole purpose of entertainment, but
was given a deeper meaning to robust body and mind. Dao
Lang Meshrap culture is just a branch of Uighur culture • it
has its own unique, it aroused the interest of some scholars.
Many experts make surveys in Daolang region, but with
little success. One reason is since it is in t folk form that it
has no fixed content, no ancient literature records. It is not
so deep and widely spread as ancient Qiuci culture, it also
 2010 International Conference on Educational and Network Technology (ICENT 2010)
has less affect. Dao Lang culture mainly focuses on the
content of production of labor and love.
A. Daolang "Maqam"
Among Dao Lang's the most characteristic is the "Dao
Lang Maqam", according to legend it is collected by
Ahmannnishahan, the "mother of Uygur music and
dance."[12]. It includes all 12 sets of music and now has
lost three sets, each with a different name, many with "Biya
Wan" (meaning the Gobi marsh) for the title. Each Maqam
constitutes of five paragraphs with different rhythms, the
paragraphs hooked up naturally and harmony, from slow to
fast, gradual transition to a climax. The lyrics of Dao Lang
Maqam Uygur composed by the contents of folk operas, it
reflected the social life. The lyrics is not completely
standardized and fixed, it can changed according to singer
emotions, skills and concert atmosphere. The tambourine in
the band sounded fIrst, Gaitibaya (Convenor) Scream loudly,
call people ready, tambourines respond to the crisp and
scattered drums beat, leads melodious soothing Maqam
Overture -Zi li Baya Wan. Pairs of dancers anti-rotating
each other, touch lightly and dance softly, in the folk songs
of Dao Lang Maqam, love is the main content.
B. Daolang "Sanam"
Daolang "Sanam ", which is the Daolang dance, mainly
shows off Dao Lang's hunting process. First melodious
rubato, singers sang, and accompanied by "Oops" and with
words, it is ready to call people hunting [12].The phase of
the "Qiketeman"{beginning) the dancers sway hands from
side to side, about a half turn, the performance shows the
hunters will allocate both sides of the thick bush to fmd
prey. Pairs of men and women dancers the female dancers
sometimes holds her right hand, sometimes hold her left
hand, holding a torch for lighting for the male hunters. The
second stage " Sanam ", the dance movements turned
violent with the drums beats, Now they both close their
arms, and next minute spread out like whirlwind, then
quickly turned around, backwards standing, his hands
pulled like a bow waited to be shot , the dance posture hints
that he is about fight with the prey. Hunting got victory and
the dance atmosphere again became warm and cheerful, all
the dancers sometimes turn right, and sometimes to left
individually, the stage known as "color in hot Ma." Dance
performed by men and women together on hunting
activities, it shows intimate relationships among the
working men and women in, much more intimacy than the
co-dependent relationship than the plow farming
organization, also showed Daolang people maintain the
common survival of the men and women and deep
understanding of love.
The dense primeval forests inYenisey River upstream is
the cradle for Kirgiz nationalities live and breathe.[12].
Here on this undulating ridges and peaks, tree shade
exclusion, with rich water and lush grass, the life of Kyrgyz
ancestors lived by hunting, supplemented by fish. After
westward migration to Tian Shan, they generations by
generations lived in the mountains, canyons, deserts and
grasslands divided by Gobi sand stains. Hunting is the
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nation's traditional industries, is an important means of
survival and development, falconry got its development on
such socio-economic state. The eagles have huge physiques,
fierce and vigorous, fly in the sky proudly. In high spirits
and overawe the heaven, the ancients for fear of all this
admiringly. in northern China's primitive steppe nomads
religious values, animal worship as the center and the belief
in supernatural forces as the main content, eagles were
considered sacred things, formed trans-regional,
cross-national and super-time Eagle Spirit Worship .
Kirghiz people engaged in falconry has over a thousand
years of history [12]. They are familiar with eagle. The
eagles Kirghiz people needed in eagle falconry have two
sources, one is caught in nets. In the forest and the mouth of
Valleys that eagles often fly over, open fme-structure mesh
woodened with caudal equine which put meat in it, when
the eagle swoop nets for meats, they will be caught. This
eagle, Falconer trainers called it" Wild Eagle"; the other is
caught nest. The areas that Kirghiz people live are mostly
mountainous sand stains with less trees , the eagle nest
often on inaccessible cliffs of the stones , such nests are
called "high nests '. Hunters struggle to obtain The Kitty
Hawk on the high nests. They fIrSt tied themselves in ropes,
slowly down from the top, to take the Kitty Hawk near the
nest, and then slowly climb to the top. The whole process is
an adventure. The Kitty Hawk got in this way referred to as
"eagles nest." Experienced falconer advocate nest caught,
they think the nests caught are mostly fledgling Kitty
Hawks, age young and easy domesticated, and better hawks
will be brought out. With the productivity continued to rise
and transform, the production methods incessantly
improved, now they have ended the former Kirghiz pure
nomadic life styles, and lead to the main by husbandry and
livestock integration, relatively settled and share a stable
and prosperous life. Including falconry hunting practices
have very little proportion in the Kirghiz economic life.
However, with a long history and cultural heritage, the
activities of falconry has already integrated into the national
blood, the occupied position can not be replaced. Now they
also hawk, falconry, in the premise of protection of natural
resources. Falconry has become the Kirghiz Steppe the most
common and most interesting activities for keeping fit and
healthy recreational, it has become an indispensable in daily
Kirgiz sports practices. The ancient custom of falconry of
Kirghiz people is now taking a new looks into the temple of
modem civilization.
IV . CONCLUSION
The national sports of Xinjiang are the struggle to adapt
to the ecology of natural selection by all ethnic groups. The
various ethnic minorities long-lived in Xinjiang have
formed a variety of sports culture. In Xinjiang there are Hui,
Uygur, Kazak, Kyrgyz, Russia, Mongolia, Tatar, Tajik and
more than 20 nationalities, gave birth to many traditional
national sports. These projects reflect the natural living
conditions of these peoples, ethnic and religious outlooks,
social relations, national sentiment and other features. In the
long struggle to adapt to Ethnic and ecological environment
they to adapt to the living environment must have a strong
 2010 International Conference on Educational and Network Technology (ICENT 2010)

physical and superb production skills 0 Xinjiang ethnic

minorities sports, in such a natural and social background
germinated, developed, and eventually formed regional and
national characteristics of its traditional ethnic sports.
Traditional ethnic minority sports and cultural activities are
not only the exercise productive skills, but also a product of
competition for survival between people and the ecological
environment. The natural environment for the ethnic
minorities in Xinjiang provides the directions of the
Minorities in sports and cultural development. During the
development of traditional minority sports there are also
social factors infiltrated.

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