UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritages in China (Ⅲ) (10)

Meshrep

The term, "Meshrep" was inscribed on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2010.

Found among the Uygur people concentrated largely in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Meshrep constitutes the most important cultural carrier of Uygur traditions.

A complete Meshrep event includes a rich collection of traditions and performance arts, such as music, dance, drama, folk arts, acrobatics, oral literature, foodways and games.

Uygur muqam is the most comprehensive art form included in the event, integrating song, dance and entertainment. 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.