Who Are the Uyghurs?
The Uyghurs are a Turkic ethnic group originating from Central Asia, renowned for their rich history and vibrant culture. The term “Uyghur” has been used for centuries, symbolizing a civilization with deep historical roots. The Uyghurs developed their own distinct written script, the Old Uyghur Script, which later influenced the creation of the Mongolian script.
Uyghur culture is marked by remarkable historical contributions, such as the renowned Turkic Language Dictionary compiled by Mahmud Kashgari in the 11th century. Historically, the Uyghurs played a vital role as traders along the Silk Road, facilitating exchange between East and West with their camel caravan networks.
Today, it’s estimate around 15-20 million Uyghurs living around the world.
The snow molten, the earth full of fragrance, taking off the winter clothes, the world is in new elegance.
– Kutadgu Bilig Volume 4-2
by Yusuf Balasaguni
11th Century Uyghur Philisopher
The Dīwān Lughāt al-Turk is the first comprehensive dictionary of Turkic languages, compiled between 1072–74 by the Kara-Khanid scholar Mahmud al-Kashgari, who extensively documented the Turkic languages of his time. In 2017 the manuscript was added to the UNESCO Memory of the World international register, which lists documentary heritage of global importance.
– Wikipedia
Hey, poor Uyghur, wake up, you have slept long enough,
You have nothing, what is now at stake is your very life.
If you don’t rescue yourself from this death,
Ah, your end will be looming, your end will be looming.
Stand up! I said, raise up your head, no more slumber!
Abduxaliq Uyghur
Uyghur Poet, 1921