Sainaimu
01 · Historical Records
Korla Sainaim is transmitted among the Uyghur settlements in the basin of the Kongque (Kunqi) River in Xinjiang, and is a continuation of the oasis music and dance of ancient Yanqi and Yuli. At local Meshreps the opening must begin with senior Muqam artists singing Muqam, and before each group of solo dances begins two passages of Muqam are also sung first; only when the Muqam is finished does the tune turn to the Sainaim songs and the dancing properly begin.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Korla Sainaim is generally performed at weddings, festivals, and various celebratory occasions such as Meshreps. Its most prominent features are the bright rhythm of the dance, the graceful and free-flowing movements, the gentle and refined conveyance of feeling through the eyes and brows of the dancers, their composed and generous bearing as they change movements, and their whirlwind-like spins, all of which are extremely pleasing to the eye. Korla Sainaim consists of three parts: 1. Before the opening, pieces of “Muqam” music are played first, and immediately afterwards senior Muqam artists lead the singing of “Muqam”. Before each group of solo dances begins, two passages of “Muqam” are sung first. 2. After the Muqam has been sung, the tune turns to the Sainaim songs and the Sainaim dance properly begins. 3. In the climactic part of the Sainaim dance, the dancers express their deep and subtle feelings through various bodily postures and through the play of their eyes and brows. At this moment the audience present all join the ranks of the dancers, and the whole scene becomes extraordinarily lively. Sainaim, this traditional song-and-dance art, is indispensable in the life of the Uyghur people of Korla. The individual style of a Korla Sainaim dancer is of special importance: some excel at spins, others at the alternation of expression through the eyes and brows with hand gestures, so that the same Sainaim presents a different face in the hands of each dancer.
The muqam opening and three parts
It has three parts, opening with muqam played and sung by veteran artists, moving into the sanam songs once the dancing begins, and closing as the audience joins in.
Meshrep on the Konqi river
Performed at weddings, festivals and every kind of meshrep, it is an indispensable part of Korla Uyghur life.
Whirlwind turns
Its brisk rhythm and easy movement, the gentle play of the eyes and the whirlwind turns make it a delight to watch.
Led by veteran muqam artists
Veteran muqam singers lead the opening and each solo, young dancers entering under their singing in an apprenticeship of the ear.
How the items are combined
Muqam, sanam songs and a climactic dance section are joined by changes of drum rhythm, the dancers free to choose according to the mood.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
Korla Sainaim is a traditional song and dance transmitted among the Uyghur settlements in the basin of the Kongque (Kunqi) River in Xinjiang. The Kongque River flows out of Lake Bosten and passes through the Korla oasis; the riverside townships of Awat, Harayungong and Langan as well as the Korla urban district each have a group of artists who have long been active, and Meshreps are mostly held in courtyards, orchards and public squares.
Other submitting regions for the same item: Uyghur Sanam · Uyghur Sanam · Sainaimu · Sainaimu · Sainaimu · Sainaimu · Sainaimu.
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
In the climactic part of Korla Sainaim, the dancers express their deep and subtle feelings through various bodily postures and through the play of their eyes and brows, and the audience present all join the ranks of the dancers, making the whole scene extraordinarily lively; in the life of the Uyghur people of Korla, weddings, festivals and all kinds of Meshrep cannot do without Sainaim, and its transmission depends chiefly on oral instruction and demonstration by artists at gatherings. Its pirouette-like turns and its generous changes of bearing are its most striking stage signatures, and they have also made it a staple number that folk art troupes throughout the Bayingolin area perform year after year.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Aimaiti Simayi 03-0954
- Nasier Nusuer 04-1583
- Aimidouli Rehemisha 05-2283
- Yimin Yibila 05-2284
- Yasen Aisa 05-2285
- Abulimiti Xiahabi 05-2286
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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