Muqam transmission in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region: negotiating artistic individuality in present-day Uyghur muqam performance practices

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The Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang, also known as the Art of Chinese Xinjiang Uyghur Muqam (Ch. 中国新 疆维吾尔木卡姆艺术), was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity in 2008, representing a dynamic interplay between tradition and contemporary influences. This paper examines the evolving dynamics of present-day Uyghur muqam transmission, focusing on the negotiation of artistic individuality in contemporary performance practices. Central to this discussion is the Uyghur concept of puraq (lit. scent/flavour), a term that describes the distinctive ornamentation and stylistic nuances in Uyghur music, yet remains underexplored in academic discourses both in China and the West. Drawing on ethnomusicological fieldwork conducted in Xinjiang in 2021 (Li, 2022), this research integrates insights from interviews with proficient muqam performers and scholars, offering a detailed analysis of how puraq manifests and is refined across different performance contexts, encompassing both vocal and instrumental practices. The study further explores the interdisciplinary connotations of puraq between music and linguistics, particularly highlighting the role of shëwe (En. vernacular accent) and its influence on the stylistic interpretation of the Uyghur muqam. The findings reveal that the multifaceted term of puraq is a crucial element in sustaining the living tradition of the Uyghur muqam, serving as a point of convergence for cultural continuity and transformation. By situating the discussion within the broader framework of the active transmission of ICH (Ch. 非遗活化传承), the study contributes to ongoing debates concerning the preservation of cultural heritage. It illuminates the ways in which authenticity and adaptation interact in a tradition deeply rooted in the historical cultural exchanges along the Silk Road, offering new perspectives on the evolving role of the Uyghur muqam in the contemporary cultural landscape of modern-day China.