The Dungans residing in the Urtachirchiq district joyously celebrated the New Year, known as Chunjie in their culture. This holiday, also referred to as the New Month or Spring Festival, has a rich history rooted in ancient Oriental legends. The Dungan people have a deep respect for this holiday, which is evident in their culture.
The festivities, held in the Dustlik mahalla, were graced by the presence of representatives from the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Friendly Ties with Foreign Countries, senior officials from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Uzbekistan, the district hokimiyat, youth, and the chairman and activists of the Dungan Cultural Center. More than three thousand Dungans call Uzbekistan their home and coexist harmoniously with other ethnicities, contributing significantly to the country’s progress.
Mane Savurov, the Chairman of the Dungan Cultural Center in Uzbekistan, expressed, “We celebrate the New Year in the westernmost village inhabited by native Chinese speakers. The Dungans in the Urtachirchiq district have managed to preserve their language, culture, traditions, and customs, which have been lost in China. The country’s wise national policy, which promotes equality for all ethnicities, allows the Dungans to live among the locals as proud citizens of Uzbekistan, and we are grateful for that.”
During the celebrations, Yu Jun, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Uzbekistan, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the participants. The Dungan ensemble “Chinme” mesmerized the audience with their traditional folk songs and dances.
A. Musayev, UzA