Mekit Dolan Muqam Group – Bayawan (Old Heaven Books & B10 Live, 2014)
The Mekit Dolan Muqam Group presents a distinctive manifestation of Muqam music embraced by the Dolan community. This form, commonly referred to as Bayawan or Dolan Muqam, represents a significant cultural legacy among the Uyghur population residing in Xinjiang, China. The album Bayawan presents this revelatory musical tradition to the rest of the world.
Muqam compositions typically encompass a wide array of elements such as songs, dances, and instrumental interludes, often characterized by improvisational flair. Within the Uyghur tradition, Muqam includes various musical styles. Alongside the classical Twelve Muqam, various regional interpretations emerge, including Kumul Maqam, Turpan Muqam, Dolan Muqam, and Ili Muqam. Notably, Dolan Muqam is highly appreciated for its distinctiveness, often described as the most unconventional among these traditions.
The term “Dolan” refers to a specific ethnic subgroup within the Uyghur community, historically dwelling along the Yarkand and Tarim rivers in the northwest corner of the Tarim Basin. Dolan Muqam predominantly thrives within the Dolan region, spanning Makit County, Maralbexi County in Kashgar Prefecture, and Awat County in Aksu Prefecture. Its cultural influence extends to towns such as Kargilik, Poskam, Kuqa, Korla, Turpan, and Kumul. The Dolan people colloquially refer to their Muqam music as “Bayawan,” which translates to “the desert and the wildland,” emphasizing its primal and uninhibited essence.
Traditionally, there were twelve sets of Dolan Muqam, of which three have been lost over time. Each set includes compositions lasting approximately six to nine minutes, totaling around one and a half hours for the remaining nine sets.
Dolan Muqam is distinguished by its straightforward instrumentation, vigorous rhythms, and a distinctively rugged vocal style. Drawing inspiration from folk melodies and oral poetry, its lyrical content exudes a raw, untamed beauty, making it a unique and precious cultural asset globally.
In May 2023, the Mekit Dolan Muqam Group presented their music at the 7th Tomorrow Festival in Shenzhen, subsequently recording a remarkable session at Liu Ying Studio, immortalizing their contribution to this cherished musical tradition on the album Bayawan.
Musicians:
艾科拜尔·卡迪尔 Akbar Kadir — 领唱歌手 Leading Vocals / 达甫 Dap
麦麦提·艾散 Mamat Hasan — 艾捷克 Gijak / 人声 Vocals
艾孜孜·卡地尔 Iziz Kadir — 卡龙 Kalun / 人声 Vocals
图地·阿布都热衣木 Turdi Abdurihim — 热瓦普 Rawap / 人声 Vocals
卡地尔·努热克 Kadir Nurak — 达甫 Dap / 舞蹈 Dance / 人声 Vocals / 塔什 Tash
努尔阿米娜·玉素因 Nuramina Yusayin — 达甫 Dap / 舞蹈 Dance / 人声 Vocals
谢仁阿依·佧迪尔 Xierenay Kadir — 达甫 Dap / 舞蹈 Dance / 人声 Vocals
Buy Bayawan.
Track List
1.巴希巴亚宛木卡姆 Bash Bayawan Muqam 06:17
2.孜尔巴亚宛木卡姆 Zil Bayawan Muqam 06:59
3.区尔巴亚宛木卡姆 Chol Bayawan Muqam 07:33
4.奥坦巴亚宛木卡姆 Otang Bayawan Muqam 06:59
5.勃姆巴亚宛木卡姆 Bom Bayawan Muqam 07:15
6.朱拉木卡姆 Jula Muqam 07:03
7.丝姆巴亚宛木卡姆 Sim Bayawan Muqam 05:47
8.胡代克巴亚宛木卡姆 Hudek Bayawan Muqam 06:32
9.都尕买特巴亚宛木卡姆 Dugamet Bayawan Muqam 06:53
10.勃姆巴亚宛木卡姆套曲 Bom Bayawan Muqam (Instrumental) 05:38
11.刀郎民歌巴勒拉巴勒拉套曲 Bala Bala (Dolan Folk Song) 07:58
12.博斯坦恰其汗尼木套曲 Bostan Qaq Hinim (Instrumental) 08:33
Author: Douglas Sanders
