Ravshan
Ravshan is a tall, 30-year-old man with bangs covering his forehead. At first glance, he seems to be an introvert, but in the dialogue, he reveals himself as a very erudite and engaged talker. He radiates calm and tranquility; interestingly, his profession, interior designer, suits his personality.
stitches
“I was from Kyrgyzstan and, at the same time, Dungan, and in my school, no one knew who the Dungans were.”
Ravshan grew up in Bishkek and occasionally visited his grandparents in Karakol during summer breaks. Thanks to his grandmother, Ravshan attended extracurricular activities such as musical school and painting classes from a young age, developing his art and creativity skills. Ravshan shares that he is lucky to have a very understanding and liberal family.
During his teen years, Ravshan attended special courses to preserve Dungan culture organized by the Soros Foundation, headed at that time by Dungan Akhmad Madeyuev. On Sundays, teachers of the Chui region's Dungan language and literature, as well as staff members of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic's Department of Dungan Studies, would come and teach both children and adults how to cook traditional dishes, write and read in Dungan, and embroider traditional ornaments. Ravshan did not yet know that embroidery would become his tool of self-expression.
Now, Ravshan is absorbing more of the Kyrgyz culture due to his work and social environment.
During his teen years, Ravshan attended special courses to preserve Dungan culture organized by the Soros Foundation, headed at that time by Dungan Akhmad Madeyuev. On Sundays, teachers of the Chui region's Dungan language and literature, as well as staff members of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic's Department of Dungan Studies, would come and teach both children and adults how to cook traditional dishes, write and read in Dungan, and embroider traditional ornaments. Ravshan did not yet know that embroidery would become his tool of self-expression.
Now, Ravshan is absorbing more of the Kyrgyz culture due to his work and social environment.
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I understand that Dungan culture may differ from Kyrgyz in mental discourse, beliefs, and values. I have many Kyrgyz friends, but at the same time, I understand I cannot be completely part of their culture; there is still something I don’t understand or feel. I cannot call myself Kyrgyz; I am not Chinese and not the kind of Dungan who is completely immersed in his culture.
"I tried to dive deeply into it and remember my origin"
Recently, he participated in an exhibition, presenting his work, “WO” ( “Me” in Dungan), embroidering mountains and boorsoks. That project allowed him to reflect on his identity and Dungan heritage.
“Why was there embroidery at the exhibition? As a child, I did something similar to this. I tried to dive deeply into it and remember my origin, as I do not
think about it in everyday life," shares Ravshan.
“Why was there embroidery at the exhibition? As a child, I did something similar to this. I tried to dive deeply into it and remember my origin, as I do not
think about it in everyday life," shares Ravshan.
Ravshan's embroidery
Dungan embroidery was an essential process in ancient times. Women embroidered flowers on their dresses, towels, pillowcases, and socks.
This art is disappearing as women now use prepared stencils and sewing machines.
Ravshan, as a master of needlework, suggested organizing a delegation to China and learning traditional flower embroidery again, as "there should be people who still know how to do it."
This art is disappearing as women now use prepared stencils and sewing machines.
Ravshan, as a master of needlework, suggested organizing a delegation to China and learning traditional flower embroidery again, as "there should be people who still know how to do it."
Dungan women embroider flowers on wedding dresses.
Chui Valley, Kazakhstan, 1989
I. Budnevich and G. Koshkintsev / TASS, Meduza
"Sometimes, it’s unfortunate that there are no events where we can raise issues of Dungan culture. At Dungan weddings, people don't talk about it. There is no time for that. You don’t have any reflection about who you are, what you are, and how it develops," Rasvhan expresses his concern over communications between Dungans.
For Ravshan, it's still hard to accept that cultural identity among Dungan youth is disappearing. To preserve Dungan culture, Ravshan made several remarkable suggestions, including creating podcasts and cartoons like Disney that would highlight different cultures of Kyrgyzstan, including Dungan customs and traditions.
For Ravshan, it's still hard to accept that cultural identity among Dungan youth is disappearing. To preserve Dungan culture, Ravshan made several remarkable suggestions, including creating podcasts and cartoons like Disney that would highlight different cultures of Kyrgyzstan, including Dungan customs and traditions.
Rahima Ismaeva, the founder of a digital Dungan newspaper, "Hueizu Bo," supported this idea of a creative way to preserve Dungan culture.
“With enthusiasts who are well versed in the Internet and have the financial opportunity, we can translate and release famous cartoons in the Dungan language. Everyone will be happy to watch them. We can also come up with some games. It all depends on funding and the enthusiasm of those taking on this.
The Dungan newspaper “Hueimin Bo” has been published since 1932; now, it has a circulation of 2,000 copies and is distributed in villages densely populated by Dungans. But young people have stopped reading paper newspapers; they are not interesting. Now, youth is more into social media. I made an official page, "Hueizu Bo" [ Rakhima’s virtual newspaper], and paid for hosting, but people didn’t go there. Then, I switched to social media and started uploading content to Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok,” shares Rahima on her efforts to engage Dungans in media content.
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For me, being a Dungan is not about knowing the recipe for this or that dish or whether you can sew this or that embroidery.
Being Dungan is not only about what you see but also about how you feel or think. It’s about what is essential and valuable to you.
Being Dungan is not only about what you see but also about how you feel or think. It’s about what is essential and valuable to you.
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