| The Peoples of Turkic Ethnic Groups is defined by scholars as the peoples speaking Turkic languages of Artai language family. In China, people of Turkic ethnic groups, consisting of Uygur,Kazakh, Kirkiz, Ozbek, Tatar, Sala, Yugu, are distributed mainly over northwestern areas, such as Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu provinces. Under the local national and humane conditions, the peoples of Turkic ethnic groups created different cultures with Turkic characteristics, which are shown conspicuously in economic mould, material, social and spiritual cultures.The ethnic groups sharing the same language family have same origin in language as well as close relations concerning the origin of nations. However, it is not the case as far as cultures are concerned. From it, we may extend two questions as follows: 1. What are the cultural similarities and differences among the ethnic groups of the same language family; 2.What are their differences in cultural changes owing to their different residing areas, and influenced by different people surrounding them. This dissertation may make comparative study of the ethnic groups of Turkic language family to seek the answers to the above.Chapter One is the summary of the origins of the peoples of Turkic ethnic groups and their process of formation, based on the up-to-date research results in the field.Chapter Two is the discussion of the economic and cultural types of the peoples of Turkic language family. According to the theory of economic and cultural types, the economy and natural ecological environment of each ethnic group, to a great extent, determine its cultural characteristics. The author holds the view that the traditional economy of Turkic ethnic groups may be roughly divided into four types (nomadic type in basined grassland, agricultural and nomadic type in oasis, livestock husbandry type in mountains and grasslands, and agricultural type in mountainous areas), and makes a description of them respectively.Chapter Three is the description of the influences exercised on Turkic ethnic groups, bases on the theory of historical and cultural areas. Turkic ethnic groups in Xinjiang are influenced by both Islam historic area in Central Asia, and Han nationality in Central Plains. Xinjiang is an inseparable part of China, Turkic ethnic groups accord with Central government in politics, economy and culture. Owing to the frequent interactions with the Han nationality in Central Plains, the Turkic ethnic groups have absorbed from Han in many respects, such as language, systems, morals, etc. Xinjiang is on the overlapping parts of Islam culture and mainstream culture of Han. Therefore, the Turkic ethnic groups are hi the state of adapting to two cultural values. While Sala and Yugu nationalities in Gansu and Qinhai are far from the main cores of historical cultures, and formed a compound culture of their own.Chapter Four deals with the material culture of the peoples of Turkic ethnic groups in five aspects: their clothing, food, dwelling, traveling, and articles for daily use. By traditional living means, the production and living materials of the peoples of Turkic ethnic groups come from natural environments. Thus, their material cultures indicate differentcultural features in grassland, oasis, and mountainous areas, which reflects their similarities and differences in customs and beliefs.Chapter Five, at the first time, analyzes the features of Islam culture of the people of Turkic ethnic groups. Through analysis of values of customs, colors, numbers, directions, we may find how external Islam combine with original Turkic cultures. Besides, through the classification of music, dancing, literature, we can know how the residential environments exert influences on Turkic cultures.Chapter Six compares the kinship systems in Uygur and Kazak, as the representatives of Turkic ethnic groups, belong to Lineal type and Bifurcate collateral type respectively. Uygur and Kazak matrimonial customs in history and nowadays have close relations with those of other ethnic groups. |
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