Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Otkur Nijat) news: Knife makers carefully follow the production process to make knives, which includes material selection, calcination, hammering, assembling, secondary forging, quenching, polishing, filing, decorating the blade and handle, etc. On September 5, 2023, members of "Discover Xinjiang through Its Rivers and Lakes" reporting team came to "Knife Village" in Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to experience how the intangible cultural heritage of Yengisar knife-making skills has become a happiness industry for local residents.

The Kalabashlangan Village, known as "Knife Village", is located in Mangxin Town, Yengisar County. Yengisar Coutny in Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has a long history of making knives with materials of excellent selection , exquisite workmanship, and beautiful patterns. Nowadays, the Yengisar knives have become a kind of handicraft of high ornamental value. Knife handles are made of animal horns, copper, silver, and jade. In 2008, the craft of Yengisar knife-making was listed as a State-level intangible cultural heritage item.

At present, the village adopts a cooperative model of "cooperatives + merchants + farmers". A little more than half of the farmers in the village are engaged in the production and processing of Yengisar knives, and more than 80 people are engaged in the sales of knives. The annual production can reach more than 300,000 pieces, and the sales revenue can reach over 50 million yuan. The Yengisar knife making industry has become the happiness industry of the village.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows reporters come to the knife trading center in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows tourists buy Yengisar knives at the knife trading center in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows reporters film videos at the knife trading center in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows a knife maker makes a Yengisar knife in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows a knife maker makes a Yengisar knife in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows a Yengisar knife at the knife trading center in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows tourists visit the knife trading center in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on September 5, 2023 shows local online celebrities promote Yengisar knife through online platforms in Kalabashlangan Village of Yengisar County, Kashgar Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

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