Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporters: Zhang Dongmei and Janat Tuoliken) news: On September 22, 2024, at the Pamir Embroidery Cooperative in Tuoyun Ranch in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, female embroiderers from the Kirgiz ethnic group cut patterns on white felt, drew exquisite patterns, and then added black velvet strips and embroidery to the side edges. They skillfully used sewing machines with focused expressions. During the sewing process, delicate patterns of Kirgiz embroidered felt had been made one by one.

Photo taken on September 22, 2024 shows female embroiders from the Kirgiz ethnic group at the Pamir Embroidery Cooperative in Tuoyun Ranch in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Zhang Dongmei)

In the embroidery exhibition area, there are many kinds of exquisitely patterned, colorful, and delicate works such as pillows, sheets, and felt blankets. On one side of the exhibition area, Tukong Share, inheritor of the Kirgiz felt hat making, were embroidering with the members of the Pamir Embroidery Cooperative.

Kirgiz embroidery mainly focuses on themes such as the sun, the moon, the stars, flowers, trees, birds, and animals. It is mainly used for decorating clothing, pillows, fabrics, felt blankets, etc. In 2008, it was included in the second batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.

Tukong Share is 41 years old this year. At the age of 10, under the guidance of her mother, she made her first felt hat. After graduating from junior high school, she began to learn embroidery at a clothing store in Wuqia County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Afterwards, she also went to Kashi Prefecture, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, and other places multiple times to learn embroidery techniques, laying the foundation for her own entrepreneurship.

Photo taken on September 22, 2024, shows female embroiders from the Kirgiz ethnic group at the Pamir Embroidery Cooperative in Tuoyun Ranch in Tumxuk City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Zhang Dongmei)

“I became more and more interested in embroidery, and I want to pass on traditional ethnic culture through this cooperative,” when talking about the original intention of founding this cooperative, Tukong Share said.

The idea of Tukong Share starting a cooperative and creating job occupations for female villagers has received strong support from Tuoyun Ranch and relevant departments. In order to protect intangible cultural heritage, inherit ethnic crafts, and increase the income of women on Tuoyun Ranch, in 2015, Tuoyun Ranch raised funds to purchase sewing machines, fabrics, silk threads, embroidery machines and other equipment to help Tukong Share establish the cooperative.

Jamiyat Simay is a retired teacher. In her spare time, she came to the cooperative to learn embroidery from Tukong Share and mastered the technique of embroidery. “With my retirement pension and the income from embroidery, I earn over 10,000 yuan a month,” Jamiyat Simay said. Now she has bought a house and a car. And her life is getting better and better.

Turdibu Huojixi is a 39-year-old border guard who comes to the cooperative to embroider when she takes a break. “In addition to my monthly salary, I can also earn 3,000 yuan every month through embroidery,” Turdibu said. Sometimes she spends the whole day embroidering without feeling tired. The work pattern of time freedom and more pay for more work let her find a new way to increase income.

Now, the cooperative has 60 members, among which 43 are professional embroiderers.

Tuoyun Ranch is located at the northern end of the Karakoram Mountains and the southern foots of the Tianshan Mountains. At present, Pamir Embroidery Cooperative sells its bedding textiles, home textiles, clothing, and other products to surrounding areas through retail and order-taking methods. I hope more people can know about Tuoyun Ranch and Kirgiz embroidery,” Tukong Share said.

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