Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Song Haibo) news: On November 7, 2024, a melodious song rose from the Aksu Township Culture Station in Dabancheng District, Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Several farmers and herdsmen in traditional ethnic costumes were playing Dombra, Kobyz, the guitar, and other instruments. This is a band composed of farmers and herdsmen of various ethnic groups, called "Children of Bogda." They tell the stories of their hometown by music, and are well-known to local people.

Photo shows the band "Children of Bogda" performs in Dabancheng District, Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Yerboli Halidan)

Yerboli Halidan, 49, is the head of the township's cultural station and leader of the band. In his mind, his hometown Dabancheng is great for music creation, and Wang Luobin's song "The Maiden of Daban" has long promoted the beauty of this land at home and abroad. In 2011, with the active advocacy and support of the township government, Yerboli was full of enthusiasm to prepare the band. He traveled to various villages, inviting villagers who love music to join the band. "At the beginning, the villagers were quite shy, worried that their vocals could fall short of being enchanting, so I patiently communicated with them, encouraging them to take the stage," said Yerboli.

Yerboli's sincerity and enthusiasm gradually brought people together and made a team with ten members. There are old members with rich singing experience, young members fresh out of the starting gate, and music lovers of different ethnic groups and different ages united by the common pursuit of music. "The band is called 'Children of Bogda' because our hometown backs Mount Bogda and we have a deep emotional attachment to the mountain," said Yerboli.

Yerboli knows that music is not only a means of entertainment and relaxation, but also an important medium for conveying emotions and information. So after the formation of the band, what to sing has become their most common topic of discussion.

Photo shows the band "Children of Bogda" at the second round of program selection for the First China Xinjiang Folk Art Season in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Song Haibo)

The herdsmen of Aksu Township often graze their animals in the mountains and rarely participate in literary and artistic activities. Seeing this, Yerboli emerged with the thought of passing on the Party's policies, the development and changes of his hometown, and the heartwarming stories to every herdsman through music. "At the first performance, we had the classic Kazak folk song A Lovely Rose. I adapted some of the lyrics to incorporate the Party's latest policies and the content of important meetings, which not only retains the original ethnic customs, but also makes it up-to-date," said Yerboli. Their adapted lyrics are close to the life of herdsmen, sung in the way of Aken Aytes (Aken Songs) or pop music, combined with dance performances, so that their performance is popular among audiences.

After a number of performances, the band "Children of Bogda" gradually became well-known to the villagers. "We actively encourage villagers to join the ban. By organizing farmers and herdsmen to learn musical instruments and singing skills, more than 50 villagers have participated in the training. During their free time from farming, whoever is available will join performances with the band." Yerboli said that the flexible deployment of personnel continues to bring fresh blood into the band, and also inspires the enthusiasm of villagers to participate.

Adlijiang Habriha, a 55-year-old herdsman who is a member of the band, gradually mastered the technique of playing the electronic keyboard in the process of learning. "Bringing joy to others also makes me feel extremely happy, and in the band, I can constantly learn new things and meet new people. The band is like another home to me," he said.

"Now, our band has performed more than 20 shows a year. The youngest member is only six years old, and the oldest is 65 years old," said Yerboli. This year, the township government also set up the "Children of Bogda" dancing team to attract villagers to participate and greatly enrich the villagers' life in spare time. "Next year, we hope to take part in a bigger stage, such as CCTV's ‘Avenue of Stars', so that more people can witness the charm of our rural culture."

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