Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily（Reporter Cai Zengle）news: The air buzzed with the rhythmic beats of hand drums and the haunting melodies of eagle flutes, as these immersive cultural displays unfolded daily across villages, squares, and performance centers on the Pamir Plateau. The unique wedding traditions have drawn visitors from far and wide, eager to witness the living heritage of the Tajik people.

Listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China in 2008, Tajik wedding gowns encompass over a dozen intricate ceremonies—from matchmaking to fetching the bride, and a three-day wedding period. Through vibrant performances, visitors gain insight into the full spectrum of rituals that have shaped Tajik identity for generations.

Photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows performers showcase Tajik wedding traditions at Caiyunrenjia Folk Village in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Aikemushan Madalihan, a national intangible cultural heritage inheritor of Tajik wedding gowns, explained that elements like the eagle flute, eagle dance, star-adorned crowns, and yak-tail dances reflect nomadic memories of “following water and pasture” and a deep reverence for the plateau and its emblematic eagles. “These traditions are a window into the soul of the Pamir,” he said.

In recent years, the county has embraced a “culture + tourism” model to safeguard these customs. Aizimu Huxidili, Director of the Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County Cultural Center, noted that a dedicated Intangible Cultural Heritage Park now hosts exhibitions and workshops, ensuring the rituals are preserved yet dynamically adapted. Visitors to Caiyunrenjia can even don traditional silver jewelry and participate in simulated weddings, immersing themselves in the plateau’s romantic allure.

Beneath snow-capped peaks, ancient wedding songs still resonate. As silver ornaments glint in sunlight and bonfire flames, and eagle flutes harmonize with electronic beats, Tajik wedding gowns evolve—bridging past and present with open arms. They endure not as relics, but as a vibrant cultural flame, illuminating the Pamir’s timeless spirit.

Photo taken on March 22, 2025 shows performers showcase Tajik wedding traditions at Caiyunrenjia Folk Village in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows performers showcase Tajik wedding traditions at the Congling Performance Center in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows performers showcase Tajik wedding traditions at the Congling Performance Center in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on March 23, 2025 shows performers showcase Tajik wedding traditions at the Congling Performance Center in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows Adili Yakuf, a “groom” adjusts his attire before a performance at Caiyunrenjia Folk Village, in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

Photo taken on March 25, 2025 shows Reziya Murzareym, a “bride” adjusts her attire before a performance at Caiyunrenjia Folk Village in Taxkorgan Tajik Autonomous County, Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

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