Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Yin Lu) news: As the peak tourism season in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region approaches, the grasslands are in full bloom, exuding a subtle fragrance, and the snow-capped peaks stand tall against the backdrop of lush, green firs. Against this picturesque backdrop, the performers of the epic "Jangar" are getting busier.

"The Bayanbulag scenic area is set to open at the end of this month, and our 'Jangar' performances are scheduled to return," said Bayar, a representative inheritor of intangible cultural heritage from Hejing County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture. A few days ago, he visited his teacher, Mandulai, to seek advice on the new segments of the epic that he and his fellow performers have created.

Mandulai, the teacher whom Bayar speaks highly of, was appointed as a national-level representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage item "Jangar" in February this year. He has been performing this epic for 45 years.

"The hero Jangar was born in a distant homeland called Baomuba, and he shone like a brilliant star over the grasslands," Mandulai often sings. Under his leadership and with the continuous innovation of several generations of his students, the epic has now evolved into a rich variety of performance forms.

File photo shows Mandulai performs with students.

Mandulai’s life revolves around two central elements: the grassland and the school campus. He grew up on the grasslands of Hejing County, a place that has given birth to the legendary essence of the epic "Jangar" and has nurtured countless outstanding Jangar performers.

Deeply rooted in the school campus and serving as both a heritage inheritor and a full-time teacher, he brings intangible cultural heritage into the extracurricular activities of primary and secondary school students, helping to cultivate the next generation of inheritors.

Mandulai, now 56 years old, shares a common background with most Jangar performers. He was born into a herding family in a region where the epic "Jangar" has been sung for generations.

His connection to the epic began early. It was his grandfather Mengkai who introduced him to the raw beauty of this ethnic saga. While other children his age were playing, he was already able to sing five chapters of the epic and more than a dozen folk songs. He would sing them to his family, to his friends, and even to the cattle, birds, and flowers on the grassland.

While Mandulai shares many similarities with other Jangar performers, he stands out for his unique dedication. His mission is to meticulously gather and compile the fragmented narratives of the "Jangar" epic from across the grasslands. This pursuit was inspired by his mentor, Xiariniman, a renowned national-level inheritor, and it has shaped Mandulai’s profound understanding of his role as a cultural guardian.

"Jangar" is one of the three great heroic epics of Chinese ethnic minorities, along with "King Gesar" of the Tibetan ethnic group and "Manas" of the Kirgiz ethnic group. It gradually took shape in the Xinjiang around the 15th century. The epic tells the story of Jangar and other brave warriors who fought against invaders to protect their homeland. It encompasses historical and geographical knowledge, social customs, and aesthetic values, making it highly valuable in literature and art. In 2006, Jangar was included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists.

As a high school teacher, Mandulai understands the vital role that textual preservation plays in safeguarding cultural heritage. Over the past decade, he has used his holidays to travel across Xinjiang, visiting places where Jangar performers live. He has documented the performances of over 130 folk artists through video and text. His efforts have indeed uncovered many previously unknown segments of the epic. "It is these new discoveries that have enriched 'Jangar' and given me greater confidence to continue my fieldwork," he said.

During his journey to visit Jangar performers, Mandulai encountered many people and families that deeply moved him. There was an elderly man in his seventies who had injured his right hand while herding in his youth. Despite the injury, he continued to play the tobshuur with just three fingers for over 30 years. His singing was filled with resilience and free of any complaint or despair. In another instance, a four-generation family of 17 members included 12 Jangar performers. Even a three-year-old boy in the family could sing along with the others. One family’s heirloom was a notebook bound in cowhide, containing passages from "Jangar" and lyrics of many folk songs.

These stories and encounters made Mandulai realize that he is not alone on the path of cultural inheritance. He has many companions sharing the same mission.

In order to present a more complete version of "Jangar," Mandulai has drawn on his extensive collection of materials. He has collaborated with translation professionals to compile a number of articles about this epic.

File photo shows Mandulai in performance.

Mandulai believes that educational inheritance is a highly effective approach. Over the years, he has voluntarily compiled learning materials and video lessons for "Jangar." He has provided these resources to extracurricular special classes in primary and secondary schools across various regions. Additionally, he has traveled to numerous schools in Hejing County and Bohu County to give on-site lessons and guide students in learning and choreographing performances.

Nowadays, young Jangar performers have innovated by combining the epic with rock music, blending traditional instruments like the tobshuur and drums with modern ones such as electric guitars and synthesizers. This fusion gives their performances a stronger sense of rhythm and a more contemporary feel.

"Our performances really stand out at major cultural and tourism expos as well as intangible cultural heritage shows," said Bayar. "They allow audiences to understand the stories of Xinjiang, this beautiful place, from multiple perspectives."

In October 2024, Mandulai and his students participated in a themed event held in Turpan. There, their rendition of "Jangar," infused with a modern spirit and a powerful impact, echoed through the night sky of the Jiaohe ancient city. It vividly demonstrated the endless charm of intangible cultural heritage as a bridge between the past and the present.

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