“Sapan Festival” is also known as “Plowshare Festival”. It is a unique traditional festival of the Tatar people at the end of July every year. (This festival has no fixed date and is determined according to the end of the busy farming season.) At this time, spring plowing and spring planting have ended, and summer The wheat harvest has not yet come, and it happens to be the slack period. Taking advantage of leisure days, everyone gathers together to eliminate the hard work of spring, look forward to the harvest in summer, and the golden color in autumn…
“The Tatar ethnic group in China is mainly concentrated in Urumqi, Yining, Tacheng, Qitai, Jimusar, Altay, Changji and other places. On July 24, 1989, my country’s first Tatar Autonomous Township was established in Daquan, Qitai County . On May 23, 2011, the Tatar Saban Festival declared by Qitai County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was approved by the State Council and included in the third batch of national intangible cultural heritage list.
The annual Saban Festival is an important festival for the Tatar people. When people return from the grasslands and farmland, they gather on the grassy beaches where Saban grass is in full bloom and carry out some cultural and sports activities. This ancient custom continues to this day. “
“In the bright spring season, people put on festive costumes, bring abundant food, and gather in pleasant places in the suburbs. They play national musical instruments, sing and dance, carry out various entertainment activities, congratulate each other on the festival, and also wish each other in advance. Spring plowing goes well and people hope for a good agricultural harvest. Accompanied by accordion, bayan, mandarin and other musical instruments, people sing. The ancient “Jirla”, “Sapantoi” and modern Tatar songs were played, and Tatar dances were performed. People expressed their joyful mood through their dances and songs. Many Tatar families expressed their joy on this day. The whole family came on stage to perform for everyone. The colorful performances were dizzying and everyone sang and danced to celebrate the festival.”
“Embroidery, one of the characteristics of the Tatar ethnic group, is one of the skills that Tatar women are best at. They are all skilled embroidery craftsmen. With their dexterous hands, they can embroider pleasing patterns on various clothing. They can embroider rich Colorful natural flower shapes, Through a high degree of artistic refinement, they are summarized into patterns with strong local flavor and strong national interest. In addition, the colors of Tatar costumes are harmonious and beautiful, and the exquisite embroidery craftsmanship makes the enthusiastic and cheerful Tatar women look more beautiful. “
“I have to mention the traditional Tatar food – Gubaidiai. Gubaidiai is one of the most important pastries in the daily life of the Tatar people. It is a kind of pancake (filled with meat filling, rice, Crushed eggs and dried fruits). On special occasions such as weddings, festivals and when important guests visit, the Tatar people will make Gubaidiai. “Gubaidiai” is made of rice, butter, dried apricots, raisins, etc. A baked pastry that has long been famous in Yili and even across Xinjiang. “Gubaidiai” has a crispy exterior, soft filling, and sweet and delicious taste. It is not only unique in taste, but also beautiful in shape. “
“Daquan Tatar Township, Qitai County, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is the only ethnic township in the country with Tatar as the main body. The “Tatar Tribe” is located at the root of Daquanhu Village, about 20 kilometers south of Daquan Tatar Township and Dongwan Town. Geerdagou area is adjacent to Heigou of Jimusar County in the east, 220 kilometers away from Urumqi in the east, and about 25 kilometers away from Banjiegou Town in the west. They all belong to Qitai Nanshan Dajiang Bulak Tourism Area.”
The core planning area of ”Tatar Tribe” is about 37,185 square meters. It was started in 2014 in compliance with the construction standards of national AAA tourist attractions and five-star farmhouses. It presents an overall spatial layout of “one center, one axis, and three zones”. According to The overall plan will build it into “the only Tatar folk culture experience tourist resort in the country” that integrates ecological sightseeing, folk experience, sports and entertainment, leisure vacation, RV camping, art collection, study and exhibition. Visitors can enjoy the natural scenery, experience Tatar folk customs, taste ethnic catering and delicacies, watch ethnic songs and dances, folk performances, and carry out activities such as horseback riding, vegetable and fruit picking, self-service barbecue RV self-driving tours, and tent camping.
This is a typical mountainous landscape. The core of the tribe is located deep in the valley, with beautiful ecological environment and fresh and pleasant air. On both sides of the country road leading to the Tatar tribe, there are pastoral scenery such as wheat fields, pastures, forest belts, and farmhouses. The approximately 28 kilometers of country road is like a beautiful pastoral gallery.
Being in the “Tatar Tribe”, you can enjoy different food, beautiful scenery, fine wine, and beautiful mood deep in the Tianshan Mountains, and let nature soothe the heart of every tourist at close range! Come on, friend, the “Tatar Tribe” invites you to gather together with your Tatar friends to celebrate the “Saban Festival”!
