Moulding earthenware in Kashgar

Uighurs in Kashgar

Kashgar is located west of the Taklamakan Desert at the feet of the Tian Shan mountain range, in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

At the junction of trade routes from the valley of the Oxus River, Khokand, Samarkand, Almati, Aksu, and Khotan, Kashgar has long been a political and commercial center.

Uighurs live mainly in the south of the Tianshan Mountains in Kashgar, in the Aksu and Hotan area. Most others are scattered throughout the Yili Autonomous Prefecture, north of the Tianshan Mountains.

"Uygur" means "unity" or "joint." Uygur nationality has its own unique culture and the arts. One aspect of this is Uygur earthenware.

Brief Introduction of Kashgar Earthenware

Kashgar’s ceramics date from the Han and Jin Dynasties, Today, its pottery-makers still follow the ancient local production process, using clay and their hands to shape the pots, before carving and painting, and baking them in a kiln.

Kashgar ceramics are used as cans, bowls, pots, and bottles as well as art. Artwork on their sides often depicts flowers, and traditional Islamic patters.

Other Famous Areas for Earthenware

Amont the other areas famous for their Uygur earthenware are Yingjisha and Turpan. There, pottery is made with colored glazes that are then reburned. The galzes contain different ingredients, including aluminum, quartz, and red soil, which give them different colors.