Young people take reins of Kazak culture with pride

Zhaosu lies on the western flank of Xinjiang, within the verdant valleys of the Ili River. Its picture-perfect alpine pastures nestle amid the grand Tianshan mountain range. Differing from Kazak herdsmen in other parts of Xinjiang who use horses to herd sheep, Zhaosu people are known for breeding Yili horses.

With top-quality grassland and the people's passion and love for horses, the county is often referred to as "horse heaven" by people in the know. As of the end of last year, Zhaosu had almost as many horses as it had people — 177,000 residents to 121,500 steeds.

"The Kazaks have an old saying that 'horses are the wings of man'. We see them as our family members so it's our duty to take care of them," Yeran said while watching two-year-old Smoky frolic on the grassland. His family owns more than 40 horses.

Yeran said because raising horses is his passion, he's decided to carry on the family tradition, which the modern world still has a place for. The family can receive an annual income of about 100,000 yuan ($14,000) for selling horses used for racing.

He said he doesn't envy the life in cities, as spending time around nature allows people to stay healthy both physically and mentally. "I ride my horse when I feel happy. Also, whenever I feel down, I take my horse for a ride toward the mountain at full speed. My spirit is instantly lifted."

People in Zhaosu respect nature and know how to keep a balance between raising horses and protecting the environment. They live on the pasture high up in the mountains during the summer with their livestock, and move down to their settlements in lower areas in the winter.

The recently popular TV series To The Wonder, based on the adaptation of the novel My Altay by author Li Juan has put the spotlight on the nomadic life of the Kazaks in Altay prefecture in Xinjiang.

Central to the series is its portrayal of the clash between tradition and modernity among the local people, a theme that also resonates deeply in other parts of the world.

"The clashes do exist in real life, but we won't lose our traditions no matter what because they are in our blood just like we are born horse riders," said Yeran, who plays the dombra, a Kazak traditional musical instrument in his free time.

The TV series has caught the imaginations of young Chinese yearning to escape the grind of life in the country's major cities, and triggered a spike in tourism to pastures in Xinjiang, including Zhaosu. Young Kazaks like Yeran want to capitalize on this opportunity.

"I want to open up a homestay on our summer pasture so people can experience the life of a Kazak nomad and learn about the Kazak culture, as well as visit tourist spots where they can only enjoy the beautiful scenery," he said. "I hope I can offer them experiences of a different way of living."

In Zhaosu, every boy from the Kazak ethnic group receives a horse as a gift when they reach the age of four or five. They are taught how to ride horses before they can walk, said Galin Nurbarhat who started horse racing when he was a boy.

The 24-year-old is currently studying at a university in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. He always wants to get home as soon as possible during vacations so he can be with the horses.