Awake by Abduxaliq Uyghur, Translated by Memet T Zunun

              

Awake	ئويغان
Abduxaliq Uyghur   Translated by Memet T Zunun

 

Oh, unfortunate Uyghur, awaken, sleep no more, Deprived of possessions, risking life's core. Do not escape this imminent plight, Oh, peril surrounds you day and night.   Arise! I implore, lift your weary head, Open your eyes, strike your foes with dread. If you turn a blind eye to your perilous state, Death shall befall you, sealed by fate.   Yet you lie motionless, like a lifeless shell, Does the prospect of death not ring your knell? Unable to move while you're ensnared, Will you perish, never awakened or repaired?   Keep watchful eyes, survey your domain, Ponder your stance, reflect and regain. An opportunity awaits, to break free, What ails you? What holds you back, can't you see?   I feel compassion for you, dear Uyghur soul, My comrades, my brethren, my kin in whole. I strive to awaken you from this despair, But you turn a deaf ear, unaware.   One day, regret shall fill your heart, When the moment passes, you played no part. "Oops!" you'll exclaim, the chance gone amiss, Then you'll acknowledge the word, "Uyghur," in abyss.

ئەي پېقىر ئۇيغۇر، ئويغان، ئۇيقۇڭ يېتەر، سەندە مال يوق، ئەمدى كەتسە جان كېتەر. بۇ ئۆلۈمدىن ئۆزۈڭنى قۇتقۇزمىساڭ، ئاھ، سېنىڭ ھالىڭ خەتەر، ھالىڭ خەتەر.   قوپ ! دېدىم، بېشىڭ كۆتۈر! ئۇيقۇڭنى ئاچ رەقىبىڭ باشىنى كەس، قانىنى چاچ ! كۆز ئېچىپ ئەتراپقا ئوبدان باقمىساڭ، ئۆلىسەن ئارماندا بىر كۈن نائىلاج .   ھېلىمۇ جانسىزغا ئوخشايدۇ تېنىڭ، شڭا يوقمۇ ئانچە ئۆلۈمدىن غېمىڭ ؟ قىچقارسام قىمىرلىمايلا ياتىسەن، ئويغانماي ئۆلمەكچىمۇ سەن شۇ پېتىڭ ؟!   كۆزۈڭنى يوغان ئېچىپ ئەتراپقا باق، ئۆز ئىقبالىڭ ھەققىدە ئويلا ئۇزاق. كەتس قولدىن بۇ غەنىيمەت پۇرسىتى، كېلەچەك ئىشىڭ چاتاق، ئىشىڭ چاتاق .   ئېچىنار كۆڭلۈم ساڭا ئەي ئۇيغۇرۇم، سەدىشىم، قېرىندىشىم، بىر تۇغقىنىم. كۆيۈنۈپ ھالىڭغا، ئويغاتسام سېنى، ئاڭلىمايسەن زادى، نېمە بولغىنىڭ ؟   كېلىدۇ بىر كۈن پۇشايمان قىلىسەن، ەكتىگە گەپنىڭ شۇ چاغدا يېتىسەن. «خەپ!» دېسەڭ ئۇ چاغدا ئۈلگۈرمەي قالار، شۇندا ئۇيغۇر سۆزىگە تەن بېرىسەن.

  Translated in March 2011 

 

Abduhalik Uyghur

Mt Zunun

Abduhalik Uyghur, also known as Abduxaliq Uyghur, was a prominent Uyghur poet and intellectual who left an enduring mark on Uyghur literature and nationalist sentiments. Born on February 9, 1901, in Turpan, Silkland, during the waning years of the Qing Empire, his life and work were dedicated to the cultural and linguistic preservation of the Uyghur people.

Early Education and Multifaceted Scholar:

At the tender age of 8, Abduhalik began his education in a Madrasah, immersing himself in the study of Arabic, Persian, and Uyghur classics. This early exposure to a diverse range of languages and literary traditions provided him with a solid foundation for his later intellectual pursuits. As he grew older, he expanded his educational horizons by attending a Chinese school in Turpan. Here, he mastered the Chinese language and delved into the works of notable Chinese figures, including Sun Yat Sen and Lu Xun.

Intellectual Exploration in the Soviet Union:

In pursuit of a deeper understanding of literature and to broaden his intellectual horizons, Abduhalik Uyghur embarked on a journey to the Soviet Union after 1923. Over the course of three years, he immersed himself in the works of renowned Russian literary figures such as Pushkin, Tolstoy, and Gorky. This exposure to Russian literature played a pivotal role in shaping his own poetic style and worldview.

Notable Works and Nationalist Sentiments:

Abduhalik Uyghur's literary legacy is punctuated by his influential nationalist poem "Oyghan" (Awake!). The poem opens with the evocative line "Ey pekir Uyghur, oyghan!" (Hey poor Uyghur, wake up!), a powerful call to action that resonated deeply with his fellow Uyghurs. Through his writings, Abduhalik fervently championed Uyghur identity and the preservation of Uyghur culture in the face of external pressures.

Tragic End and Legacy:

Regrettably, Abduhalik Uyghur's commitment to Uyghur nationalism led to his untimely demise. He was executed by the Chinese warlord Sheng Shicai in Turpan on March 13, 1933, at the age of 32. His works and sacrifice continue to inspire generations of Uyghurs in their pursuit of cultural preservation and self-determination.

Notable Poems:

Oygan (Awake!)

Gezep ve Zar (Anger and Eager)

Zulumga Karşi (Against Oppression)

Körüngen Tag Yirak Emes (The Visible Mountain is Not Far)

Köñül Hahişi (Jewel of the Heart)

Abduhalik Uyghur's profound contributions to Uyghur literature and his unyielding dedication to his people's cultural heritage have solidified his place as an intellectual luminary in Uyghur history. His life and works continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration for Uyghurs striving for cultural preservation and self-expression in the face of adversity.