SANYA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- At the opening ceremony of China's 12th National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities on Friday night, Tangbol Tursunhali, a young Kazakh from northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, proudly carried the flag at the front of Jiangsu Province's delegation.
"It is a great honor to represent Jiangsu in front of the entire nation," said Tangbol.
As a student at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, the 23-year-old has already led a life rich with diverse experiences. He is not only a student but also a former soldier, a cultural heritage inheritor, and now, as an athlete, he has come to the coastal city of Sanya, Hainan Province, preparing to set sail for the Games.
Four months before the opening ceremony, Tangbol's hometown Zhaosu, Xinjiang, just hosted the Games' equestrian events.
"It's a special feeling to see my hometown hosting the equestrian events while I'm here in Sanya now participating in an exhibition event," said Tangbol.
Unlike other sports events, China's National Traditional Games of Ethnic Minorities includes numerous sports highlighting ethnic traditions, promoting mutual communication and learning among people.
Since May, Tangbol and his classmates have been working hard rehearsing for the event "Loong Dances with Nine Koi," which uses symbolic figures of the loong and koi to embody unity and strength through traditional melodies and movements.
One of the most challenging aspects of the performance is controlling the 16-meter-long loong, a responsibility entrusted to Tangbol. Dressed in traditional Kazakh attire, he is prepared to showcase his skill and strength as he maneuvers the massive one, delivering a vibrant show to the audience.
Tangbol's military experience played a key role in his ability to handle such a demanding task. In 2021, as a college freshman, he joined the Chinese Air Force, where two years of service not only strengthened his body and mind but also provided clarity and direction for his future aspirations.
During his youth, he learned Kazakh embroidery techniques Kezay Kestese from his grandmother. After completing his military service, Tangbol continued his dedication to preserving and innovating traditional Kazakh culture. With his professors' support, Tangbol founded the "Kazakh Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop" at his university, focusing on collecting, designing, and revitalizing Kazakh heritage patterns.
Over the past four years, he and his team have gathered more than 8,000 traditional patterns, traveling to six regions to document and recreate designs from furniture and textiles.
For Tangbol, the Games is more than just a competition -- it's an opportunity to showcase his cultural heritage while expanding his horizons.
"I hope to experience the cultural charm of different ethnic groups, and through my efforts, raise awareness of Kazakh cultural traditions," he said.
Now in his third year of university, Tangbol has ambitious plans for the future. He hopes to return to Xinjiang to promote Kazakh embroidery and inspire more people to engage with this rich cultural tradition.
"I want to make more people aware of Kazakh traditional embroidery and encourage them to participate in it," he said. ■
