THE ROLE OF WOMEN’S IDENTITY AND THE NUZUGUM STORY IN THE EAST TURKESTAN RESISTANCE

Öz

This study deeply analyzes the importance of female identity in resistance movements in East Turkestan and the symbolic role of Nuzugum in Uyghur cultural resistance. Historically, heroic narratives have undertaken critical functions such as preserving the identities of communities, keeping their cultural heritage alive, and continuing their struggle for independence. In this context, Nuzugum, who has a deep-rooted place in the memory of the Uyghur people, is seen not only as an individual heroic figure, but also as a symbol that nourishes the collective memory and strengthens the identity consciousness of the Uyghurs. China's oppressive policies on East Turkestan have left deep marks in the collective memory of the Uyghur people and increased the importance of figures that strengthen the identity consciousness. Nuzugum's tragic yet resisting story has not only emphasized the place of Uyghur women in the struggle for freedom, but has also become a source of inspiration for today's Uyghur women. In the transmission of cultural heritage through oral and written traditions, Nuzugum's story should be evaluated not only as a literary motif, but also as a critical element in the process of identity reconstruction. This study will examine the social and cultural roles of Uyghur women in the resistance processes throughout history and the place of Nuzugum's story in the construction of contemporary Uyghur identity. The importance of Nuzugum, both as a historical figure and as a place in collective memory, in the Uyghur social struggle will be emphasized and the impact of female heroes in cultural resistance will be revealed.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• East Turkestan
• Nuzugum
• Cultural Resistance
• Uyghur
• Freedom Struggle

DOĞU TÜRKİSTAN DİRENİŞİNDE KADIN KİMLİĞİ VE NAZİĞİM (NUZUGUM) HİKÂYESİNİN ÖNEMİ

Öz

Bu çalışma, Doğu Türkistan’daki direniş hareketlerinde kadın kimliğinin önemini ve Nuzugum’un Uygur kültürel direnişindeki sembolik rolünü derinlemesine analiz etmektedir. Tarihsel süreçte kahramanlık anlatıları, toplulukların kimliklerini koruma, kültürel miraslarını yaşatma ve bağımsızlık mücadelelerini sürdürme gibi kritik işlevler üstlenmiştir. Bu bağlamda, Uygur halkının hafızasında köklü bir yere sahip olan Nuzugum, yalnızca bireysel bir kahramanlık figürü değil, aynı zamanda kolektif hafızayı besleyen ve Uygurların kimlik bilincini güçlendiren bir sembol olarak görülmektedir. Çin’in Doğu Türkistan üzerindeki baskıcı politikaları, Uygur halkının kolektif hafızasında derin izler bırakmış ve kimlik bilincini pekiştiren figürlerin önemini arttırmıştır. Nuzugum’un trajik ancak direniş dolu öyküsü, Uygur kadınlarının özgürlük mücadelesindeki yerini vurgulamakla kalmamış, aynı zamanda günümüz Uygur kadınları için de bir ilham kaynağı olmuştur. Kültürel mirasın sözlü ve yazılı geleneklerle aktarılmasında Nuzugum’un hikâyesi, yalnızca edebî bir motif değil, aynı zamanda kimliğin yeniden inşa sürecinde kritik bir unsur olarak değerlendirilmelidir. Bu çalışmada, Uygur kadınlarının tarih boyunca süregelen direniş süreçlerindeki toplumsal ve kültürel rolleri ele alınarak Nuzugum’un hikâyesinin çağdaş Uygur kimlik inşasındaki yeri incelenecektir. Hem tarihî bir figür hem de kolektif hafızadaki yeriyle Nuzugum’un Uygur toplumsal mücadelesindeki önemi vurgulanarak kadın kahramanların kültürel direnişteki etkisi ortaya konulacaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Doğu Türkistan
• Nuzugum
• Kültürel Direniş
• Uygur
• Özgürlük Mücadelesi

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