Meet Rahmethan Xeriphan: part-time PhD scholar, full-time guardian of Kazakh heritage. In the windswept grasslands of Xinjiang’s Kazak Autonomous County of Barkol, this modern-day Aken is blending ancient rhythms with TikTok-era storytelling. 🪕✨
As an Aken—a revered poet and improvisational singer—Rahmethan learned from mentor Erkenbek Angabay to weave tales through dombra strings. But he’s not just strumming tradition; his media studies expertise is turning folk songs into viral content. Think ‘The Epic of Manas’ meets Instagram Reels!
🌐 Why it matters: With 1.6 million Kazakhs in China preserving their nomadic roots, Rahmethan’s work bridges yurts and YouTube. ‘The dombra isn’t just an instrument—it’s our voice,’ he says, livestreaming performances that make Gen Z go ‘Wait, this slaps!’
From college lectures to digital archives, this cultural mashup proves traditions don’t fade—they remix. 🎧🔥
