[Explanation] On Qingquan Road, Kekdala City, Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, four cute snow-carved rabbits attracted the attention of passers-by. Everyone either stopped and watched, or took photos and uploaded them to Moments, or took a group photo. Social platform communication became a local "Internet celebrity" for a while.
The 61-year-old Xinjiang uncle Abdukine Abdul Hader is the owner of a grocery store. He makes snow sculptures of the zodiac at the same place every year and has been spreading the culture of the zodiac for 21 years.
[Concurrent] Snow Sculpture Maker Abdukine Abdul Hader
The twelve zodiac signs are a traditional culture. If you look at it, you need to carve something every year, and then continue to carve. The twelve zodiac signs can basically be carved.
Everyone has also seen what year this year is, and basically knows it.
[Explanation] Abduke was grazing deep in the mountains when he was a child. He followed his parents to learn to use a knife to make basins and wooden spoons, and gradually fell in love with carving. In the next few decades, wood carving, root carving, mud carving, cement carving, He is trying to make snow sculptures.
Inside and outside Abdukein's shop, there are various animals carved by him with different materials, such as big rooster, cobra, sika deer, squirrel, eagle, sheep and other works, each of which is lifelike and amazing .
Since 2002, under the advice of the neighbors, the snow sculptures of Chinese zodiac signs have been made in the green belt in front of the store every winter.
In recent days, there has been heavy snowfall in the Ili River Valley. Abduk is eager to make a snow eagle next to these snow rabbits to make his snow sculptures more storytelling.
[Concurrent] Snow Sculpture Maker Abdukine Abdul Hader
I want to put an eagle in front of it, and it will look better, I think, and it will look more realistic.
There are more people watching and appreciating. This eagle catches this little rabbit, a group of rabbits.
[Explanation] Abdukeyin has his own set of procedures for making snow sculptures. First, the snow is piled up to form animal prototypes, and then the surface is fixed with water-sprinkled snow. Finally, water is poured over and over again to form the snow sculptures.
Behind the lifelike snow sculptures is Abdukein's ingenious conception. He can always integrate common things in life into snow sculptures, making the snow sculptures of the zodiac more grounded and aura.
[Concurrent] Snow Sculpture Maker Abdukine Abdul Hader
Put some plastic bags on it, inside the eyes, the horse's tail, horse mane and other things are all henna powder, put a little henna powder on it, and it will be successful.
When I do these things, I basically know it in my heart anyway. I don’t even look at the drafts, and I don’t even look at the image of some things. With my brain and imagination, I start to do it, and it comes out after I do it.
[Explanation] Abdul Kein said that the twelve zodiac signs are Chinese native culture, which has a long cultural history and unique folk customs. Now people have integrated elements of the new era and endowed them with new meanings. He hopes to use them In my own way, more people can understand the zodiac culture, and inherit and develop it.
[Concurrent] Snow Sculpture Maker Abdukine Abdul Hader
The twelve zodiac signs belong to traditional culture. If this thing is actually going to be done, continue to do it and pass it on to future generations.
Zhao Yamin and Yang Junqin report from Kekedala City, Ili, Xinjiang
Responsible editor: [Peng Dawei]