Biography
Ghalip Barat Erk (Uyghur: غالىپ بارات ئەرك) was born in August 1968 into a farming family in the Turpan Neighborhood of Utam village, Charqiliq County, Bayingholin Autonomous Prefecture. He graduated from Utam village middle school in 1984 and studied carrier wave technology at the Postal‑Telegraph School, graduating in 1989. From 2001 to 2004 he studied computer information management at Xinjiang University. Since 1985, he has researched the history, culture, and toponymy of East Turkestan, collecting materials and publishing widely. His first article, “The Role Uyghurs Played in the Mongol Empire,” appeared in the first issue of Bostan Journal (1989). He went on to publish more than 150 papers, several books, and contributed to county historical volumes. From August 1989 to 2018, he worked at China Telecom (Charqiliq County Branch). He was also co-founder of the “Kroran Culture” magazine. In 2018, he was arrested and sentenced to 17 years, one among many Uyghur scholars imprisoned for documenting Uyghur history and culture.
Works and publications with sources
Books (published)
- Kroran history and culture (Kroran tarix‑medeniyiti):
- Details: Xinjiang People’s Publishing House; 545 pages; Uyghur; 2016 (library entry).
- Sources: Uyghur Library listing with bibliographic data kutuphana.uygur.com, yanghin.net, ug.uyghurtetqiqat.org, elkitab.org, uyghurkitap.com, ewlatkitap.com (could buy online), pexrim
- Mystery of Kroran (2004 edition):
- Details: Earlier publication referenced in his biography (year given as 2004).
- Essence of Uyghur Folklore – Lopnur Section (2011):
- Details: Thematic folklore study focused on Lopnur.
- History and Culture of Cherchen (2014):
- Details: Regional historical and cultural overview.
- In the Trace of Mahmud Kashgari (2014) (other link):
- Details: Research on Mahmud Kashgari’s legacy and routes.
Articles and contributions
- “The Role Uyghurs Played in the Mongol Empire” (1989):
- Details: First published article in Bostan Journal (issue 1, 1989).
- Charqiliq Historical Materials, vols. 3–6:
- Details: Multiple articles included in volumes 3, 4, 5, and 6 compiled by the Charqiliq County CPPCC.
- Statements about Tamerlane, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links
- Who found Kroran? (Biography of a Ordek – duck)
- About Yenisu and its question of belonging
- Discussion of the name “Korla”
- There is a lot of wisdom in place names
- About the names of places in the Lop area and the naming practices of the people of Lop
- A collection of outstanding essays
- The Historical Reasons of Cultural Decline of Uyghurs’, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links
- The beginning and end of using the name “Uyghur”, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links, alternative links
- A new perspective on the name “Uyghur”
- Tragedy among Uyghurs: Marriage and family in crisis, alternative links
- Population of Kroran and migration of Krorans, alternative links
- Discussion on the historical location of the Sarih Uyghurs (Yughurs)
- Personal names in the Lop people
- Kitik, an ancient city in Teklimakan
- Some of his Articles published in various magazines: maqale.uyghurkitap.com
- Some of his articles mentioned on the internet: About some places names origin, others, others , others, others, others
Manuscripts submitted (unpublished, per biography)
- Mystery of Taklamakan;
- Mystery of Tarim;
- Mystery of Lopnur;
- Monument of Love: Tahir and Zohra;
- Essence of Uyghur Folklore – Charqiliq Section;
- Monument of Contribution;
- Toponyms of Bayingol;
- Ancient Civilization in the Ancient Homeland.
