Jeens Reshan (born 1968) is a Kazakh from Barkol, Kumul, Xinjiang. As a writer, playwright, and comedian, he is also a member of the China Writers Association, a contracted writer with the Xinjiang Writers Association, a chief editor of the Kazakh language section of Hami Literature, and vice chairman of the Kumul Writers Association. Known for his distinctive satirical style, he has worked across literature and the performing arts, earning him recognition as a representative of deputy Kazakh humorous literature.
1. Literary Works
Jeens’s major works include the trilogy The Growth of Tomupak, the satirical short story collections The Monkey’s Bodyguard and Thorn Grass, the humorous sketch collection Remote Control, the children’s book The Modern Crow and the Fox, and the first collection of xiangsheng scripts written in Kazakh. His essay collection Reflections on Shanghai documents his experiences in the Shanghai–Xinjiang Creative Writing Program. The themes of his works later shifted from the grasslands and the lives of herders to urban life, and his works have been translated into multiple languages, attracting readers from many different ethnic backgrounds. Jeens was the author of eleven published books, some of which have been translated into Chinese
His literary achievements have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pegasus Prize (2003), the national Steed Awards for Ethnic Literature (2007),the Xinjiang Young Writers Award (2008), and the Tengri Literature and Arts Award (2012). He was also recognized as an outstanding participant in the Shanghai–Xinjiang Creative Writing Program.
2. Stage Performances
Beyond his literary career, Jeens Reshan’s xiangsheng performances have appeared on the Xinjiang Television Spring Festival Gala, and his monologues, including Praising My Wife and Positive Energy Jokes, have gained widespread popularity on Douyin (China’s version of TikTok). Drawing on sketches from everyday life—such as jokes about “23 pairs of shoes versus two pairs” and “makeup costing as much as three times”—his performances have attracted tens of millions of views.
He has also released DVD and cassette recordings of his performances, blending traditional Kazakh proverbs with contemporary comedic themes. Through grassroots touring performances, he has promoted bilingual comedy among Kazakh- and Chinese-speaking audiences.
3. Detention
From 19 March 2026 to today, Jeens has been missing. According to his family in Almaty, who later made inquiries through multiple channels, he had been taken away for investigation by the Public Security Bureau in Barkol and later transferred to a prison.
Translated by Minnie Lee
