Nomadic family embrace better life in China's Xinjiang

Baht Turlksi and her little daughter Kursunak prepare stuffs for the trip to the summer pastures in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 3, 2023. Baht Turlksi, a 53-year-old herder, lives near the majestic Baluke Mountain, which lies in the south of Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"Baht" means "happiness", this name carries the purest expectation of parents for a better life of the next generation. With the hard working of the family during the decades and the support from the government, the good wishes have already become reality.

Kazak herders move between the winter pastures, spring-autumn pastures and summer pastures throughout the year. For many nomadic families in the autonomous region, the country's modernization drive has brought continuous benefits to their daily lives.

In recent years, the Chinese government has launched projects to build permanent settlements for herders, where medical, educational and cultural services are also available. Like many herders in Xinjiang, life of Baht's family is now semi-settled.

Since several years ago, Baht has stopped accompanying her husband to move to other pastures. Instead, she chooses to stay home to run a shop and take care of her children, who need to go to school.

Recently, the family started this year's trip to the summer pastures, which is considered very important for the goats' growing. For the next two months, Habudelashen Nusupbek, Baht's husband, and other family members will graze more than 400 goats they own in the mountains until the snow falls in September, when they will once again make the transition back their home.

Habudelashen Nusupbek checks the number of the goats in the sunrise in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023.

Habudelashen Nusupbek sets up a tent at the summer pasture in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 4, 2023. 

Baht Turlksi(R) buys necessities for her husband's trip and goods for her shop at a shop in Yumin County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 2, 2023.