A VIEW OF THE ECOLOGICAL ROLE AND VALUE TO FOLKLORE OF THE MAN- MADE WATERING HOLES IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS OF XINJIANG UYGHUR SOCIETY.

There were some 100,000 man-made watering holes in the original neighborhood structures of the suburbs, towns, and villages in which the Uyghur people throughout Xinjiang congregated and settled down. From ages long ago through the end of the 20th century, these watering holes provided the people with drinking water, water for other daily needs, and water for livestock. Other roles they played were those of being everyday gathering points for communication between people and centers where children engaged in games and activities. From this perspective they have had substantial value, both ecologically and in terms of folklore, and thus meet the requirements of being worthy of research and of being placed on the table of scientific discussion. In this essay the material and cultural value of this type of watering hole will be briefly discussed.