12.00  Before and After Definition: Transformation of Intangible Cultural Heritage and Local Policy in Xinjiang

Based on fieldwork in Xinjiang, China, this paper will investigate the ambiguities surrounding the government policies that seek to promote economic development and yet still preserve cultural heritage. By focusing on current efforts to safeguard Uyghur Dastan (epic oral narratives) and Meshrep (cultural gatherings) as examples of national intangible cultural heritage, this paper will explore how cultural heritage can effect policy and also how the state uses cultural heritage politically and economically as a means of expressing national pride through ethnic minorities. The question is, can the difficult and complex challenges of authenticity, representation, and ownership be resolved collaboratively?