Muslim Chinese - the Hui in Rural Ningxia

Viac o knihe

The Hui are predominantly Muslim Chinese with roots in Persian and Arabic-speaking regions of Central Asia and the Middle East. As the largest Muslim group in China and its third largest ethnic minority, they number 10.6 million according to the 2010 census. Despite their significant presence, Hui identity is often overlooked in humanities and social sciences due to their geographic distribution and long-term acculturation by the Han majority. This study investigates Hui identity in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region amidst China’s rapid modernization and industrialization in the 21st century, focusing on the internal migration of rural populations that has significantly influenced the socioeconomic landscape for Chinese peasants. Drawing on field data collected from 2011 to 2013 among the Jahriyya Hui, the research explores the effects of migration on Hui ethnoreligious identity, examining concepts of purity, fasting, and beliefs about the afterlife. It analyzes religious rituals, including commemoration ceremonies and Ramadan, highlighting their evolving forms and values. The findings reveal that Islam remains vital in defining Hui identity, yet increased interactions with Han populations and diverse Sufi paths are challenging traditional notions of purity and weakening the Hui's unique awareness of their religious affiliations.