The Hui Ethnic Group is a minority of China. The Hui people are distinguished from others by their practice of Islam and language. They are Muslims who speak the Mandarin. The total population of Hui is about 10.6 million according to the 2010 nationwide census. Most Hui people inhabit the northwestern China, such as Ningxia Hui’s Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province and Xinjiang Uighur’s Autonomous Region. Nevertheless, communities of Hui can be found across the country, and a large number of Hui people live in big cities, like Beijing, Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Kunming, Chengdu and others.
The History of Hui Nationality
The Hui Ethnic Group has diverse origins. The history of Hui-Chinese can be traced back to the early Tang Dynasty(618-907). According to the historical records, in the year of 651, some traders from Arab and Persia sailed to the southeastern coast of China. In the subsequent years, more Muslim traders came to China from the Middle East and settled in cities, like Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Yangzhou, Quanzhou and Xi’an. The immigrants built mosques and public cemeteries. They intermarried with the Han-Chinese and were gradually assimilated into the Han’s community. However, the Hui people have kept their own religion. The immigrants were called Fanke by the Han people. Fanke means an immigrant from overseas countries.
During the early 13th century, when the Mongols undertook their western military expedition, a large number of Muslims from the Central and Western Asia migrated to China either voluntarily or under duress. They resided in the northwestern provinces of China, such as Ningxia Hui’s Autonomous Region, Gansu Province, Shaanxi Province and Xinjiang Uighur’s Autonomous Region. The Muslims were recognized as Semu Ethnic Group by the Yuan Emperors. Semu is known as Khwarazam. It means people of mixed race. In the Yuan Dynasty(1271-1368), the Khwarazam people occupied an exalted position directly below the Mongol nobility in the social hierarchy.
In ancient times, Islam was called the Hui Religion by the Han-Chinese. The Hui people began to emerge as an ethnic group during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644). The descendants of those Muslim immigrants were allowed to follow their native religion and built mosques at their settlements. During the early stage of their eastward exodus, the immigrants spoke their native languages, such as Arabic and Persian. Gradually, the Hui people came to speak only the Han’s language, incorporating certain Arabic and Persian phrases. However, the Han’s culture has been assimilated into the Hui’s daily life for centuries.
The Hui’s Culture and Folk Custom
The Hui people believe in Allah. They practice many Islamic customs. A newly born baby is given a Hui’s name by an imam. The imam also presides over wedding ceremonies and funerals. The deceased must be buried promptly without a coffin, after being washed and wrapped with white cloth. People are not allowed to wail at a funeral, because that is considered to be a complaint against the dead. The Hui people follow many taboos in their daily life, such as washing hands before meal and cleaning before worshiping. When they worship at a mosque, men usually wear white or black caps, and women tie white, black or green head scarves.
The Hui’s Food
The Hui people are not allowed to break the Koranic dietary proscription. The blood of animals is a kind of forbidden food. They also do not consume pork and the meat of some other animals, such as dogs, horses, donkeys and mules. A pigeon can be eaten only under certain circumstances with the approval from an imam. Both smoking and drinking alcohol are prohibited. The staple food of Hui people consists of wheat, corn(maize), barley and potato. The hand-pulled noodle is the Hui people’s favourite food.
The Hui’s Festivals
The Hui people celebrate the Lasser Bairam(or the Kaizhai Festival), the Corban Festival and the Mawlid al-Nabi Festival.
Muslims fast during Ramadan. The Ramadan refers to the 9th month of the Muslim year. Men older than 12 and women older than 9, both do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. The Lasser Bairam is celebrated on the first day of the 10th month. The celebration lasts for three days. They consume fried cakes, choice beef and mutton at the celebration.
The Corban Festival is held on the tenth day of the last month. The Hui people do not have breakfast in the morning. After worshiping in mosques, they butcher cattle and share the beef with the poor and their friends. It is not permitted to sell beef cattle on the day.
The Mawlid al-Nabi Festival is a religious ceremony that Muslims celebrate the birthday of Muhammad(570-632), the founder of Islam. Known as the Prophet, Muhammad was born on the 12th day of the 3rd month and passed away on the same day of the Muslim year. At the festival, the Muslims often donate money and food to the mosques for charity. The imams preside a religious ceremony and a feast for the donors and the poor.
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Author: Tina Luo
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