Sermon Poems in Uyghurs and Huis: A Comparison Approach toward the Socioreligious Representations of Muslim Minorities in China

Authors

  • Wang Jianxin Ethnology Institute of Lanzhou University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26577/EJRS-2015-1-13
        73 0

Keywords:

islam, sermon poems, mosque, preachers, Uyghurs, Huis, Islamization of folk traditions, Islamic identity,

Abstract

In this paper, I mean to undertake comparison analyses on the religious representations appearing in the sermon poems composed by those mosque preachers both in the Uyghurs and Huis. By doing these, I aim at unfolding the process of the symbolic constructions in their sermon poems, and as a result, shedding lights onto their rich ways, different in literate styles and composition forms but similar in religious ideologies, to use Islam as a logic base. From the descriptions and discussions of this paper, we also can get useful information for understanding the Islamization of folk traditions in the localities of the Uyghurs and the Huis, and examine the methodological possibility of studying Muslim community constructions in terms of their universal Islamic identity.

References

1 Aoki, Takashi (2006). View of Studies on Islamic Materials in Ming and Ching Dynasties: The course of the research group of Muslim-Confucian Scholar’s works (Mingshin Isuramu Bunken kara-no Shiten–Kaiju-no Chosaku Kenkyukai-no Ayumi) in Suggestions to China Studies (Chugocu Gaku-e-no Teigen), Collection for the proceedings of 58th Japan China Studies Conference.
2 Du, Weiming (2001). Civilization Communication and Understanding: the Topic of 21st century (Wenming Duihua yu Lijie: Ershiyi Shiji de Shidai Zhuti). Hui Studies (Huizu Yanjiu). No.1.
3 Geertz, Clifford (1975). The Interpretation of Cultures. Hutchinson of London.
4 Gladney, Dru C., (1991). Muslim Chinese: Ethnic Nationalism in the People’s Republic. Cambridge (Massachusetts) and London: published by Council on East Asian Studies and distributed by Harvard University Press.
5 Hua, Tao, (2010). Report on the 4th Civilization Interactions International Conferennce (Disici Wenming Duihua Guoji Xueshu Yantaohui Zongshu). No.3.
6 Huntington, Samuel P., (1996). The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. New York, Simon & Schuster.
7 Liu, Zhi wr., Ma Baoguang, Li Sansheng trans (1994). Islamic Doctrines (Tianfang Xingli). Zhongchuan Antique Materials Publishing Company (Zhongchuan Guji Chubanshe).
8 Liu, Yingsheng, (2003). The historical Backgrounds of Arabic-Chinese letter system: On the Hui’s Chinese Language (Xiaojing Wenzi Chansheng de Beijing---Guanyu Huizu Hanyu) . Northwestern Journal of Ethnology, No. 3.
9 Machida, Kazuhiko, Kuroiwa Takashi, Sugawara Jun eds (2003). The Portraits of the Arabic Literate Culture in China (Chugoku-ni Okeru Arabia Moji Bunka-no Shozo), AA Institute of Tokyo University for Foreign Studies (Tokyo Gaikokugo Daigaku Ajia Afurika Gengo Bunka Kenkujo).
10 Ma, Pinyan (1987). Mazar and Mazar Worship in Southern Xinjiang (Nanjiang de Mazha he Mazha Chaobai), in China Islam Studies (Zhongguo Yisilan Yanjiiu) Qianghai Peoples Publishing Company (Qinghai Renmin Chubanshe).
11 Ma, Tong (1983). History of Islamic Sectors and Sufi Family Systems in China (Zhongguo Yisilan Jiaopai Menhuan Zhidushi). Ningxia Peoples Publishing Company, (Ningxia Renmin Chubanshe).
12 (2000). Research on the origins of Islamic Sectors and Sufi Families (Zhongguo Yisilan Jiaopai Menhuan Suyuan). Ningxia Peoples Publishing Company, (Ningxia Renmin Chubanshe).
13 Ma, Zhu wr., Yu Zhengui col. (1988). Guidance to Islam (Qingzhen Zhinan). Ningxia Peoples Publishing Company (Ningxia Renmin Chubanshe).
14 Murata Sachiko (2000). Chinese Gleams of Sufi Light: Wang Tai-yu’s Great Learning of the Pure and Real and Liu Chih’s Displaying the Concealment of the Real Realm. State University of New York Press.
15 Sato, Minoru, (2006). The Theory of Five Elements in Ma Zhu’s Guidance to Islam (Qingzhen Zhinan) (Ma Chu «Seishin Shinan»no Gogyo Theory), Society of Islamic Studies in China (Chugoku Isuramu Shiso Kenkyukai) ed., Studies of Islamic Thought in China (Chugoku Isuramu Shiso Kenkyu), No.2.
16 Tan, Tan (2003). A Study on the Reason of the Appearance of The Hui Writing and Translation of Islamic scriptures in the end of Ming till the beginning of Qing (Mingmo Qingchu Huizu Yisilan Hanwen Yizhu Xingqi de Yuanyin Yanjiu). Study of World Religions (Shijie Zongjiao Yanjiu). No. 3.
17 The statistic section of the Turpan District. (2004). 2004’ Statistical yearbook of Turpan. China Statistics Press .
18 Turpan City People’s Literature Collection Committee (Turpan Sheherlik Khaliq Edibiyeti Toplamliri Tehrir Hayiti). (1990). China People’s Folk Songs Xinjiang Part (Jongguo Khaliq Chochekliri Shinjang Tomi: Turpan Sheher Khaliq Parangliri). Turpan Sheherlik 1-Ottura Mektep Basma Zawuti.
19 Wang Daiyu wr., Yu Zhengui col. (1988). Proper Religion and True Annotations (Zhengjiao Zhenquan), Great Studies of Islam (Qingzhen Daxue), Real and Legitimate Answers (Xizhen Zhengda) Ningxia Peoples Publishing Company (Ningxia Renmin Chubanshe).

Additional Files

How to Cite

Jianxin, W. (2016). Sermon Poems in Uyghurs and Huis: A Comparison Approach toward the Socioreligious Representations of Muslim Minorities in China. Eurasian Journal of Religious Studies, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.26577/EJRS-2015-1-13