This dissertation explores the ethnic relationship between the Hui and Han in Yinghe village in the Southeast Henan Province, China. Since 1949, the rapid political, religious and economic transformations in China have affected people’s ways of maintaining their ethnic identities. In responding to different state policies and an emerging market economy, the Hui people have redefined their culture and identity and thus redrawn their ethnic boundaries.

The political campaigns implemented by the Communist government after 1949, including the Ethnic Minority Classification Policy, the Religious Reform and the Socialist Transformation, have made Hui an ethnic category different from the religious concept of Islam. During the Collective era, the Hui nationality had been treated as an infe...[ Read more ]

This dissertation explores the ethnic relationship between the Hui and Han in Yinghe village in the Southeast Henan Province, China. Since 1949, the rapid political, religious and economic transformations in China have affected people’s ways of maintaining their ethnic identities. In responding to different state policies and an emerging market economy, the Hui people have redefined their culture and identity and thus redrawn their ethnic boundaries.

The political campaigns implemented by the Communist government after 1949, including the Ethnic Minority Classification Policy, the Religious Reform and the Socialist Transformation, have made Hui an ethnic category different from the religious concept of Islam. During the Collective era, the Hui nationality had been treated as an inferior minority group when their ways of raising and consuming livestock were politicized.

After the introduction of the Reform and Opening-up Policy, the Hui’s emphasis on consuming “qingzhen” (halal, pure and true) food gave them special advantages in the food business. The concept of “qingzhen” has been linked to food safety, health and hygiene. In Yinghe, this was the context in which the sheep raising and trading network has been established and consolidated. The shepherds and qingzhen food traders have further established closed connections to maintain credibility for their business. The qingzhen food trade not only brings the Hui economic benefit, but also strengthens their ethnic identity.

A process of “Huization” has been gradually initiated. The Hui people in Yinghe try to “act like a Hui” to promote their Hui ethnic status. The neighboring Su villagers try to pursue an official Hui identity by tracing their Hui ancestral link and following local Hui practices collectively.

Before the 1980s, the Hui people in Yinghe had been considered an inferior minority. In the last three decades, awarded national minority status and amidst increasing demands for safe food, the Hui people have gained new power in a Han dominated environment.