Hearing Islam in Northern China: The Case of Localized Sonic Practice in Hui Communities
THU 24 APR 2025 | 4:00 PM
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Speaker: Mr. LI Jiaqi (PhD candidate, ethnomusicology)
Time: 4 PM - 5:30 PM
Venue: LG04, Hui Yeung Shing Building, Chung Chi Campus, CUHK
Abstract:
The global spread of Islam necessitates the adaptation of its religious practices to align with and resonate within diverse local contexts and environments. As Islam took root and expanded in China since the 7th century, it inevitably absorbed many Chinese elements, giving rise to unique expressions such as Chinese-style mosque architecture, Chinese halal cuisine, and Chinese-influenced Arabic calligraphy. Similarly, drawing from the traditions of Chinese regional opera and folk songs, Qur’anic recitation and praises of Huabei (Northern China) Hui Muslim have evolved into distinct Chinese-style sonic practices that have become a vital part of their spiritual and cultural identity.
This localized soundscape serves as a crucial medium through which Hui Muslims, who primarily communicate in Chinese or local dialects, interpret and express their religious identity. In contrast to Islam in many other regions, its continuity in China has been preserved not through active proselytization but through ethnic and familial lineage. Over centuries of coexistence with Han communities, Hui Muslims have cultivated a unique cultural and religious synthesis, embedding Islamic practices within the broader tapestry of Chinese society. This integration has allowed them to preserve their faith while adapting to the surrounding cultural environment, creating a distinctive expression of Islam that reflects both their heritage and their lived realities.
This presentation begins with the assumption that auditory aesthetics provide a unique lens for understanding the development and transformation of a community’s ideologies. By tracing the genealogy of Hui soundscapes, it explores how the religious practices and beliefs of Hui Muslims have evolved through a process of localization, adapting to shifting historical and cultural contexts. The sonic practices of Hui Muslims not only highlight the dynamic nature of Islam but also underscores its ability to adapt, evolve, and flourish in an ever-changing world.