Beneath Beijing’s sprawling expanse lies Dachang Hui Autonomous County. It is a place where Islamic tradition and Chinese history intertwine. Dachang was established in 1955. It is one of China’s few autonomous counties. This status gives its Muslim Hui population access to Muslim schools, clinics, mosques, and cemeteries.
Dachang’s Hui population numbered 26,863 in 2004. They accounted for about 20% of the county’s total population. These Hui people are mainly in 26 villages. These villages are within Dachang and Xiadian townships. Thirteen of these villages are historical Hui villages.
Many trace their origins back to the Ming dynasty. The Hui people seemed to have high standing then. Their status declined during the Qing dynasty. Their position worsened in the warlord and KMT periods. Then, they were derogatively called “Huizi”. Dachang was depicted as a “bandit area”.
But the area has transformed. Today, Dachang boasts 16 mosques. It has more than 70 trained imams. The county’s Muslim hospitals have been restored. They provide essential healthcare.
The Cultural Revolution impacted Dachang. From 1958 to 1981 formal religious activities stopped. The first mosque to reopen was at Beiwu. Members of the Hui nationality cadre from Beijing and Tianjin were sent to Dachang. They were “educated youths”. They helped construct socialism in the area.
Yang Baojun has documented Dachang’s history. He has written extensively about the Hui people. He is a lawyer, legislator, and local government official. Yang is also a member of the Communist Party. He identifies with Islam and the Hui ethnicity. He embodies a secular Islamic historiography unique to China.
Yang Baojun’s books are essential for understanding Dachang. They rely on archival knowledge. They use information from specialist collections. He also includes materials from genealogies of local clans. These clans include the He clan, the Hai clan and the Feng clan.
The He clan genealogy traces back to the Tang dynasty. The “supreme first ancestor” was He Yesida’er. His sons were the first He clan members to move north. They traveled with the armies of Zhu Di in 1404. Zhu Di became the Yongle Emperor. The He clan settled in Beiluzhuang village in Dachang. They helped introduce Islam to the area. They are credited with building the first mosque in Beiluzhuang.
The Hai clan traces its origins to Hai Nanxi. He was an officer from the Nanjing region. He fought for the Prince of Yan. The Hai clan believes it originated among the Huihui. These were Muslims brought from Central and Western Asia. They assisted the Yuan dynasty.
The Feng clan’s origins are more complex. Feng Sheng swore allegiance to Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Yuanzhang founded the Ming dynasty. Feng Sheng became a general. A descendant, Feng Qirui, brought the Feng clan to Dachang.
Beiwu Mosque is in Xiadian township. A mosque was built there during the Ming dynasty. A stone stele dated to 1617 records a donation. The donation came from Li Yangquan. He was a Muslim eunuch serving the imperial court.
Dachang is not just a neat microcosm of a larger picture. It is a place with a unique identity. It is shaped by its history, its people, and its faith. As you stand here take a moment to reflect on Dachang’s unique place in China. Remember its blend of Islamic culture and Chinese heritage.