Between Mecca and Beijing: Modernization and Consumption Among Urban Chinese Mus

Description: Between Mecca and Beijing by Maris Boyd Gillette How the Hui Muslims of Xian use consumerism to show their openness to modernization in a Chinese context. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description Through a detailed study of the daily life - eating habits, dress styles, housing, marriage and death rituals, religious practices, education, family organization - of the Hui inhabitants of Xian, Maris Boyd Gillette examines how a community of urban Chinese Muslims classified by the state as backward use consumption to position themselves more favorably within the Chinese governments official paradigm for development. By selectively consuming goods and adopting fashions they regard as modern and non-Chinese - which include commodities and styles from both the West and the Muslim world - these Chinese Muslims seek to demonstrate that they are capable of modernizing without the guidance or assistance of the state. In so doing, they challenge one of the fundamental roles the Chinese Communist government has claimed for itself, that of guide and purveyor of modernity. Back Cover "For Muslims in China, eating is a political act, and this book, the most detailed and comprehensive study of a Muslim community in China to date, explains why. In a society that views pork and secularism as the norm, to be a Muslim can be a challenging if not impossible endeavor. The book shows how a small minority can survive and maintain its values in the face of frequent intolerance by the dominant culture. It also translates the fascinating details of the lives of Chinese Muslims into larger modern problems facing communities across the globe."-Dru C. Gladney, University of Hawaii, Manoa "This book, the most detailed and comprehensive study of a Muslim community in China to date . . . shows how a small minority can survive and maintain its values in the face of frequent intolerance by the dominant culture. . . . Fascinating details of the lives of Chinese Muslims."-Dru C. Gladney, University of Hawaii, Manoa Flap Between Mecca and Beijing examines how a community of urban Chinese Muslims uses consumption to position its members more favorably within the Chinese governments official paradigm for development. Residents of the old Muslim district in the ancient Chinese capital of Xian belong to an official minority (the Hui nationality) that has been classified by the state as "backward" in comparison to Chinas majority (Han) population. Though these Hui urbanites, like the vast majority of Chinese citizens, accept the assumptions about social evolution upon which such labels are based, they actively reject the official characterization of themselves as less civilized and modern than the Han majority. By selectively consuming goods and adopting fashions they regard as modern and non-Chinese-which include commodities and styles from both the West and the Muslim world-these Chinese Muslims seek to demonstrate that they are capable of modernizing without the guidance or assistance of the state. In so doing, they challenge one of the fundamental roles the Chinese Communist government has claimed for itself, that of guide and purveyor of modernity. Through a detailed study of the daily life-eating habits, dress styles, housing, marriage and death rituals, religious practices, education, family organization-of the Hui inhabitants of Xian, the author explores the effects of a state-sponsored ideology of progress on an urban Chinese Muslim neighborhood. Author Biography Maris Boyd Gillette is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Haverford College. Table of Contents CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT Review "For Muslims in China, eating is a political act, and this book, the most detailed and comprehensive study of a Muslim community in China to date, explains why. In a society that views pork and secularism as the norm, to be a Muslim can be a challenging if not impossible endeavor. The book shows how a small minority can survive and maintain its values in the face of frequent intolerance by the dominant culture. It also translates the fascinating details of the lives of Chinese Muslims into larger modern problems facing communities across the globe." - Dru C. Gladney, University of Hawaii, Manoa "This book, the most detailed and comprehensive study of a Muslim community in China to date ... shows how a small minority can survive and maintain its values in the face of frequent intolerance by the dominant culture... Fascinating details of the lives of Chinese Muslims." - Dru C. Gladney, University of Hawaii, Manoa "This book is a welcome addition to the growing body of contemporary studies on the Huizu and will be of interest to all modern China specialists, but neither should it be overlooked by any anthropologist of sociologist with an interest int he impact of development on minority groups." - Ethnic and Racial Studies "This account of a Muslim minority community living in the western Chinese city of Xian provides a fascinating portrait of how economic developments in the past two decades are transforming Chinese society." - Asian Affairs "[Gillette] has written a first-rate book which gives readers an admirably clear portrait of the Hui in post-Mao Xian. It will provide students and scholars with an excellent and thought-provoking introduction to urban Chinese Muslim life." - Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland Long Description Between Mecca and Beijing examines how a community of urban Chinese Muslims uses consumption to position its members more favorably within the Chinese governments official paradigm for development. Residents of the old Muslim district in the ancient Chinese capital of Xian belong to an official minority (the Hui nationality) that has been classified by the state as "backward" in comparison to Chinas majority (Han) population. Though these Hui urbanites, like the vast majority of Chinese citizens, accept the assumptions about social evolution upon which such labels are based, they actively reject the official characterization of themselves as less civilized and modern than the Han majority.By selectively consuming goods and adopting fashions they regard as modern and non-Chinese--which include commodities and styles from both the West and the Muslim world--these Chinese Muslims seek to demonstrate that they are capable of modernizing without the guidance or assistance of the state. In so doing, they challenge one of the fundamental roles the Chinese Communist government has claimed for itself, that of guide and purveyor of modernity. Through a detailed study of the daily life--eating habits, dress styles, housing, marriage and death rituals, religious practices, education, family organization--of the Hui inhabitants of Xian, the author explores the effects of a state-sponsored ideology of progress on an urban Chinese Muslim neighborhood. Review Quote "This book, the most detailed and comprehensive study of a Muslim community in China to date . . . shows how a small minority can survive and maintain its values in the face of frequent intolerance by the dominant culture. . . . Fascinating details of the lives of Chinese Muslims." Details ISBN0804746850 Author Maris Boyd Gillette Short Title BETWEEN MECCA & BEIJING Pages 296 Publisher Stanford University Press Language English ISBN-10 0804746850 ISBN-13 9780804746854 Media Book Format Paperback Year 2002 Imprint Stanford University Press Subtitle Modernization and Consumption Among Urban Chinese Muslims Place of Publication Palo Alto Country of Publication United States Edition 1st Residence US DEWEY 306.308829710951 DOI 10.1604/9780804746854 UK Release Date 2002-06-25 AU Release Date 2002-06-25 NZ Release Date 2002-06-25 US Release Date 2002-06-25 Publication Date 2002-06-25 Alternative 9780804764346 Audience Undergraduate Illustrations 20 illustrations, 2 maps We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:159722063;

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