Educational Journeys, Struggles and Ethnic Identity: The Impact of State Schooling on Muslim Hui in Rural China

Description

This book examines how state schooling in China has economically, culturally, and ideologically had an impact on and gradually transformed a traditional Muslim Hui village in rural Northwestern China. By discussing the interpretation and appropriation of dominant educational discourse of “quality” in the rural context, it illustrates the dichotomies of poverty and prosperity, civility and uncivility, and religiosity and secularity as they are perceived and understood by teachers, parents and students. Based on an original ethnographic research conducted in a secondary school, it further touches upon Muslim Hui students’ negotiations of filial, rural, and ethnoreligious identities when they struggle to seek a life of their own in the journey to prosperity. The book introduces audiences to multiple ways in which Muslim Hui students construct and negotiate identities through state schooling, especially the educational heterogeneity experienced by various Muslim youth. It also captures the changing rural-urban dynamic as state schooling continues to guide local formal educational activities as well as create tensions and confusions for both teachers and parents. Most importantly, the book challenges stereotypes about Muslim Hui students in Northwest China being assimilated into the mainstream culture by demonstrating how local Muslims live, study, pray, and fulfil the five pillars of Islam. It will be highly relevant to students and researchers in the fields of education, anthropology, sociology, and religious studies. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Introduction to Education for Rural Muslim Hui (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 1-30 Education for Ethnic Minorities in China: Policies and Practices (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 31-47 Ethnicity, Ethnic Identity, and State Schooling for Ethnic Minorities (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 49-68 Discipline as Teaching: Construction of an Educated Identity (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 69-107 From Aspiration to Participation: Confusions and Struggles in a Time of Transition (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 109-127 Negotiating State Schooling: An Unpredictable Educational Journey to Prosperity (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 129-173 Education for Muslim Hui Youth at a Crossroads (Xinyi Wu)....Pages 175-185 Back Matter ....Pages 187-211