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Reveals the rich, untold world of Hui Muslim storytelling—where Chinese tradition and Islamic imagination meet.
Across the landscapes of imperial China and the spiritual traditions of Islam, Mythology and Folklore of the Hui, a Muslim Chinese People opens a rare window into the imaginative world of one of China's most culturally distinctive communities. Collected and translated by Shujiang Li and Karl W. Luckert, this landmark work brings together an extraordinary corpus of Hui oral tradition—stories of prophets and ancestors, culture heroes and tricksters, love and rebellion, animals and the unseen world.
From creation tales of Adan and Haowa to the adventures of Abudu and the moral tensions of life under empire, these narratives reveal a vibrant synthesis of Islamic belief and Chinese cultural imagination. Heroic quests, satirical village tales, and sacred folklore illuminate how the Hui people have preserved identity, negotiated faith, and expressed creativity across centuries.
Richly organized into thematic cycles, the collection spans mythology, social critique, religious encounter, and family life—offering both scholars and general readers an unparalleled view into a living storytelling tradition.
"Not only does this amazing corpus contribute much to our understanding of the tremendous cultural and religious variety found within both Chinese and Islamic societies, but it challenges our conceptions and compartmentalizations of each." — Dru C. Gladney, University of Southern California
"There is no comparable study of the Hui in a Western language. It will help break down the monolithic image we still have of China by bringing to light the vibrant cultural world of a minority people." — Gary L. Ebersole, The University of Chicago
Li Shujiang is Vice President of the University of Ningxia and Director of its Research Center for Hui Nationality Literature. He is the author of Hui Folk Stories; A Historical Outline of Hui Folk Literature; and Hui Culture and Literature; and co-editor of the Encyclopedia of the Chinese Hui. Karl W. Luckert is Professor of History of Religions at Southwest Missouri State University. He is the author of Egyptian Light and Hebrew Fire: Theological and Philosophical Roots of Christendom in Evolutionary Perspective, also published by SUNY Press.
Preface
Introduction
Photographic Glimpses of Hui Life
1. The First Ancestors of Hui Muslims
Adan and Haowa—First Version
Adan and Haowa—Second Version
Adan and Haierma—Third Version
2. Muhammad and His Companions
Origin of the Jujube Dates
To Earn One's Livelihood
Potato Story
The Mule and the Horse
The Festival of Ascent
The Ashula Meal
3. The Quests of Culture Heroes and Saviors
Adang Brings Fire
Sai Dianchi and the Dragons
Lilang Subdues the Dragon
The Sun Advises
Horse Brother the Cultivator
The Raising of Bogota Mountain
Luguma Reverts to Hunting
Breeding the Yanqi Horse
The Phoenix and Her City
The Golden Pheasant
Xueda and Yinlin
Duoer Tea
Rhinoceros Cave
Naxigaer
The Wonderful Doctor Ma Ahong
4. Glimpses of Paradise and Wealth
The Straw Rope Valley
In Search of the Golden Sparrow
The Serpent Grandfather's Treasure Chest
About Mibo Mountain
The Water Pearl
Water Treasure
The Wind-quieting Needle
The Wind-quieting Pearl
The Osmanthus Tree on the Moon
5. Islam and Other Religions
Why Has the Phoenix Gone?
Abudu and the Devil
The Devil Troubles and Oil Store
The Dragon Tablet
The Dragon Dish
The Story of Winding River
Why the Teapots are Hung Tilted
Lotus Pedestals in the Mosque
A Temple Appeared from Nowhere
The North Pagoda
Tomb of an Unknown Ahong at Twenty-Li Place
Ahong Shanbaba and the Hui Graveyard
6. Muslims Under the Emperor
The Number One Scholar Fir Trees
Personal Visit at Niujie Street
Muslims, Peace and Happiness Forever!
Bai Shuyu and His Mutton Fries
The Golden Foot Mosque
7. Origins of the Hui Nationality
Wan Gars
Hui Beginnings
The Hui People of Lingzhou
The Origin of the Hui People
Why do the Hui People "Chase Horse" at Weddings?
Hui and Han Are Relatives
Do Not Listen to the Hui
8. Hui Leaders With and Against the Empire
Young Sanbao Helps Capture a Corrupt Official
Eunuch Sanbao at the Welcoming Pavilion
Du Wensiu's Rebellion
Rhymed Couplets
Du Wenxiu Becomes Commander
Crossing the Yang River
Du Wenxiu Executes a Close Official
The Peacock Gallbladder
9. Family Affairs
Musa
Yinbolaxi
The Stone Monkey
The Ugly Mother
The Origin of the Jiaozi Alley
An Evil Woman
Colorful Stones
Four Sons of Aisima
Nuha and Suoli
A Small Wooden Bowl
A Clever Wife
10. Love and Courtship
Not to Die Until One Sees Huang He
The Black Moss Girl
Mansuer
The Zither Master Hasang
Asking Permission
The Fifth Daughter
Yaya and the Golden Sparrow
11. Poor and Rich—Good and Bad
Alifu and Erbudu
Saierdong's Stick
A Clever Mania
To Borrow Sheep
The Treasure Pan
Gold Could Not Buy
Zhang Sanwa
The Masons' Wise Revenge
Carrying Mud
Little Kalimu
The Fairy Maiden's Descent
12. Social Satire
Three Gold Bricks
What Do They Respect?
A Magistrate Judges a Case
The Treasure Mirror
Terrible Worms
13. Tricksters and Wise Guys
Abudu Goes Fishing
Abudu Digs for Gold
Abudu Washes Mud Bricks
Abudu Apologizes
Abudu Gives Alms
Suoli's Story
Sailimai Asks the Way
Sailimai Goes to an Examination
Sailimai's Four Precious Things
Yimamu Questions a Stone
Yimamu Examines a Corpse
Yimamu Questions a Hen
The Donkey Knows Its Way
Pushing the Millstone
A Hui Fool
14. Stories About Animals
The Tiger and the Hare
The Hare and the Dog
Why Dogs Bark at Cats
The Monkey and the Turtle
The Leaking Pot
Why Swallows are Befriended with Humankind
The Ahong Who Saved a Snake
Why People Do Not Understand Animals
A Soldier Understood the Skylarks
Bibliography
Index