Deep in China, a Poor and Pious Muslim Enclave

[Orrin_73]

An interesting article about a forgotten minority in china. They live in central China and do not speak chinese.

The geographic isolation has helped preserve an Islamic culture, as well as an ancient language, but it has also separated the Dongxiang people from the prosperity lifting other parts of China. The Dongxiang, one of China's 56 officially recognized ethnic minorities, are now among China's poorest and most illiterate people.

Dongxiang ancestors were Mongol soldiers. But he concluded that many others were a diverse group of Middle Eastern and Central Asian craftsmen conscripted into the Mongol army during Khan's famed western campaign.


Deep in China, a Poor and Pious Muslim Enclave