Wei Yukun and Xiao Mei Linxia, which lies in the central part of Gansu Province in China, is a city filled with all kinds of sounds. While some are typical of Chinese towns, others are unique to this place. As… Read More ›
Multimedia 
A pious toddler
This video of a precocious and adorable three year old Uyghur girl was circulating transnational Uyghur social media networks in February 2014. The girl, demurely clad in a black headscarf, responds to her mother’s prompts that Allah is one, Allah… Read More ›
Internet rumours and the changing Uyghur religious soundscape: the case of the Snake-Monkey Woman
Rachel Harris (SOAS, University of London) Uyghur woman in Urumchi wearing ‘Arab-style dress’ (courtesy of Aziz Isa) The Uyghur area of Ürümchi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, has undergone a striking transformation over the past few years. It is… Read More ›
Islamic Sound Map of China
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Al-Rahman
Recorded by: Rachel Harris and Aziz Isa Place: Shahyar county, Aqsu prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Date: August 2009 A Uyghur qushnach ritual specialist recites part of Surah Al-Rahman (The Beneficent, Q55:1-13) from the Qur’an. The recitation comes at the… Read More ›
Kashgar Shadiyanisi (Sama music and dance)
Performed by: Memet Tokhti and apprentices Place: Kashgar city, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Recorded by: Rachel Harris and Aziz Isa Date: August 2006 One of a series of pieces performed on the naghra (paired kettle drums) and sunay (shawm)… Read More ›
Subhan’Allāh
Place: Shahyar county, Aqsu prefecture, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Date: August 2009 Recorded by: Rachel Harris and Aziz Isa Pious Uyghur village women, led by ritual specialists called qushnach, recite a zikr: Subhan’Allāh wa bihamdihi, subhan’Allāh il adhīm (Glory to Allah and praise… Read More ›