MUSLIMS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA, 1700 TO 1930伊斯蘭教在珠三角
This article examines the presence and socio-economic activities of Muslim communities and "Moorish" traders in the Pearl River Delta from 1700 to 1930. While the early history of Islam in China is well-documented, the authors address a significant historiographical gap regarding the Qing dynasty, d...
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| Published in: | Review of Culture |
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| Format: | Articles |
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Instituto Cultural de Macau
April 2004
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| Online Access: | https://www.icm.gov.mo/rc/viewer/pdfViewerParts/40010/3853 |
| Summary: | This article examines the presence and socio-economic activities of Muslim communities and "Moorish" traders in the Pearl River Delta from 1700 to 1930. While the early history of Islam in China is well-documented, the authors address a significant historiographical gap regarding the Qing dynasty, during which traditional Portuguese and Chinese records offer limited information. By utilizing alternative European maritime archives—specifically French and English ship logs—the study reconstructs the vital role played by Indian Muslim merchants and "Lascars" (sailors) from ports such as Surat and the Malabar Coast in the regional trade networks of Canton and Macao.
The authors analyze the terminological complexities of the era, distinguishing between religious identity and the contemporary label "Moors," used by Europeans to categorize non-Chinese, non-European maritime actors. The findings highlight that despite being a minority, these groups were integral to the delta’s maritime economy, often preferred over European crews for their cost-efficiency and regional expertise. By tracking the evolution of these contacts into the early 20th century, the article demonstrates how maritime trade facilitated the establishment of permanent Muslim settlements, contributing to the cosmopolitan cultural fabric of Macao and the broader Pearl River Delta. This research underscores the continuity of the Muslim presence as a persistent, though often overlooked, element of South China’s social history. |
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| ISSN: | 1682-1106 |