With its 66,400 sq km, Ningxia makes up only 0.69 percent of China's territory. Composed of a plain that is crossed by the Huanghe River and cradled by three deserts in the north and arid mountains in the south, Ningxia is one of the poorest places in the country. Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region was established in 1958. Its culture and history are strongly influenced by Islam which is practiced by the Hui people, the descendants of Central Asian, Persian, and Arabic peoples, making this autonomous region a land rich in color and variety. Among the persons introduced in this book, at least seven later became bearers of the Olympic Torch in Ningxia. They include the writer Zhang Xianliang, the desert-greening workers Wang Youde and Bai Chunlan, the actress Liu Ping, the Ningxiahong winery president Zhang Jinshan, the president of a residential community committee Sun Xianmei, and the theater master and pioneer Wang Zhihong.
About the author After a teaching career in Canada, where she was born, Lisa
Carducci found China to be the most favourable place for her writing.
Author of more than 40 books and 2,000 articles, she aims to improve,
year after year, her knowledge of the Chinese culture's many diverse
features. However, this experience of China would not make sense to
her if she did not share it with "those who don't have the chance to
discover it on the ground". In 2001, Lisa Carducci was granted the
Friendship Award of the People's Re- public of China, and, in 2005,
permanent residence status. From the same author, in the same
collection: Ces gens merveilleux du Xinjiang ISBN 978-7-119-05179-6
These Wonderful People of Xinjiang ISBN 978-7-119-05180-2 Ces gens merveilleux du Guangxi (to be published) These Wonderful People of Guangxi (to be published)
Table of Contents
Introduction The Xixia Du Licheng, a Perfect Faithfulness Zhang Xianliang, 2 2 Years of Suffering The West China Hollywood Li Fanwen, Researching a Mystery Ningxia, Small and Hnknown Wang Youde and the Fight Against the Desert Yinchuan, the Silver Earth City Pan Zipei and Min Xiangye: Ningxia by Choice Helanshan: the Rock Art and Other Pleasures Dr. Li ]ichun, Between Women Who Are the Hui? Najiahu, a Typically Hui Village A New and Extraordinary Museum Li Hongyi, Doubly Autodidact Cai Xiaoqin, a Capable Woman Zhang Qidu, Preserving Culture A Distant Past Bao ]ingui: Islam in Ningxia, a Model for the World Religion in Ningxia Four Students Talk About University Life Wang Zhihong, Theater for All Liu Ping and the Qinqiang Sun Xianmei and Social Harmony Zhou Jiang, Optimist in Adversity Yu Xiulan, the Voice of Hui Women Zhuang Zhongzhuan, an Unforgettable Experience Marvelous Tongxin Once More Xu Zhigang, Different Vision of a Same Destiny Breathtaking Landscapes Between Haiyuan and Xiji Attending a Hui Wedding Ma Putao's Nimble Fingers Zhang Wenhua and Islamic Food Processing Zhang Kezhi and the Fruit of Utopia Zhang Jinshan, from the Desert to the Glass Bai Chunlan - When Hunger Gives Courage Coal Cashmere Mao Qiang, from Teacher to Restaurateur Tourism, One of the Major Industries Man-made Lakes in Shizuishan Conclusion
