Heishiwa Mosque in Zhaotong City

History and Background:

• The ancestors of the Hui people in Heishiao originally came from the Yangwanqiao area of Weining County, Guizhou Province. During the late Ming Dynasty, they migrated first to Qinggangling, then to Daying Village, and eventually settled in Heishiao.
• The mosque was initially built in Daying Village before the Southwest Hui Uprising during the Xianfeng and Tongzhi periods of the Qing Dynasty.
• After the uprising, the Sa clan leader donated land and materials with the support of the local Muslim community. Under the supervision of Ma Yaolong, the mosque was rebuilt in Heishiao during the early years of Emperor Guangxu’s reign.

Structure and Size:

• The prayer hall of the Heishiao Mosque is constructed in a traditional Chinese classical style, covering an area of 150 square meters.
• The total building area within the mosque premises is over 300 square meters.

Significance:

• Due to population growth, seven surrounding villages (Yujiao, Daying, Huilongba, etc.) built their own mosques, making Heishiao Mosque the “Central Mosque.”
• The mosque established the “Two Towns and Seven Mosques Muslim Committee,” with 75 mullahs.
• The local community consists of 210 households and over 1,000 people, all of whom are Hui Muslims and adhere to the Ikhwan (Ihwani) school.

Historical Development

Background:

• The Hui people of Heishiao are originally from the Yangwanqiao area in Weining County, Guizhou Province. They migrated during the late Ming Dynasty.

Initial Construction:

• The mosque was originally built in Daying Village before the Southwest Hui Uprising during the Qing Dynasty.

Reconstruction:

• Following the Southwest Hui Uprising, the Sa clan leader donated land and materials with the support of the Muslim community. The mosque was rebuilt under the supervision of Ma Yaolong during the early Guangxu period.

Architectural Features

• Prayer Hall: The prayer hall is designed in a traditional Chinese classical style, occupying 150 square meters.
• Total Area: The mosque’s total building area exceeds 300 square meters.

Location and Accessibility

• Geography: The Heishiao Mosque is situated in Qinggangling Hui and Yi Autonomous Township, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, China.
• Transportation: The mosque is accessible by local transportation within the township.

The Heishiao Mosque is not only a place of worship but also a historical landmark that reflects the cultural and architectural heritage of the Hui Muslim community in Yunnan Province.