Drums and Devotion: celebrating Ramadan in China’s Muslim communities

Friday 20 - 16:30

By: Sahili Aya

Drums and Devotion: celebrating Ramadan in China’s Muslim communities

As evening descends on Najiaying, a small town in southern China’s Yunnan province, the rhythmic beating of drums signals the start of Ramadan. Streets fill with the sounds of tradition as families make their way to the local mosque to pray and share meals.

Children gather alongside elders while shopkeepers pause their routines, creating a unique atmosphere that blends spirituality with festivity. Just a few steps away, the Ramadan market comes alive, filling the air with the aromas of grilled meats, noodles, pastries, and sweet milk tea.

For the town’s roughly 8,000 Muslims, Ramadan is both a sacred and social event. Preparations begin days in advance, with families shopping for special ingredients, purchasing new clothes, and planning communal meals.

Across China—home to around 25 million Muslims, mainly from Hui and Uyghur communities—traditional dishes vary by region. In Najiaying, rice noodles and beef-based meals are staples during the fasting month.

“This year is special because Ramadan coincides with Chinese New Year,” said local social entrepreneur Ma Erzhao Yusuf. Millions travel to reunite with family during the New Year holiday, allowing many to observe the fast with loved ones.

A festive bazaar

The Ramadan market is the heart of Najiaying’s celebrations. Vendors offer barbecued meats, noodles, and pastries, attracting both locals and visitors from other towns. “It feels like a festival,” Ma said, noting that the bazaar opens several days before Ramadan and remains lively for about a week after the month ends.

Shared meals and daily life

Daily routines shift during Ramadan. Pre-dawn meals, known as suhoor, often feature rice noodles, a local favorite for their ease of digestion. At sunset, families gather to break the fast, with many mosques organizing communal iftar meals.

Children often receive sweets before prayers, adding a sense of joy to the holy month. Traditional dishes vary widely across China, from fried pastries and wheat soups in Qinghai to hand-held lamb and chili-flavored noodles in Yunnan.

Community spirit

Ramadan in China emphasizes community, generosity, and shared memories. Families invite relatives and friends to meals, while mosques serve as lively centers of social life. As the month concludes, celebrations for Eid al-Fitr begin, with visits to elders, gifts for children, and festive gatherings.

For many, Ramadan is more than fasting—it embodies connection, tradition, and joy.