Born in 1951 in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic, Dungan ethnographer and writer Ali Dzhon is celebrated for his insights into the culture and history of the Dungan people, Sinophone Muslims of Central Asia. This collection presents, for the first time in English, a selection of Dzhon's poems and short stories written in Russian from 1969 to 2021, spanning both Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Through his literary works, Dzhon reflects on his surroundings, the fate of his people, and the essence of life, offering nuanced expressions of love, nature, and relationships. Organized into nine thematic chapters, the collection features 103 poems that are witty, colorful, and profound, providing rare insights into Dungan cultural life. Dzhon’s poignant memories of the 19th-century Dungan Revolt, his childhood in Soviet Dungan villages, and the contemporary challenges faced by his community in post-Soviet Central Asia are vividly portrayed. The final chapter includes four compelling short stories that highlight Dzhon's storytelling prowess and explore the human condition. The volume also contains a foreword by Dungan poet Iskhar Shisyr, an introduction, footnotes, an index, a map, and photographs, making it a valuable resource for those interested in Dungan literature, history, and culture.
