A coherent self: Narrating multiple identities in Han-Hui-Muslim intermarriage

Endogamy requirement, together with differences in life styles between nonreligious Han group and Hui-Muslims, cause Han-Hui intermarriage unwelcomed both in Han and Hui families in China. Changes brought by marriage make these Han women feel an identity crisis of being bi-marginalized by both Han and Hui families. Narratives of 32 Han-married-Hui women are analyzed with the help of autobiographical reasoning, examining how they relate the past to the present in their life stories to bridge personal change and render personal identity continuous. It is found that they rely on something stable, like personal character, personal capability, or certain resources (kids, husbands, domestic service), to diminish the change brought by the marriage and obtain self-continuity. During this process, four new, hybrid identities are developed: Hui-Muslim identity, Han-Muslim identity, Han-Half-Muslim identity, and Han-Non-Muslim identity. Self-identification approves the application of the mechanisms, while applying the mechanisms confirms the new identities. The dynamic interplay between the two help the women resist societal and family marginalization, and maintain 'coherent self' as well as align with Chinese family culture.