THE PEASANT CONDITION IN XINJIANG

This article explores Uighur peasants' perceptions of their own positi on in the reform period in Xinjiang province, Northwest China, which r emain predicated on their obligations towards the state as landlord. D espite the emphasis on 'market economy', the legacy of the Maoist peri od continues to impose constraints upon households - perhaps more in t his remote region, dominated by ethnic minorities, than has been repor ted in other parts of China in recent decades. The article examines va rious channels of state control, the agents of this control, and the s anctions enforced. It also argues that some concepts of the secular au thorities converge in peasants' perceptions with a traditional religio us world view. However secular power is resented and resisted in vario us 'everyday' strategies.