Old Beijing and Manchu

Author: Aisin Gioro Yingsheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Beijing was not originally the homeland of the Manchu people. The Manchu were originally indigenous inhabitants of the White Mountains and Black Waters. Due to a certain (accidental historical opportunity) in the early Qing Dynasty, a large number of Manchus migrated into the interior and centered their activities around Beijing. The scale of their activities was immense, their reach vast, their influence powerful, their duration long, their penetration deep, and their impact pervasive—unparalleled in rarity. Over two hundred years of Manchu activities in Beijing have deeply permeated the cultural cells, leaving no trace and often going unnoticed in daily life. However, if one delves into it with careful attention, one would be astonished at the extent of their influence, making it a worthy field of study.
In the language of old Beijing, every utterance often includes Manchu words. Over two-thirds of the proverbs in old Beijing's folk sayings originate from Manchu production and daily life. In the customs of old Beijing, influences from the Manchu are countless. Everything related to old Beijing—clothing, food, housing, transportation, sports, entertainment, theater, folk arts, weddings, celebrations, birthdays, festivals, flowers, birds, insects, and countless objects and items—has strong ties to the Manchu. Some were brought from the White Mountains and Black Waters, while others were created and developed in the Beijing area. Some have retained their original Manchu form, while others are Manchu-Han hybrids formed after entering the interior and combining with Han styles. This book explores all these aspects.
Beijing was not originally the homeland of the Manchu people. The Manchu were originally indigenous inhabitants of the White Mountains and Black Waters. Due to a certain accidental historical opportunity in the early Qing Dynasty, a large number of Manchus migrated into the interior and centered their activities around Beijing. The scale of their activities was immense, their reach vast, their influence powerful, their duration long, their penetration deep, and their impact pervasive—unparalleled in rarity. Over two hundred years of Manchu activities in Beijing have deeply permeated the cultural cells, leaving no trace and often going unnoticed in daily life. However, if one delves into it with careful attention, one would be astonished at the extent of their influence, making it a worthy field of study.
In the language of old Beijing, every utterance often includes Manchu words. Over two-thirds of the proverbs in old Beijing's folk sayings originate from Manchu production and daily life. In the customs of old Beijing, influences from the Manchu are countless. Everything related to old Beijing—clothing, food, housing, transportation, sports, entertainment, theater, folk arts, weddings, celebrations, birthdays, festivals, flowers, birds, insects, and countless objects and items—has strong ties to the Manchu. Some were brought from the White Mountains and Black Waters, while others were created and developed in the Beijing area. Some have retained their original Manchu form, while others are Manchu-Han hybrids formed after entering the interior and combining with Han styles. This book explores all these aspects.