Elongchun Hunting and Gathering Life: Old Scenes of Northeast Style

Author: Yu Xuebin
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: Northeast, historically known as Dongbei, Guandong, Guanwai, Dong San Provinces, Dong Province, etc., according to the current administrative divisions, it includes Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang provinces, and the eastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, including Hulunbuir League, Xing'an League, Jilin League, and Chifeng City. Northeast extends from 38°43′ north latitude to 53°34′ north latitude, from 135°5′ east longitude to 115°37′ east longitude, with a north-south length of over 1,600 kilometers and an east-west width of over 1,400 kilometers. The total land area is 1.2414 million square kilometers, accounting for 12.9% of the country's total area, with a population of over 100 million. It is a large regional unit with northern characteristics formed since ancient times, commonly referred to as the Northeast.
Northeast is located at the northeastern frontier of the motherland. If the shape of China's map is compared to a rooster standing proudly, we would find that the Northeast is precisely at the "rooster's head." On this rich and beautiful land, numerous ethnic groups have lived and thrived for generations. There are high mountains, plains, rivers, and lakes here, with distinct seasons and abundant resources, making it highly suitable for human survival and development. It is the birthplace of the Manchu people, the pastures of the Mongolian people, the hunting grounds of the Ewenki people chasing animals on horseback, and the fishing grounds of the Hezhe people rowing light boats. The people of all ethnic groups who were born and raised here have created distinctive cultures based on their natural environments, making important contributions to the history of the motherland and enriching the culture of the Chinese nation. Ethnic customs are undoubtedly an important part of national culture. They are the most vibrant, lively, and spectacular part of national culture. They cover a wide range of social life; they have diverse styles and rich colors; they are profound and full of wisdom. If you want to understand Northeast ethnic culture and experience Northeast customs, then follow Mr. Yu Xuebin's "Old Scenes of Northeast Customs" to explore Northeast, and together feel the deep sense of hometown and ethnic affection, the wisdom and profound culture of all ethnic groups, the harmony between nature and humanity, the marvels of nature, and the infinite creativity of humanity—"One land nurtures its people." The unique geographical environment of Northeast has nurtured the people of all ethnic groups in Northeast, shaping their distinctive national character and habits. The ethnic groups in Northeast have created cultures with unique regional characteristics in the long course of history, which have made important contributions to the development of the Chinese nation. For example, the Manchu cheongsam has become a symbol of Chinese women, and the martial spirit and expertise in horseback riding, as well as the brave and strong character of the ethnic groups in Northeast, have played important roles in shaping the spirit of the Chinese nation, as well as in the unification and territorial integrity of the motherland. It is said, "Different customs exist even within five miles, and different customs within ten miles." Northeast, as a relatively independent regional concept, has many commonalities in ethnic culture, but the customs of ethnic groups living in different regions also differ. Among the 56 ethnic groups in China, nearly 50 are in Northeast, including 11 ethnic groups such as Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Korean, Daur, Ewenki, Hezhe, Xibe, and Kyrghyz, who have lived there for generations. They belong to different ethnic groups, are distributed in different regions of Northeast, engage in different production activities, and have many differences in language and culture, as well as customs. According to the classification of cultural types in anthropology, Northeast has three major cultural types: agricultural culture represented by the Han and Manchu, pastoral culture represented by the Mongolian, and hunting culture represented by the Ewenki and Hezhe. It can be said that all cultural types before the industrial era existed in Northeast. Therefore, Northeast ethnic customs exhibit a rich variety and vibrant colors.
It is said, "When entering a country, inquire about its prohibitions; when entering a village, inquire about its customs." China has had a tradition of collecting folk customs since ancient times, and folk customs have been the foundation for governing the country in every dynasty. In the contemporary era, our party also attaches great importance to the collection and organization of folk culture, elevating it to a high political level. China is a multi-ethnic country composed of 56 ethnic groups. Each ethnic group has differences in food, clothing, housing, transportation, marriage, funerals, social structure, and religious beliefs, among other aspects, with a thousand variations and styles. Understanding and mastering these customs is of great significance for strengthening ethnic unity and enhancing ethnic confidence and pride.
Now, our country has successfully joined the WTO and further integrated into the global family. We must understand the world while also letting the world understand us. We must not only understand our present but also our past, understanding the contributions of the Chinese nation to world culture; we must not only understand our modernity but also our tradition, as traditional culture is the root of our nation. It is said, "What is ethnic is also global." If the Chinese nation wants to establish its position in the world, it must not only learn advanced science and technology and concepts from the West but also promote the essence of its own traditional culture, refining and selecting, so that China can ensure the advancement of its culture while preserving its roots; it can keep pace with global development while maintaining its ethnic identity. China must maintain its identity when moving towards the world. It is said, "The more ethnic, the more global." When Mr. Yu Xuebin's "Old Scenes of Northeast Customs" was published, he asked me to write a preface. I feel that the ethnic groups selected in this series of books are representative and typical, covering almost all types of Northeast ethnic culture, making it a rare book for understanding and recognizing Northeast. What is particularly precious is that this series of books adheres to China's fine tradition of "left maps and right history," with rich illustrations and text, making it vivid and interesting. This is a reproduction of past ethnic life, a replay of stories that faintly linger in people's memories. We record these rich cultures for three reasons: first, preservation—when a culture is extinct or gradually disappearing, preservation and recording become particularly important; second, commemoration—commemorating the journey our nation has taken; third, promotion—promoting the excellent culture of our nation, which is our contribution to human history.
Northeast, historically known as Dongbei, Guandong, Guanwai, Dong San Provinces, Dong Province, etc., according to the current administrative divisions, it includes Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang provinces, and the eastern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, including Hulunbuir League, Xing'an League, Jilin League, and Chifeng City. Northeast extends from 38°43′ north latitude to 53°34′ north latitude, from 135°5′ east longitude to 115°37′ east longitude, with a north-south length of over 1,600 kilometers and an east-west width of over 1,400 kilometers. The total land area is 1.2414 million square kilometers, accounting for 12.9% of the country's total area, with a population of over 100 million. It is a large regional unit with northern characteristics formed since ancient times, commonly referred to as the Northeast.
Northeast is located at the northeastern frontier of the motherland. If the shape of China's map is compared to a rooster standing proudly, we would find that the Northeast is precisely at the "rooster's head." On this rich and beautiful land, numerous ethnic groups have lived and thrived for generations. There are high mountains, plains, rivers, and lakes here, with distinct seasons and abundant resources, making it highly suitable for human survival and development. It is the birthplace of the Manchu people, the pastures of the Mongolian people, the hunting grounds of the Ewenki people chasing animals on horseback, and the fishing grounds of the Hezhe people rowing light boats. The people of all ethnic groups who were born and raised here have created distinctive cultures based on their natural environments, making important contributions to the history of the motherland and enriching the culture of the Chinese nation. Ethnic customs are undoubtedly an important part of national culture. They are the most vibrant, lively, and spectacular part of national culture. They cover a wide range of social life; they have diverse styles and rich colors; they are profound and full of wisdom. If you want to understand Northeast ethnic culture and experience Northeast customs, then follow Mr. Yu Xuebin's "Old Scenes of Northeast Customs" to explore Northeast, and together feel the deep sense of hometown and ethnic affection, the wisdom and profound culture of all ethnic groups, the harmony between nature and humanity, the marvels of nature, and the infinite creativity of humanity—"One land nurtures its people." The unique geographical environment of Northeast has nurtured the people of all ethnic groups in Northeast, shaping their distinctive national character and habits. The ethnic groups in Northeast have created cultures with unique regional characteristics in the long course of history, which have made important contributions to the development of the Chinese nation. For example, the Manchu cheongsam has become a symbol of Chinese women, and the martial spirit and expertise in horseback riding, as well as the brave and strong character of the ethnic groups in Northeast, have played important roles in shaping the spirit of the Chinese nation, as well as in the unification and territorial integrity of the motherland. It is said, "Different customs exist even within five miles, and different customs within ten miles." Northeast, as a relatively independent regional concept, has many commonalities in ethnic culture, but the customs of ethnic groups living in different regions also differ. Among the 56 ethnic groups in China, nearly 50 are in Northeast, including 11 ethnic groups such as Han, Manchu, Mongolian, Hui, Korean, Daur, Ewenki, Hezhe, Xibe, and Kyrghyz, who have lived there for generations. They belong to different ethnic groups, are distributed in different regions of Northeast, engage in different production activities, and have many differences in language and culture, as well as customs. According to the classification of cultural types in anthropology, Northeast has three major cultural types: agricultural culture represented by the Han and Manchu, pastoral culture represented by the Mongolian, and hunting culture represented by the Ewenki and Hezhe. It can be said that all cultural types before the industrial era existed in Northeast. Therefore, Northeast ethnic customs exhibit a rich variety and vibrant colors.