¡¡¡¡Ethnic groups

    The history of this frontier region has a close connection with minority ethnic groups.

    Sushen, Donghu and Huimo were ancient ethnic groups living along the Heilong River during the reign of Emperor Shun (circa 2,000 BC).

    Records show that the Sushen ethnic group had offered a bow to Emperor Shun.

    The Sushen were called Yilou in the Han Dynasty (206 BC -AD 220), Wuji during the Wei (AD 220-265) and Jin (AD 265-420) dynasties, Mohe in the Sui (AD 581-618) and Tang (AD 618-907) dynasties, Nvzhen in the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) and Manzhou during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

    The famous Louyi Culture was discovered in the province, comprised of the ruins of Fenglin ancient city, Xinglong Mountain and Changsheng. Among them, Fenglin provides a typical relic of Louyi life.

    Situated in Youyi County, the site of the ancient city is named after Fenglin Village nearby.

    Its outer wall is roughly 6,330 meters long, while the inner city covers an estimated total area of 1.14 million square meters and is divided into nine sections. The biggest semi-underground palace in China is located there.

    Going by the scale of the city ruins and cultural relics found there, its population is estimated to have been about 100,000 and the ancient city is also thought to have functioned as a capital then.

    To the south of the ancient city and across a river is another historical site of ancient city ruins on a mountainside. On top of the city, eight huge holes in the earth were found aligned with the Big Dipper and the pole star. A stone altar, 19 meters long and 14 meters wide, lay between the holes, corresponding to a place between the Big Dipper and the pole star.

    The location of the Big Dipper Altar is strong evidence to affirm Fenglin ancient city's status as a capital since, according to a common practice in the Han Dynasty, a palace would be located to the north of a place of worship.

    The heritage findings show that an ancient civilization flourished in the region of Heilongjiang Province more than 1,700 years ago, experts say.

    Through the years, as the minority ethnic groups established regimes in the north or even across the country, the rich cultures they created blended into the Chinese civilization.

    There are at present 51 minority ethnic groups in Heilongjiang Province, including the Manchu, the Korean, the Mongol, the Hui, the Daur, the Ewenki, the Oroqen, the Kirgiz, the Xibe and the Hezhen minorities.

    Some of the ethnic groups still make a living by hunting and fishing.

    Catching fish through a hole in a frozen lake, riding dog-pulled sleds, making lanterns and sculptures out of ice and shaman religious ceremonies are practices which have survived the ravages of time.

    Preserved ethnic celebrations with a strong local flavor attract tourists from around the world to the region.

    The "Local Cultures of Heilongjiang" book of the series highlights the traditional customs and cultures of the local ethnic groups.

    Along with the historical sites and preserved customs, legends passed down from generation to generation are another means of recording the past and the "Legends of Heilongjiang" refers to 65 pieces of such oral literature.