Manchu people

Manchu people
source
Group	Manchu people
Native name	ᠮᠠᠨᠵᡠ
Native name lang	mnc
Population	Approximately 10.4 million (2010 census)
Region1	China
Pop1	Primarily in Liaoning, also Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Beijing
Languages	Mandarin Chinese, Manchu language
Religions	Shamanism, Buddhism, Chinese folk religion
Related groups	Other Tungusic peoples (e.g., Sibe, Evenks)

Manchu people. The Manchu are a Tungusic ethnic group and the former rulers of China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing dynasty. Originating from the region of Manchuria, they established a vast multi-ethnic empire that lasted from 1644 to 1912. Today, they are one of the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in the People's Republic of China, with a population concentrated in northeastern provinces like Liaoning.

History

The ancestors of the Manchu, known as the Jurchen people, established the Jin dynasty which ruled northern China. Following the collapse of the Yuan dynasty, the Jurchen lived under the Ming dynasty in various tribes. In the late 16th century, the chieftain Nurhaci began unifying these tribes, creating the Later Jin state and the foundational Eight Banners military-social system. His son, Hong Taiji, proclaimed the new ethnic name "Manchu" in 1635 and renamed the dynasty to Qing in 1636. Under leaders like the Shunzhi Emperor and the Kangxi Emperor, the Manchu conquered Beijing in 1644 after the fall of the Ming dynasty, defeating rivals like Li Zicheng and the Southern Ming resistance. The dynasty reached its zenith during the High Qing era, encompassing territories like Xinjiang and Tibet, but faced severe challenges in the 19th century from events like the Opium Wars and the Taiping Rebellion. The dynasty was ultimately overthrown during the Xinhai Revolution, leading to the establishment of the Republic of China.

Language

The Manchu language belongs to the southern Tungusic branch of the Altaic family and uses a vertical script derived from the Mongolian script. It was the official language of the Qing dynasty alongside Mandarin Chinese, used in documents like the Qing legal codes and diplomatic correspondence with powers like Russia. However, widespread adoption of Mandarin by the banner population led to severe decline. Revitalization efforts are supported by institutions like the Minzu University of China and among the closely related Sibe people in Xinjiang, who speak a modern variant. Important historical texts include the Manchu Veritable Records and translations of classics like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Culture

Traditional Manchu culture is a synthesis of steppe traditions and influences from Han Chinese and Mongolian cultures. Key elements include Manchu shamanism, which involves rituals for deities like Abkai Enduri (Heavenly God), and later adherence to Tibetan Buddhism. Distinctive attire included the cheongsam (qipao) for women and horse-hoof cuffed sleeves on the changshan. Culinary contributions are seen in dishes like sachima and the practice of Manchu Han Imperial Feast. The art of Manchu wrestling (Buku) and archery were highly valued martial skills. Literary achievements include the poetry of Nalan Xingde and the monumental Qianlong-era compilation, the Siku Quanshu. Architectural influence is evident in buildings like the Mukden Palace in Shenyang.

Society

The core of traditional Manchu society was the Eight Banners system, a hereditary military caste that organized populations into banners like the Plain Yellow Banner. Banner members were entitled to stipends and land, living in garrison communities in cities like Beijing and Xi'an. Social stratification existed between the imperial Aisin Gioro clan, other Manchu nobles, common bannermen, and bondservants. Kinship was patrilineal, with clans recording genealogy in jade registers. While initially maintaining customs like foot binding prohibition, society gradually acculturated, adopting Chinese language and Confucian norms, especially among the elite during reigns of emperors like the Qianlong Emperor. This process was a focus of policies by officials like Yongzheng.

Modern era

Following the fall of the Qing dynasty, many Manchu faced discrimination and poverty, often concealing their identity. The establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 granted them official minority status. Today, significant populations reside in cities like Shenyang, Harbin, and Beijing, with autonomous areas like the Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County. Cultural revival movements promote language, festivals like the Jade-Burning Festival, and traditional arts. Notable contemporary figures include writer Lao She, historian Jin Qicong, and celebrities like Lang Lang. They are represented in political bodies like the National People's Congress and academic studies continue at centers like the Heilongjiang Academy of Social Sciences.

Category:Manchu people Category:Ethnic groups in China Category:Tungusic peoples