A total of 43 ethnic groups inhabit the Songliao Basin. In addition to Han, the primary group, there are also Manchu, Korean, Mongolian, Hezhe, Oroqen, Daur, Xibe, etc. All these groups have their unique characteristics in customs and cultural heritage that form varied local charms.
The Hezhes are an old ethnic group and one of the smallest in China, with a population of 4,600 across the country. They live on the “Three-river Plain" that the Songhuajiang River has formed at its downstream area together with the Heilongjiang and Wusulijiang rivers, in addition to Wanda Mountain.
The Hezhe language has no written form. Shamanism is their religion. Hezhe people have a wealth of folktales. In their long history, myths, legends, and folk songs and tales have been passed from generation to generation.
The Hezhes live mainly by hunting and fishing. They love fish, especially raw fish. This custom remains unchanged to this day. Their clothing is primarily made offish skins, and roe and deer hides.
Hezhe people boast developed pattern arts. They often embroider patterns of clouds, flowers, grass, butterflies, and geometrical designs on fish-skin or animal-hide clothes, shoes, hats, and bedding. They also carve lively, aesthetic, and delicate patterns of two-side continual- border designs, cloud-shaped designs, landscape, flowers, birds, and beasts on tableware and birch bark products.
Women even embroider beautiful patterns with color thread on their blouses, shawls, wallets, hats and trouser cuffs.
The population of the Oroqen ethnic group is about 8,200. They speak the Oroqen language, generally believe in shamanism, and worship natural things.
Most Oroqen people live in Heilongjiang Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. They are called an equestrian ethnic group. All Oroqen people, young and old, men and women, are good at riding and shooting. They have made a living by hunting in the forests of the Greater and Lesser Khingan ranges for generations.
The Oroqens used to live solely on meat and have one or two meals at random times of the day. Recently, their daily diet has started to include rice and flour-based foods, such as rice or millet gruel or porridge, plain rice or millet, cooked flour pieces, and pancakes. Bread and dumplings are also popular.
The Oroqens boast excellent carving and embroidery arts. Women make delicate vessels with birch bark and carve patterns of different styles and colors on them. Their embroidery arts are mainly presented on fur caps, fur-lined gowns, horse sacks, saddles, and other leather products, and are most beautiful on fur gloves and tobacco wallets.
The information is provided by presentation of "Songliao Basin" from China National Petroleum Corporation.
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