Dawei and Eagle Hunting of Daur Ethnic Group

Traditional Hunting Culture of the Daur Ethnic Group

For centuries, hunting was one of the most important means of livelihood for the Daur people. Living in the forests, grasslands, and river valleys of northeastern China, the Daurs developed a rich hunting tradition and accumulated extensive knowledge and skills through generations of practice.

Traditional hunting methods included:

• Setting snares and traps
• Burying hidden arrows
• Collective hunting (Dawei)
• Eagle hunting

Among these methods, Dawei and Eagle Hunting were regarded as the most distinctive and representative hunting traditions of the Daur people.

Dawei: Collective Encirclement Hunting

What is Dawei?

Dawei, meaning “to encircle and hunt down animals,” was a cooperative hunting method developed by the Daur people long before modern firearms became available.

Before the early 20th century, hunters mainly relied on simple weapons such as:

• Bows and arrows
• Spears
• Hunting knives

Because these tools had limited range and accuracy, hunting large wild animals was both difficult and dangerous. To improve efficiency and safety, the Daurs gradually developed the collective hunting system known as Dawei.

How Dawei Worked

A hunting expedition was usually organized by a Hala (clan).

An experienced hunting leader, known as an Aweida, was responsible for directing the entire operation.

The hunting process generally followed these steps:

1. A hunting area was selected in advance.
2. Hunters spread out to form a large circle around the area.
3. Under the command of the Aweida, the group slowly advanced inward.
4. The encirclement gradually tightened.
5. Animals trapped inside were driven toward the center and hunted.

Animals Commonly Hunted

Through Dawei hunting, hunters commonly captured:

• Roe deer
• Deer
• Wild boars
• Ermines
• Other forest animals

This method required strong teamwork, discipline, and coordination among all participants.

Eagle Hunting: A Unique Hunting Tradition

Hunting with Trained Eagles

Another remarkable hunting practice of the Daur people was Eagle Hunting, a tradition that combined practical hunting skills with entertainment and sport.

Eagle hunting was usually carried out in winter, especially on mornings after fresh snowfall, when animal tracks were easier to spot.

The Hunting Process

Mounted on horseback, the hunter would:

• Carry a trained hunting eagle on the left arm
• Travel through snowy forests and mountains
• Search for prey such as pheasants and hares

Once prey was detected, the hunter released the eagle, which would swiftly dive and capture the target with remarkable speed and precision.

More Than a Means of Survival

Although eagle hunting generally produced a smaller catch than collective hunting, it was highly valued by the Daur people.

It served not only as:

• A traditional production activity
• A method of obtaining food

but also as:

• A recreational sport
• A symbol of courage and skill
• A source of personal pride

Owning a strong, intelligent, and fearless hunting eagle was considered a mark of honor among Daur hunters.

Cultural Significance

Today, Dawei and Eagle Hunting are no longer important economic activities, but they remain valuable expressions of Daur cultural heritage.

These traditions reflect:

• The Daur people's close relationship with nature
• Their cooperative spirit and clan organization
• Traditional ecological knowledge accumulated over centuries
• The unique hunting culture of northern China's ethnic minorities

As important elements of Daur folk culture, they continue to be remembered through festivals, cultural exhibitions, historical records, and ethnographic studies.