Inner Mongolia Culture

Inner Mongolia has been an inhabitation to Mongolians for a long time since ancient times. As the hometown of the great hero Genghis Khan, it has a long history of ethnic culture, being the birthplace of human civilization and the source of grassland culture. The culture of Inner Mongolia is largely influenced by the famous Genghis Khan. The Mongolians of the grasslands provide for the agricultural industry with their livestock, handicrafts and dairies. Join in Inner Mongolia culture tour, tourists will have the opportunity to fully discover and experience the Mongol culture and local customs. 

Ethnic Groups in Inner Mongolia

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is inhabited by 49 ethnic groups, including Mongolian, Han, Manchu, Hui, Daur, Ewenki, Oroqen, Korean, Xibo, Tujia, Dongxiang, Miao, etc. Among them, the Han population is 19,650,687, accounting for 79%; the Mongolian population is 4,226,093, accounting for 17% while the population of other ethnic groups is 829,541, accounting for 4%. Hui and Manchu have a population of over 100,000. There are Korean, Daur and Ewenki ethnic groups with a population of over 10,000; Oroqen, Zhuang, Xibo and Russian ethnic groups with a population of more than 1,000; 38 ethnic groups with a population of less than 1,000, including Tibetans, Uighurs, Yi and Buyi. Ewenki people are industrious, brave and intelligent. Ewenki people have rich and colorful traditional customs and cultures. Daur nationality is one of the ethnic minorities with a long history and splendid culture in northern China. The Oroqen nationality is a hunting nationality. Their religious beliefs, food, clothing, housing, transportation, customs and culture all embody the characteristics of the hunting nationality. 

Ethnic Banners in Inner Mongolia

As of late 2017, Inner Mongolia has juridiction over 49 banners and 3 autonomous banners, listed as followings:

Minority Autonomous Counties in Inner Mongolia

Traditional Villages in Inner Mongolia 

More about the Traditional Villages in Inner Mongolia 

Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Inner Mongolia

More about the Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Inner Mongolia

Folk Customs in Inner Mongolia

• Nadam: Usually held in August,  it is the biggest traditional Mongolian festival, and also, it is the only one of its kind to express the nomadic culture with traditional ethnic performances, equestrian shows and competition.
• Mongolian Yurt: The Mongolian yurt, or Ger (pronounced “Gher” in Mongolian) is a portable, round tent covered with skins or felt and used as a dwelling by generations of Mongolian. It is a traditional living appliance in grassland and pastoral areas and is also a unique accommodation  where tourists are interested.
• Ji Aobao (Aobao Festival): It is also known as Aobao Meeting, which is a traditional worshipping festival in Inner Mongolia when people pray for good weather and safety for both humans and livestock. After the Aobao Worship Ceremony (Ji Ao Bao, 祭敖包) is finished, comes the activities such as wrestling, singing and dancing.

Inner Mongolian Food Culture

• Mongolian food: Traditional Mongolian food is found throughout Inner Mongolia. Meats, especially lamb, form most meals, and are divided into the Red Food category while the dairy produce such as milk, yoghurt and cheese are put into the White Food category. In local custom, White Food is the highest treat to their guests.
• Mongolian toast: Mongolian toast: the host pour wine to show respect to the guests. Wine is the most precious food that can express the loyalty of friends. The host pour the wine into a silver bowl or a gold cup, supported it on Hada, sing toast song, and express his sincerity and hospitality. At this time, the guest should immediately take over the wine, drink if he can, or taste a little if he cannot. Then he should return the wine to the host, not to give up and decline the host's toast.

Inner Mongolian Folk Music

• Mongol Stringed Instrument: Morin khuur (马头琴), or horse head instrument, The structure of Mongol stringed instrument is simple, including a thin and long body as well as a fiddle bow. It can be played solo, duet and concerto. Its sound is deep, booming and sonorous.
• Sihu Music: The Sihu is also known as the houle, khuur, or khur in Mongolian, which is one of the most distinctive musical instruments, and includes treble, alto and bass versions.The music of the Sihu is highly expressive, profound, melodious, simple, and pure. It is the greatest musical creation of the Mongolian people, who are most famous for leading an agricultural-nomadic life.  
• Folk Songs: There are three kinds of folk songs listed on the National Intangible Cultural Heritage: Ordos Short Tune folk song (短调民歌),  Manhan folk song (漫瀚调), which means “folk songs in desert areas” in Chinese), Guru folk song (古如歌), originated from the royal court and is the only complete preserved court song of Mongolian nationality.

Languages used in Inner Mongolia 

Mongol ethnic group mainly uses Mongolian (Inner Mongolia dialect), including Chahar, Bahrain, Erdos, Horqin, Harqin and other local languages used by Mongolian live in central Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Han nationality and other ethnic groups mainly use Chinese, which is inconsistent in different regions. Northeastern mandarin is mostly used in the eastern region (East Four Leagues and East Xilingol League). Jin language is widely spoken in the central and western regions (from Bayannur to the west of Xilingol League). Alxa League is greatly influenced by provinces of Gansu and Ningxia, with official Lanzhou and Yinchuan Mandarin as the main language.