Yanbian Culture

People living in Yanbian are hard-working, hospitable and versatile. All the ethnic groups in this place have created distinct and splendid culture together, showing their wisdom and talent to other people who come into their places.

Ethnic Groups

Up to 2010, there have been more than 20 ethnic groups in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, including Korean, Han, Manchu, Hui, and other ethnic groups. The Korean ethnic group has the population of 820 thousand, accounting for 37.7%, Han 59.29% and other ethnic groups including Manchu and Hui 3.01%.

Ethnic villages

There are 13 ethnic villages in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture.

Inheritors of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Yanbian

Local Customs

• Dances: Most of the Koreans are good at dance, and they created many dances to describe their life or to celebrate important activities.  Korean Farmer's Dance(农乐舞), one of the oldest dance forms in Korea, is traditionally performed during planting, harvesting, and other agricultural events to give encouragement to the farmers and to provide them with a beat to work by. Sorcery Dance(巫舞) used to play an important role in the whole development of Korean dance. Changgo dance(长鼓舞) is another traditional Korean dance that is usually accompanied by hourglass-shaped drums. Fan Dance(扇舞) and Sword Dance are also performed in this area.
• Songs: People in Yanbian have created many ballads which enjoy great popularity, including Ballon Flower(桔梗谣), Arirang(阿里郎), By the Nodol River(诺多尔江边), and Red sun shines on the frontier(红太阳照边疆), etc. People use these songs to express their feelings to others.
• Costume: Hanbok, characterized by simple design, bright colors and no pockets, is a traditional Korean dress for semi-formal or formal attire during traditional occasions such as festivals, celebrations, and ceremonies. The hanbok was once used to determine different social status through the many types and components,and their characteristics from people with the highest social status,to those of the lowest social status. Although the modern Hanbok does not express a person's status or social position anymore.
• Etiquette: The Korean people pay great attention to the etiquette and admire the traditional virtues of respecting the old and loving the young. For example, when younger generation talk to the elders, they must use honorific words to show their respect to the elders.
• National Intangible Cultural Heritages:National Intangible Cultural Heritages in Yanbian include the Manchu Story-telling(满族说部), Korean Springboard, Pansori(盘索里), Gayageum(伽倻琴), and Korean Traditional Wedding, etc.