Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

Wurigong Festival of Hezhen Ethnic Group

The Hezhe Ethnic Group (赫哲族) is one of China’s smallest minorities, with 5,373 people recorded in the 2020 census. Historically known as Sushen (肃慎), Yilou (挹娄), Wuji (勿吉), Heishui Mohe (黑水靺鞨), and Wild Jurchen (野人女真), the Hezhe are the only northern Chinese ethnic group traditionally reliant on fishing and hunting. They have lived for generations along the Heilongjiang (黑龙江), Songhua (松花江), and Ussuri Rivers (乌苏里江), earning nicknames like “Fish-Skin Tribe” and “Dog-Using Tribe”.

The name “Hezhe” (赫哲) means “Eastern People” or “Downstream Residents”, and the people call themselves “Nabei (那贝), Nanai (那乃), or Naniao (那尼傲)”. Their language belongs to the Altaic family, Tungusic branch, Manchu group (阿尔泰语系满-通古斯语族满语支) and is unwritten; Mandarin Chinese is commonly used.

National Distribution (2020 Census)

Provincial Distribution

• Heilongjiang Province (黑龙江省): 3,805 (70.8%) – core settlement area
• Beijing (北京市): 320 (6%)
• Jilin Province (吉林省): 280 (5.2%)
• Liaoning Province (辽宁省): 210 (3.9%)
• Other provinces/cities: 758 – scattered, including Inner Mongolia (内蒙古), Shanghai (上海), etc.

Core Counties (Sanjiang Plain + Wandashan Foothills)

Township & Village Core Areas

1. Jiejinkou Hezhe Township (街津口赫哲族乡, Tongjiang): 1,200 Hezhe (85% of township), includes Fisheries Village (渔业村) and Jiejinkou Village (街津口村), core of fish-skin culture.
2. Bacha Hezhe Township (八岔赫哲族乡, Tongjiang): 450 Hezhe (70%), home to Bacha Village (八岔村), Bacha Island National Nature Reserve, and Imakan storytelling base.
3. Sipai Hezhe Township (四排赫哲族乡, Raohe): 520 Hezhe (65%), includes Sipai Village (四排村), birthplace of “Ussuri Boat Song (乌苏里船歌)”, key fishing-hunting cultural site.
4. Aoqi Hezhe Village (敖其赫哲族村, Jiamusi): 280 Hezhe (40%), suburban cultural tourism hub.
5. Zhuaji Hezhe Village (抓吉赫哲族村, Fuyuan): 310 Hezhe (50%), China’s easternmost village, early sunrise viewing, and cultural heritage base.

Folk Culture & Heritage

Clothing

• Fish-skin garments (国家级非遗, 2006): made from salmon and sturgeon skin, multi-step tanning, durable, waterproof, warm, and wearable for decades.
• Styles: robes, jackets, pants, boots decorated with fish-skin applique, shells, teeth, cloud and wave patterns.
• Cultural Significance: Symbol of Hezhe fishing-hunting civilization.

Housing

• Traditional: semi-underground Dixuanzi (地窨子), summer birch bark tents (Cuoluozi 撮罗安口), Fish Houses (鱼楼) for storage.
• Modern: planned ethnic villages preserving fish motifs, wood carvings, fish-skin decoration, with courtyards and fishing-hunting display areas.

Transportation

• Birch Bark Boats: 3–5m long, lightweight, 2–3 passengers, essential for fishing.
• Dog Sleds: winter transport, teams of 5–10 dogs, 30 km/h, origin of “Dog-Using Tribe”.
• Ice Sleds: simple wooden frames for ice fishing and transport.

Arts (World & National Intangible Heritage)

• Imakan (伊玛堪, World Heritage 2011): long narrative epic singing without accompaniment, themes of heroes, myths, fishing-hunting, signature works “Man Morigen (满莫日根)”, “Xierdarumorigen (西尔达鲁莫日根)”.
• Jialingkuo (嫁令阔, National Heritage): traditional folk songs celebrating rivers and fishing life, signature “Ussuri Boat Song (乌苏里船歌)”.
• Shaman Dance: ceremonial dance with deer horn hats and spirit garments, mimicking animals to pray for blessings and ward off evil.
• Fish-skin Painting & Bone Carving: depicting fishing-hunting, nature, myths, vibrant 3D textures, symbolic of abundance.

Marriage Customs (National Heritage)

• Traditional: mix of free love and arranged marriage; gifts of fish, meat, fish-skin garments, ceremony at groom’s home with shaman blessings, whole-fish feast, ritual wine.
• Modern: retains ritual symbols, integrates folk performances and craft demonstrations.

Festivals

1. Urigong Festival (乌日贡节): May 15 (lunar), National Intangible Heritage; activities include Imakan performance, folk singing, shaman dance, fish-skin crafts, traditional sports, whole-fish feast, bonfires.
2. Opening River Festival (开江节): April, river thaw, praying for fishing harvest, shaman-led rituals, ice-breaking and fish-catching performances, lantern offerings.
3. River Lantern Festival (河灯节): July 15 (lunar), release floating lanterns to honor ancestors, accompanied by folk arts and bonfire events.
4. Winter Fishing Festival (冬捕节): December–February, ice fishing, dog sled rides, ice entertainment, Imakan performances.
5. Han Chinese Festivals: integrated with fishing-hunting elements, e.g., dumplings at Spring Festival, fish feast at Dragon Boat, dried fish at Mid-Autumn.

Beliefs & Taboos

• Shamanism & Animism: reverence for rivers, mountains, sun, moon, stars; animals as ancestral spirits (bear, tiger, eagle).
• Ancestor Worship: altars for three generations, ritual offerings during festivals.
• Taboos:
  • Fishing: avoid pregnant or juvenile fish, first net requires ritual.
  • Hunting: avoid juvenile or pregnant animals; post-hunt rituals mandatory.
  • Daily Life: respect dogs, conserve birch trees, maintain household order.

Cuisine (Fishing-Hunting Flavors)

• Signature Dishes:
  • Talaha (塔拉哈): roasted raw fish, lightly charred, salted, spicy, fresh texture.
  • Shashengyu (刹生鱼): cold mixed fish salad with cucumber, sprouts, chili, and vinegar.
  • Stewed River Fish (炖江鱼): salmon, sturgeon, carp stewed with potatoes, beans, tofu.
  • Fish Drying / Fish Floss (鱼干 / 鱼松): preserved for long-term use, snack or cooking.
• Staples:
  • Wild Plum Cakes (稠李子饼): sweet and sour, festival essential.
  • Tu Huo Ban Mian (吐伙宴面饼): cornmeal and fish oil pancakes.
• Drinks: river-water wine, wild berry wine.

Cultural Tourism

Museums & Cultural Sites

• Tongjiang Hezhe Museum (街津口赫哲族乡, Tongjiang): only national museum dedicated to Hezhe, 1,500+ artifacts, reconstructed traditional houses.
• Raohe Sipai Folk Museum (四排赫哲族乡, Raohe): Ussuri Boat Song hall, folk manuscripts, wedding/fishing tools, small Imakan theater.
• Fuyuan Zhuaji Cultural Heritage Center (抓吉赫哲族村, Fuyuan): fish-skin and birch crafts, carving workshops, sunrise ritual experiences.
• Jiamusi Aoqi Folk Museum (敖其赫哲族村, Jiamusi): suburban museum, dog sleds, ice fishing tools, folk clothing.

Key Tourism Areas

• Jiejinkou Hezhe Tourist Resort (街津口赫哲族乡, Tongjiang, 4A): cultural village, workshops, riverside boardwalk, fishing-hunting experiences.
• Sipai Hezhe Township (四排赫哲族乡, Raohe, 4A): birthplace of Ussuri Boat Song, ecological experiences.
• Bacha Hezhe Township (八岔赫哲族乡, Tongjiang): traditional fishing-hunting, Imakan base.
• Aoqi Bay (敖其赫哲族村, Jiamusi, 4A): suburban leisure, wetlands, folk village, film & cultural tours.
• Zhuaji Village (抓吉赫哲族村, Fuyuan): easternmost point, sunrise rituals, border culture, fishing-hunting.

Traditional Villages & Ancient Towns

• Heritage Villages:
  • Fisheries Village (渔业村, Tongjiang)
  • Jiejinkou Village (街津口村, Tongjiang)
  • Zhuaji Village (抓吉赫哲族村, Fuyuan)
  • Bacha Village (八岔村, Tongjiang)
  • Sipai Village (四排村, Raohe)
• Ancient Towns:
  • Jiejinkou (街津口古镇, Tongjiang)
  • Sipai (四排古镇, Raohe)

Travel Guide

Best Seasons

• Spring (Apr–May): river thaw, ice-breaking, Opening River Festival.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): river cruises, wetlands, fish-skin crafts, Imakan performances.
• Autumn (Sep–Oct): salmon season, drying fish, harvest celebrations.
• Winter (Dec–Feb): ice fishing, dog sleds, Winter Fishing Festival.

Recommended Routes

1. Sanjiang Hezhe Deep Tour (5 Days): Jiamusi → Aoqi Bay → Tongjiang → Jiejinkou → Bacha → Raohe → Sipai → Fuyuan → Zhuaji → return.
2. Easternmost Hezhe Experience (3 Days): Fuyuan → Zhuaji → Ussuri Town → Heixiazi Island → Sipai → return.
3. Suburban Folk Experience (1–2 Days): Jiamusi → Aoqi Bay → day trip or overnight.

Must-Do Experiences

• Intangible Heritage: fish-skin painting & clothing, Imakan singing, shaman dance.
• Fishing-Hunting: birch bark boat, fish spearing, ice fishing, dog sledding.
• Festivals & Cultural Shows: Urigong, Opening River, River Lantern, Winter Fishing Festivals.

Food & Accommodation

• Cuisine: Talaha, Shashengyu, Stewed River Fish, Fish Drying/Floss, Wild Plum Cake, Tu Huo Ban Mian, river-water wine.
• Stays: Jiejinkou – folk inns, fish-skin themed lodges; Sipai – riverside homestays; Zhuaji – eastern-style B&Bs; Aoqi – suburban leisure resorts, fishing-hunting hotels.