Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

Flavor Regale: The "Whole Sheep Banquet" of the Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

Western Relocation and Frontier Defense of the Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

Tradition of Toxophily in the Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

Great Chabuchar dyke of Xibe Ethnic Group

"Dongbur"and"Beilun" of Xibe Ethnic Group

The Xibe Ethnic Group (锡伯族) is an ancient Tungusic-descended people believed to be related to the Xianbei lineage of the Donghu tribes. In 1764, during the Qing Dynasty under Emperor Qianlong, more than 4,000 Xibe soldiers and civilians were relocated from Northeast China to Yili, Xinjiang (伊犁) to strengthen frontier defense and agricultural development, forming today’s dual settlement pattern between Northeast China (mainly Liaoning Province 辽宁省) and Northwest China (especially Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County 察布查尔锡伯自治县 in Xinjiang).

According to the China Statistical Yearbook (2021), the total population is about 191,900, with approximately 70.2% in Liaoning (辽宁) and 18.3% in Xinjiang (新疆). This distribution reflects a long historical migration and cultural adaptation across China’s mountain valleys, river basins, and frontier grasslands.

Ethnic Origin and Historical Development

The Xibe Ethnic Group (锡伯族) is widely regarded as descendants of the ancient Xianbei (鲜卑) people, evolving through Donghu (东胡) → Xianbei (鲜卑) → Tuoba (拓跋) → Shiwei (室韦) → Xibe (锡伯).

The most defining historical milestone is the 1764 Westward Migration (西迁节), when thousands of Xibe people moved to Xinjiang’s Ili region. This event is still commemorated today as a core cultural identity symbol.

Historically, names such as “Xibo (席伯/西伯)” appeared in records, and after 1949 the standardized name became “Xibe Ethnic Group (锡伯族)”, unifying identity across regions.

Language and Writing System

The Xibe language (锡伯语) belongs to the Altaic language family, Manchu-Tungusic branch (满-通古斯语族), sharing strong linguistic similarities with Manchu.

The Xibe script (锡伯文) was developed in 1947 based on the Manchu script and consists of around 40 phonetic symbols. It is still actively used in Xinjiang for education and official signage, while in Northeast China most Xibe communities use Mandarin Chinese in daily communication.

Traditional Culture and Folk Lifestyle of the Xibe Ethnic Group

Clothing Culture and Traditional Dress

Xibe men traditionally wear left-opening long robes, waist belts, round hats, and leather boots, reflecting their historical horseback and archery lifestyle.

Women wear embroidered long gowns with floral borders, headscarves, and finely embroidered shoes. Common motifs include peony (牡丹) and butterfly patterns (蝴蝶纹), symbolizing beauty and prosperity.

In modern life, daily clothing is mostly modern Chinese fashion, while traditional costumes are reserved for festivals such as the Westward Migration Festival (西迁节) and weddings.

Housing and Settlement Patterns

In Northeast China, Xibe communities live in traditional courtyard houses (四合院) built with wood and brick, featuring orderly layouts and enclosed yards.

In Xinjiang, especially in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County (察布查尔锡伯自治县), villages are known as “Gashan (嘎善)” settlements, historically organized as Eight Banner-style military farming communities. Houses are low-rise courtyard homes with fruit trees planted inside, and village layouts often reflect structured frontier settlement planning.

Etiquette, Rituals, and Daily Customs

Respect for elders is central. Younger generations perform the traditional “Daqian bowing ritual (打千礼)”, kneeling slightly as a formal greeting. During major festivals, deeper bowing rituals are still practiced.

Hospitality is highly valued. Guests are welcomed with tea and tobacco service offered by daughters-in-law. Cultural taboos include avoiding dog meat and dog leather products, and not stepping over hats, stoves, or door thresholds.

Family tradition centers on the worship of “Xili Mama (喜利妈妈)”, a female ancestral guardian deity honored during Spring Festival and annual rituals.

Marriage customs require different surnames between spouses. Weddings include archery ceremonies, fire-crossing rituals, and elaborate embroidery dowries prepared by brides.

Burial customs are traditionally earth burials, usually on sunny slopes, reflecting spiritual beliefs connected to nature and ancestry.

Music, Dance, Embroidery, and Archery Heritage

Xibe folk music includes field songs and narrative songs, such as the famous “Song of the Westward Migration (西迁之歌)”. Traditional instruments include Dongbuer (东布尔), reed flutes, and mouth harps.

The Beiren Dance (贝伦舞) is a nationally recognized intangible cultural heritage performance featuring shoulder shaking, stamping, and hunting-inspired movements.

Embroidery uses fine cross-stitch lock techniques (错针锁绣) and appears on clothing edges, pillows, and wedding dowry items.

Archery remains a defining cultural identity. Known as the “Arrow Homeland (箭乡)”, Xibe men traditionally excel in archery, and competitions are held during major festivals.

Major Traditional Festivals of the Xibe Ethnic Group

Westward Migration Festival (西迁节)

Held on the 18th day of the 4th lunar month, the Westward Migration Festival (西迁节) is the most important cultural celebration of the Xibe Ethnic Group (锡伯族), marking the historic 1764 migration.

Activities include horse racing, archery competitions, folk singing of the “Song of the Westward Migration (西迁之歌)”, Beiren dance performances, ancestral worship, and outdoor picnics featuring steamed fish and meat dishes.

Smudging Festival (抹黑节)

Celebrated on the 16th day of the first lunar month, people smear black ash on each other’s faces in the morning to symbolize warding off evil spirits and diseases, expressing wishes for health and harvest prosperity.

Other Traditional Festivals

Spring Festival includes dumplings, longevity noodles, couplets, and ancestor worship. The Dragon Boat Festival (孙扎拜义车孙扎) features zongzi, wormwood hanging, horse racing, and wrestling games. Qingming-related seasonal rituals include fish offerings in spring and fruit offerings in summer to honor ancestors and nature.

Religious Beliefs and Spiritual Traditions of the Xibe Ethnic Group

Shamanism and Nature Worship

Shamanism is the core belief system. The Xibe people worship natural elements such as the sky, earth, sun, moon, willow trees, and stones, as well as ancestral spirits.

Shamans conduct healing and blessing rituals. Sacred stone piles known as “Ovo (鄂博)” are used for protection rituals, while willow trees symbolize fertility and family prosperity.

Tibetan Buddhism Influence

Tibetan Buddhism was introduced during the Qing Dynasty. A key cultural site is Jingyuan Temple (靖远寺) in Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County (察布查尔锡伯自治县), which blends Buddhist architecture with Shamanistic cultural elements.

Ancestral Worship

Ancestral worship plays a strong role in cultural unity, with special reverence for ancestors who participated in the Westward Migration, reinforcing ethnic identity and cohesion.

Xibe Cuisine and Traditional Food Culture

Xinjiang Xibe Cuisine (Qapqal Area)

Signature foods include Falala Hefen (发拉哈额分) flatbread, crispy outside and soft inside, commonly eaten with pickled vegetables.

Huahua Cai (花花菜) is a sour-spicy mix of pickled carrots, celery, and chili peppers.

Lakan (辣罐 / sour-spicy tripe) is a signature dish served at banquets.

Morexueke (莫尔雪克 whole lamb feast) includes roasted, boiled, and stewed lamb served with dairy products.

Mishun (米顺 meat sauce) is a rich beef and mutton sauce served with noodles or bread.

Pepper Artemisia Stewed Fish (椒蒿炖鱼) uses Ili River fish with wild herbs for a unique aroma.

Northeast Xibe Cuisine

Blood sausage (血肠) made from pork or sheep blood is steamed or boiled.

Sour soup dough (酸汤子) made from fermented corn flour is served with pickles and blood sausage.

Xibe stuffed pork (锡伯荷包肉) features pork wrapped in flour and steamed until tender and rich.

Distribution of the Xibe Ethnic Group Across China

Xinjiang Region (18.3%)

Main area: Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (伊犁哈萨克自治州)
Core area: Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County (察布查尔锡伯自治县)

Townships include Qapqal Town (察布查尔镇), Sunzhaqinuolu Town (孙扎齐牛录镇), and others. Villages such as Sunzhaqinuolu Village (孙扎齐牛录村) and Nadaxinuolu Village (纳达齐牛录村) preserve traditional architecture and lifestyle.

Other areas include Horgos County (霍城县) and scattered communities in Yining (伊宁市) and Urumqi (乌鲁木齐).

Liaoning Province (70.2%)

Major settlements include Shenyang (沈阳市), especially Shenbei New District (沈北新区) with towns such as Xinglongtai Xibe Town (兴隆台锡伯族镇) and Shifosi Village (石佛寺村), a nationally recognized historical village.

Other cities include Xinmin (新民市), Tieling (铁岭市), Dandong (丹东市), and Dalian (大连市).

Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia and Other Regions

Smaller Xibe populations live in Harbin (哈尔滨), Changchun (长春), Hulunbuir (呼伦贝尔), and other cities, generally integrated with Han and other ethnic groups.

Cultural Tourism Destinations of the Xibe Ethnic Group

Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County (Xinjiang Core Destination)

Xibe Ancient City (锡伯古城)

Located in Sunzhaqinuolu Village (孙扎齐牛录村), the site includes the Xibe Ethnic Museum (锡伯民族博物院), Jingyuan Temple (靖远寺), Weizhen Tower (威震楼), archery experience zones, and cultural streets showcasing traditional life.

Jingyuan Temple (靖远寺)

A national key cultural relic site from the Qing Dynasty, featuring exquisite brick carvings, wooden structures, and religious artworks.

Sunzhaqinuolu Village (孙扎齐牛录村)

A well-preserved traditional Xibe settlement with courtyard houses and authentic rural lifestyle experiences.

Arrow Homeland Archery Base (中国箭乡射箭基地)

Visitors can experience traditional archery with professional coaching and participate in seasonal competitions.

Ten-Thousand-Mu Rice Terraces and Landscape Art (万亩稻田画)

Best viewed between September and October, offering panoramic views of rice field art blending with the Tianshan Mountains.

Shenyang and Liaoning Xibe Cultural Sites

Shifosi Village (石佛寺村)

A nationally recognized historical village and one of the most complete Xibe settlements in Northeast China.

Xinmin Xibe Ancient Town (新民锡伯古镇)

A cultural tourism destination featuring Ming-Qing architecture, Beiren dance performances, archery DIY, and traditional whole-lamb banquets.

Xibe Ethnic Museum (锡伯族博物馆)

Located in Shenbei New District (沈北新区), it presents Xibe history, migration, and cultural heritage.

Xibe Ancestral Temple (锡伯族家庙)

Built in 1707 in Shenyang (沈阳), it preserves bilingual inscriptions in Xibe and Chinese.

Xibe Ethnic Travel Guide (3-Day Qapqal Itinerary)

Best Travel Season

The best time to visit is around April 18 for the Westward Migration Festival or between June and October for grassland and rice field scenery.

Transportation

Fly to Yining (伊宁) via Urumqi (乌鲁木齐) or Xi’an (西安). From Yining, it takes about 40 minutes to reach Qapqal by car or bus.

Accommodation

Options include Xibe Folk Hotel (锡伯民俗宾馆) in Qapqal town and village homestays in Sunzhaqinuolu Village (孙扎齐牛录村) for immersive cultural stays.

Day 1: Yining → Qapqal → Xibe Ancient City

Visit the museum, explore the ancient city, climb Weizhen Tower, and experience archery and local cuisine such as flatbread and pickled vegetables.

Day 2: Jingyuan Temple → Tu Gong Shrine → Rice Field Landscapes

Explore Qing Dynasty architecture at Jingyuan Temple, visit irrigation heritage sites, and view rice field art landscapes in the afternoon.

Day 3: Village Experience → Departure

Join a local family experience, learn embroidery and cooking, and shop for handicrafts before returning to Yining Airport.

Travel Notes

Respect local customs, avoid touching ritual objects, and follow cultural etiquette in sacred spaces. Xinjiang has strong temperature differences, so warm clothing is recommended.