Daur Ethnic Museum

Daur Ethnic Museum

Daur Ethnic Museum

Daur Ethnic Museum was completed on August 8, 1998, in Nierji, Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner. It covers a total area of 3,800 square meters, with the Folk Culture Hall spanning 800 square meters and the Achievements Hall 519 square meters. The Folk Culture Hall is divided into two sections: Historical Economy and Folk Customs. Its content is divided into 13 parts: history, economy, villages and homes, food and clothing, culture and art, folk crafts, ethnic sports, Oboo worship, weddings and funerals, religious beliefs, and more. The Achievements Hall is located on the second and third floors.

The circular hall showcases the fruitful achievements of the two civilizations—material and spiritual—in Morin Dawa over the past 45 years, especially since the reform and opening-up. These two sections complement each other brilliantly, comprehensively and systematically presenting the historical evolution of the Daur ethnic group, the transformation and inheritance of traditional ethnic culture, as well as an overview of the economic and social development in this remote ethnic region. It also pays heartfelt tribute to the Party’s ethnic policies. The museum features a unique and distinctive design, dignified and elegant. The central atrium is illuminated by a dazzling overhead light, creating a magnificent and beautiful ambiance. The first exhibition hall displays the historical evolution of the Daur people and their traditional way of life. The hall includes a large screen with scenic lightbox images showcasing the natural beauty of the Morin Dawa landscape, four uniquely designed reliefs reflecting the Daur people’s production, daily life, and culture, a model of a typical Daur residential courtyard, three animal specimen display cases set in picturesque scenes, and a 61-inch large color projector that plays ethnic songs, historical materials, cultural art, and news programs. The second hall is the Folk Customs Hall, featuring screen-lit images, carved artworks, wax figures, horse and cart specimens, tools of labor, arts and crafts, totemic deities, and over two hundred other items and images. It introduces the Daur people’s past and present in a comprehensive, systematic, and well-illustrated manner.

The Daur people are one of the ancient ethnic groups in northern China, historically inhabiting vast areas along both banks of the Heilongjiang River and the Nenjiang River basin. They are now distributed across the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Heilongjiang Province, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, with a population of about 130,000. The Daur have a long history, valuing both martial and literary pursuits, and are among the pioneers and defenders of China’s northern frontier. In the early 17th century, they migrated from the northern to the southern banks of the Heilongjiang River and spread across the vast Nenjiang Plain. During the Qing Dynasty, they joined forces with the Ewenki and Oroqen peoples to resist Russian invasion, defending the northern borders of the motherland with their blood and lives. During the democratic revolution period, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party, they made heroic and moving contributions to the liberation of the Chinese nation. Throughout their long history, the Daur people have risen from decline to prosperity, fully enjoying the rights of regional ethnic autonomy and establishing the Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner. In the new era of reform and opening-up, the Daur people have seen rapid development in politics, economy, culture, and education, becoming a unique and vibrant part of China’s multi-ethnic tapestry.

The Daur people traditionally engaged in diverse livelihoods. Their primitive economy began with hunting, fishing, and gathering. It later expanded to include animal husbandry, farming, timber rafting, charcoal burning, handicrafts, and other economic activities. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, their economy developed rapidly. Following the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee, the Daur economy entered a phase of broad development opportunities with the deepening of reform and opening-up, demonstrating regional advantages and forming a modern framework taking shape.

The Daur people have a long history and splendid culture. They have produced many outstanding writers, singers, instrumentalists, painters, photographers, sculptors, and other literary and artistic talents, forming a traditional folk art community of the Daur people and opening up a new realm of Daur culture and art.

The Daur people do not have their own written script. During the Qing Dynasty, they often used the Manchu script to record their history and folklore. The Daur people’s oral literature, folk songs, ballads, dances, crafts, painting, and carving are all highly developed. Their plastic arts are exquisitely crafted, vividly shaped, with simple and elegant patterns, fresh and graceful styles, all bearing unique ethnic characteristics that reflect the Daur people’s aesthetic emotions and creative wisdom.

The Daur people are a sports-loving ethnic group. In addition to hockey, they also engage in traditional sports such as archery, horse racing, wrestling, neck-pulling, tug-of-war, and the board game "Mudanqi." Daur hockey is called "Beikuo" or "Pulei" in the Daur language. In the mid-1970s, the first Daur hockey team was established, which promoted the development of hockey in China. Morin Dawa Banner has been named the “Hometown of Hockey” by the State Physical Culture and Sports Commission.

Oboo worship originated in the early hunting era. Every spring and autumn, people would slaughter pigs and cattle to prepare offerings, placing them in front of the Oboo for worship, praying for blessings from the gods of nature for the people, the prosperity of the clan, abundant harvests, and peace. Over time, Oboo worship has taken on new meanings. People use the occasion for trade, cultural performances, and sports competitions, making it a traditional ethnic festival for the Daur people.

The Daur Ethnic Museum was built over several years with the care and support of relevant higher authorities. The establishment of the museum provides highly visual and informative materials for the public to understand the Daur people, serving as a platform for patriotic education, traditional ethnic culture, and revolutionary tradition.

Nierji Town: Nierji Town, Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Nierji Town is located in the southern part of Morin Dawa Daur Autonomous Banner, Hulunbuir City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, on the right bank of the Nenjiang River and the left bank of the Nomon River, at the junction of the hills at the eastern foot of the Greater Khingan Mountains and the Songnen Plain. It lies between 48°19′25″ to 48°37′12″ north latitude and 124°12′11″ to 124°32′0″ east longitude. The town covers a total area of 458.49 square kilometers, with an urban area of 9 square kilometers. It faces Nehe City in Heilongjiang Province across the Nenjiang River to the east, and... Detailed information about Nierji Town++

Further Reading:

· National Third-Class Museum of China