Photo: Comrade Zhao Dafu, Deputy Secretary of the Genhe Municipal Party Committee, delivers a speech at the press conference
It is understood that the World Reindeer Herders' Association is a membership-based non-governmental organization, established in Norway in 1997. It includes member countries such as Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and is a permanent observer of the Arctic Council. It holds significant influence in regions and countries where reindeer are herded around the world. Its primary mission is to promote extensive exchanges among reindeer-herding ethnic groups worldwide in professional, cultural, economic, and social aspects, strengthen international cooperation among reindeer herders, and jointly advance the development of the reindeer industry.
Currently, there are over 20 ethnic groups in nine countries raising reindeer, with a total population of about 2.5 million, mostly distributed in European countries such as Russia, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The Ewenki hunters of Aoluguya in Inner Mongolia are the only ethnic group in China that raises reindeer. In June 2008, five (now expanded to eight) reindeer-herding tribes of Aoluguya Ewenki Township officially joined the International Reindeer Herders' Association under the name "Aoluguya Tribe." After joining the association, the "Aoluguya Tribe" has achieved resource sharing with other member countries (organizations) in areas such as reindeer project planning and breeding techniques. This marks the official integration of China's reindeer herding industry with the global community. In April 2009, at the 4th International Reindeer Herders' Congress held in Kautokeino, Norway, the "Aoluguya Tribe" was granted the right to host the 5th (2013) International Reindeer Herders' Congress.
"Aoluguya" is a transliteration from the Ewenki language, meaning "a place where poplar trees thrive abundantly." For many years, the Aoluguya Ewenki people have lived in the boreal coniferous forest zone of the frigid zone, forming a uniquely distinctive tribe among China’s Ewenki ethnic group. Having migrated from the Lena River basin to the Greater Khingan Mountains 300 years ago, they have long resided deep in the forests, engaging in hunting and raising the only reindeer population in China. They are also the only minority in China whose primary mode of production and lifestyle revolves around reindeer, hence known as the "Reindeer Tribe." In 1965, the Ewenki hunters moved to settle by the Aoluguya River, establishing the Aoluguya Ewenki Hunters' Township. In 2003, the Aoluguya Ewenki hunters gave up hunting and relocated to a new site on the outskirts of Genhe City, earning the title of "China’s Last Hunting Tribe." They have no written language but possess an innate understanding of nature’s secrets, striving for unity between the soul and nature. They revere nature, advocate ecological balance, and treat the mountains, rivers, and all of nature with kindness. They are followers of Shamanism, guarding and worshipping their totems. Though small in number—only 243 people remain—their culture is incredibly precious due to its mystery, uniqueness, and the shared characteristics of the broader Arctic culture.
In recent years, party committees and governments at all levels have placed great emphasis on the development of Aoluguya Ewenki Township, providing strong support in terms of policy and funding. This has further enhanced the township’s overall strength, optimized its economic structure, improved infrastructure, strengthened ethnic unity, and achieved significant progress in economic and social development as well as various social programs. It has successively been awarded titles such as "Hometown of China’s Reindeer," "Hometown of Birch Bark Culture," and "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Arts." Liu Yunshan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, praised Aoluguya Ewenki Township as a "model for the development of China’s ethnic minorities with smaller populations."
Genhe is located at the northern foot of the Greater Khingan Mountains and boasts the "No. 1 Wetland in Asia," which is currently the largest and most well-preserved river valley wetland in China. Within the wetland flows a winding, elegant river called the Genhe River. Genhe City has a forest coverage rate of 91.7%. With an average annual temperature of -5.3°C and an extreme minimum temperature of -52.6°C, it is known as the "Coldest Place in China." It is the ecological functional core area of the state-owned forest region of the Greater Khingan Mountains, an important ecological security barrier in northern China, and the country’s only pilot city for general aviation.
Aoluguya’s charm has become a unique urban calling card of Genhe City. Here, there are clear-flowing rivers, meadows embraced by winding streams, flowers and grasses covering the mountains, vast expanses of birch forests, and serene snowfields. Here resides the ancient, mysterious, tranquil, and natural Ewenki Reindeer Tribe. It is a pure land far away yet integrated with nature, a sacred place once vibrant and now returned to silence. From July 24 to 29, 2013, the 5th International Reindeer Herders' Congress, themed "Humans · Reindeer · Nature – Sustainable Development," will be held in Aoluguya Ewenki Township. The Aoluguya Ewenki Reindeer Tribe will gather with reindeer herders from other parts of the world for extensive exchanges, promoting this pan-Arctic reindeer culture both domestically and internationally, thereby gaining more support for cultural preservation and inheritance.
At the press conference, Mr. Misha, Chairman of the World Reindeer Herders' Association, Mr. Li Song from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Center of the Ministry of Culture, Ms. Bai Lan from the Inner Mongolia Academy of Social Sciences, renowned ethnic performing artist Buren Bayaer, traditional Ewenki music inheritor Ms. Gu Xianglian, Mr. Li Qi from the Four Directions Eight Routes Auto Club, and Ms. Qi Qi Ge from the Qi Qi Ge Ethnic Silver Jewelry Center engaged in a meaningful dialogue forum on the excavation, protection, and organization of Aoluguya Ewenki culture, the direction of the Aoluguya cultural brand, and the development direction of the Aoluguya industry.
The press conference of the 5th World Reindeer Herders' Congress and the Aoluguya Tourism Promotion Conference concluded successfully with the heartfelt performance of the Ewenki ethnic song "Aoluguya" by renowned ethnic performing artists Wurina and Buren Bayaer, along with famous ethnic singer Qi Qi Ge Ma, which showcases the distinctive ethnic characteristics of the Ewenki people.