Up to two decades ago, most Ewenki still led a nomadic existence, wandering from place to place to hunt, living in temporary umbrella-shaped yurts they call cuoluozi when they stopped to rest. Whatever they could not take along on these long hunting trips, be it foodstuffs, tools or clothing, they stored in tree-holes for others who may wish to use them.

Since the Ewenki Autonomous Banner was founded in August 1958, the city center of Nantunzhen has expanded steadily. Over the last 25 years, Ewenki have been giving up the birch tree bark and hide accommodations for a more settled life, according to Mide, who lives with her family in the outskirts of the city.

Although without a written script, their language comprising three dialects speaks many myths, fables and songs. In pastoral areas, Mongolian is used, and in agricultural areas, the Han language can be heard.

The Ewenki now export more than 20 products, including knitting wool, milk and over 35,000 tons of reed that grows wild along the Huihe River, used to make paper. While many still hunt, they also breed deer and work on farms.

Modernization has been gradual, with several age-old practices still remaining. Bear worship continues to be practiced among the hunters. Bears are considered a sacred being. Should a bear be shot and killed, a respectful ritual of appeasement follows. The hunters bundle its head, bone and entrails in birch bark or dry grass before giving it a wind burial. Birds will feed on its remains until the remains are cleaned off. They kneel over to kowtow to the spirit, offering tobacco at the same time. This ethnic group, like the Daur and the Mongolians, are believers of Lamaism or animism. In the Chenbaerhu banner, the clans have their own animal totems, usually a swan or a duck. There, Ewenki toss milk into the air upon seeing a real swan or duck flying overhead. Anyone who kills these fowl run foul of the native people there.

Fire is also sacred. It is taboo to poke a fire, extinguish it with water or throw unclean objects into it. Women are forbidden to step over or stamp on it. To honor fire, the Ewenki people in pastoral areas conduct a ceremony on December 23 each year.

This month herdsmen and their families celebrate Mikuole, one of their biggest festivals. Men, women and children observe this annual festival, celebrated in Chenbaerhu banner on May 22, to mark a bountiful harvest. Dressed in traditional costumes, they visit each other's yurts to share their best wine and delicacies.

The elder folk give their children and grandchildren a lamb as a gift. It symbolizes their wish that their descendents be blessed with a happy prosperous life and own plenty of sheep. Afterwards, each family hosts a banquet to entertain their relatives and friends. At night, young men and women will gather to sing and dance around a bonfire.

For the nomads, they take this time to do an inventory of their newborn lambs. There's also plenty of entertainment, where the younger men demonstrate their skills in lassoing horses on horseback. The joyful participants then dash toward the horse to lop off its mane, to mark their success.

(Source: That's China)

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