Cultural Heritage of Heilongjiang Province From “Approaching Heilongjiang”- serial reports on Heilongjiang

Heilongjiang is a multinational border province with a large number of immigrants. The Han population accounts for more than 90% of the total population of the province. The ethnic minorities in Heilongjiang, with a small population but various races, are mainly made up of 10 native minorities: Manchu, Hui, Korean, Mongol, Daur, Orogen, Ewenki, Kirgiz, Hezhen, Xibe Ethnic Minorities. Their historical vicissitude and customs have been mainly supportec by their own communities. Specifically, some minorities feature in their abundant mythology culture. For example, Manchu, Mongol, Orogen, Ewenki and Daur. Meanwhile, serial rap with heroic theme spreads widely in three ethnic groups, “Imakan” in Hezhen, “Mosukun” in Orogen and Daur’s “Wuqin”. This form of art has become the treasure of national culture in Heilongjiang.

In modern times, cultural characteristics formed in Heilongjiang, a large multinational border province, tend to be frontier, national and a combination of Chinese and Western elements. Aborigines’ culture in Heilongjiang combines with the excellent Chinese national traditions and various folkways and customs brought by the people who immigrated into this “prosper land” and “exiles” since the early Qing Dynasty. In the early twenty-first century, Haerbin, Heihe, Suifenhe port in Heilongjiang became international trade centers. Different traits of civilization were shown in the aspects of architecture, religion, culture, education and sanitation in foreign countries, such as, Russia, Japan, Germany and Holland. Through cultural shock and communication with Heilongjiang, they became an important part of modern civilization of Heilongjiang River.

The intangible cultural heritage in Heilongjiang is in large variety. Some excellent works of art and literature have been created into the industry of tourism culture, thus generating social benefits and profits. On March 27th 2007, Heilongjiang government publicized 57 items of heritage as the first list of intangible cultural heritage of provincial level. In addition, nine items marked with asterisks are classified as intangible cultural heritage of state level.