Manchu people

Wanggiyan Aguda

清 佚名 《清太祖天命皇帝朝服像》

Qing Empire circa 1820 EN

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Flag of China (1912–1928)

Manchu people are an ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria, their original homeland, gets its name. They are one of the 56 officially recognized ethnic groups in China. The Manchus are descended from the Jurchen people who established the Jin dynasty (1115–1234) in northern China. In the 17th century, under the leadership of Nurhaci and his son Hong Taiji, they unified the Jurchen tribes and established the Qing dynasty (1636–1912), which was the last imperial dynasty of China.

History

The Manchu identity began to form when the Jurchen tribes in what is now northeastern China united under Nurhaci, who declared himself the Khan of the Later Jin in 1616. After conquering Ming dynasty's territories in the northeast, Nurhaci's successor, Hong Taiji, renamed the dynasty to Qing and set his sights on the rest of China. The Qing dynasty eventually conquered the Ming and ruled China until 1912.

During the Qing dynasty, the Manchu people were placed at the top of a social hierarchy and were given significant privileges over the Han Chinese majority. They were known for their military prowess and were often placed in high-ranking positions within the army and the government. The Qing dynasty implemented the Queue Order, requiring all men in China to adopt the Manchu hairstyle of shaving the front of their heads and wearing a queue as a sign of submission.

Culture

Manchu culture is rich and distinctive, heavily influenced by their nomadic origins and shamanistic beliefs. Traditional Manchu clothing, language, and customs have been preserved to some extent by the community, although many have been lost or assimilated into the dominant Han culture over centuries of rule.

The Manchu language is part of the Tungusic family of languages but is now considered endangered, with most Manchus today speaking Mandarin as their first language. Traditional Manchu religion included shamanism and ancestor worship, although many Manchus have adopted Buddhism, Confucianism, or other religions prevalent in China.

Modern Day

Today, the Manchu people are fully integrated into Chinese society, and their identity is more cultural and historical than based on any form of political autonomy. The Chinese government recognizes the Manchus as one of the country's 56 ethnic minorities and supports the preservation of their cultural heritage through various cultural revival programs.

Despite their integration, there has been a resurgence of interest in Manchu culture and history, particularly among the younger generation. Efforts to revive the Manchu language and traditional practices, such as archery and wearing traditional clothing, have gained popularity in recent years.

See Also

• Qing dynasty
• Ethnic minorities in China
• History of China