Ethnic minorities of Heilongjiang: Oroqen
The Oroqen, living in the northern ranges of the Dahinggan Mountains of Inner Mongolia and Heilonjiang, are one of northern China’s more enigmatic nationalities, and one facing more difficult times. Their traditional livelihoods, based on hunting, has been ended – legally – by a ban on hunting. Yet it is interesting that in China the urban rich can hunt, while those whose ancient traditions depend upon it are prevented from doing so. Nomadic Oroqen communities, in the woods and mountains, are certainly threatened, and their resettlement in villages and towns is creating substantial future social problems, as has been seen in countries across the globe.
