The history of the Xibe people's westward migration

On the south bank of the Ili River in Ili, Xinjiang, there is a county called Chabuchar Sibe Autonomous County. One of the main living ethnic groups in the area, the Xibe, moved westward here during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Why did they migrate here from the northeast? Let us find out today.

The westward migration of the Xibe people was a mission entrusted by history. Before the 16th century, the ancestors of the Xibe people lived on the Songnen Plain and the Hulunbuir Prairie for generations. It was essentially different from ordinary ethnic migration. That was in the middle of the 18th century, the Qing government put down the rebellion of the Junggar aristocrats and established the "General of Ili and Other Places" in Huiyuan, Ili, to govern Xinjiang. However, after reunification, there was a vacuum without soldiers in the Guangbao land in the western border area, and the unification faced gains and losses. At the request of Mingrui, the first general of Ili, Emperor Qianlong made up his mind and ordered the relocation of Xibo soldiers who were brave and skillful and knew agricultural production techniques to cultivate and guard the border.

Before soliciting Sibo officers and soldiers to move westward to Xinjiang, the Qing government successively dispatched officers and soldiers from Heilongjiang, Zhangjiakou, Jehe and other places to garrison Ili, and also dispatched Green Camp soldiers to Ili. However, Ming Rui, the first general of Ili, deeply felt that the existing garrison officers and soldiers in Ili were not enough to defend the vast Xinjiang, so he asked the Qing court for instructions to send more officers and soldiers. At its request, the Qing government decided to dispatch 1020 Sibo officers and soldiers from the cities affiliated to Shengjing to defend Tarhatai with their families. A total of 3275 family members moved west to Ili, Xinjiang, for reclamation and defense. Among the rare Long March team of thousands of men, women and children in the world, there were also a large number of other relatives who did not want to be separated from their flesh and blood but followed the team.

According to historical records, on the 18th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar in the 29th year of Qianlong (1764), the Qing government recruited 1018 Xibe officers and soldiers from Shengjing (now Shenyang) and other places, together with their families, a total of 3275 people. Led by Manchu officials, they moved westward to the Ili area of Xinjiang to cultivate and guard the border. On the 18th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar that year, the Xibe people who moved westward to Xinjiang and the Xibe men, women and children who stayed in the northeast gathered at the Xibe family temple in Shengjing-Taiping Temple to pay homage to their ancestors. After dinner and saying goodbye, the next morning, the Sibe officers and soldiers and their families bid farewell to their hometown folks and embarked on a long journey of moving westward. After a year and three months of arduous trek, they arrived in the Ili region of Xinjiang. Chabuqal Sibe Autonomous County was their residence at that time, and the Sibe people there were their descendants.

From here, you can see the westward migration route at that time: Shenyang-Zhangwutai Border Gate-Liaoning Tong.- Kailu-Arukerqin-Siujumqin-Dongujumqin-Right-wing Rear Banner-Zhongqian Banner-Chechen Khan Banner-Ulaanbaatar-Ulyasutai-Kovd-Altay-Burqin-Hebuksair-Chahan Obo-Emin-Bortala-Barruk-Ili Huiyuan City-Chabuchar County.

According to records: When the westward migration team reached the area of Kovd, it was just when the snow in the Altai Mountains melted and several rivers overflowed. The water was deep and the flow was rapid, and they could not move forward. They waited for days. The water receded for no time, so I had to take the route around Mount Kozis. At this time, there was not much food rations, and many horses and camels died. In the face of lack of food, insufficient animal power, difficult roads, and extremely difficult marching, Amu Hulang and others sent instructions to Ili General's message to send people to provide relief. At the same time, they led the officers and soldiers and their families to collect wild vegetables to satisfy their hunger and continue to move forward.

In June, the two teams met with people who came to provide aid and continued to rush after receiving the aid supplies. They finally arrived in Ili in July 1765 (the 30th year of Qianlong) and successfully completed the great journey of moving westward. The long and arduous journey reduced this huge team's staff a lot, but more than 350 babies were born on the way. The Qing government originally stipulated that they would arrive in three years after the westward migration. Due to the perseverance and hard work of the Xibo soldiers and civilians, It took only one year and three months (including a seven-month rest in Uliyasutai) and traveled more than 10,000 miles to reach Ili ahead of schedule. This cannot be said to be a major feat in the history of the Chinese nation.

网站图片位

Facts show that the Xibo people moved westward at that time, transportation was still very backward, the roads were dangerous, the climate was changeable, and they had to endure the hardships and hardships of long distances. They traveled day and night, braved the scorching heat and the severe cold, and finally reached their destination with tenacious perseverance. They used actions and facts to demonstrate the historical achievements of the Sibe soldiers and civilians who served the country wholeheartedly, and also made important contributions to peace and stability in Xinjiang and the reunification of the motherland.

In addition, in order to commemorate the migration westward to guard the border and miss their relatives, the Xibe people specially established the Western Migration Festival. Xinjiang Xibe compatriots called it "Duyin Baizhuanzhakun". Because the time is on the 18th of the fourth month of the lunar calendar, it is also called "Fourth and Eighth Festival".

On the 18th of the fourth lunar month, Xibo compatriots gather from all directions to visit temple fairs, sing folk songs, and hold various cultural and sports activities. On this day, all men, women and children of the Xibe ethnic group wear their costumes, gather together happily, play "Dongbu", blow the "Moke tune", and dance vigorously and with a bright beat "Belain" to their heart's content. The girls '"shoulders shaking" and the boys'"duck steps" are vivid to express their longing for their hometown and their longing for a better life in the future.

in the Xibe Folk Customs Park in Sunzha Qi Niulu Township, 6 kilometers west of Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is a folk customs park that displays the ancient cultural site of Jingyuan Temple and the history, culture and folk customs of the Xibe people. The long history, culture and folk customs of the Xibe people have formed unique tourist characteristics here.

Jingyuan Temple in the Fengqing Garden was built in 1892. It is one of the more influential temples among the eight major Lama temples in Ili in the Qing Dynasty. It is now a key cultural protection unit at the autonomous region-level, covering an area of 15,000 square meters and a building area of more than 2000 square meters. The temples and towers in the entire temple are symmetrically and proportionately arranged in a scattered manner, simple and natural manner, and each has its best. The entire temple forms a group of majestic, harmonious and unified ancient buildings.

网站图片位

Jingyuan Temple is a microcosm of the integration of Central Plains culture into the northwest border of the motherland. It fully reflects the architectural art of the Xibe people and is a physical witness for the Xibe people and various brother nations to defend the border and safeguard the unity of the motherland. There are indoor exhibition halls such as history halls and folk customs halls in the customs park to display the history, culture, and folk customs of the Xibe people. In the History Exhibition Hall, you will understand the historical evolution of this nation and the "Great Western Migration" that occurred in this land, where "a heroic nation created a great legend", which will make you sincerely respect them. On May 20, 2006, the Xibe Western Migration Festival declared by Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was approved by the State Council to be included in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage lists.

For more than 200 years, the Xibe people have been commemorating the heroic deeds of migrating westward and their heroic achievements in cultivating Xinjiang's border areas through the Western Migration Festival, in order to inherit and carry forward the spirit of their ancestors 'westward migration of love for the motherland and courage to sacrifice, and demonstrate the spiritual outlook of today's Xibe people who keep pace with the times.

Over the long historical years, the feat of moving westward has gradually sublimated into the spirit of patriotism, selfless dedication, pioneering spirit, spirit of unity and friendship, and spirit of self-improvement. It has connected the Xibe people all over the country and played a role in cultural exchanges and ethnic identity. The link role of identity in turn promotes the identity of the Chinese nation, enhances national unity and social stability, and enhances the cohesion of the nation.