Yitong Manchu Museum
Overview of the Manchu Branch of the China National Museum of Ethnology
The Manchu Branch of the China National Museum of Ethnology has been established for 25 years. With the care and attention of Party committees and governments at all levels, the guidance of experts and scholars, and the efforts of all staff, the museum has continuously grown and developed, playing an active role in building a strong economic and cultural county. A detailed introduction is as follows:
I. Excavation and Collection of Manchu Cultural Relics in Yitong
1. Historical Background of Manchu Culture in Yitong
The Manchu people are a hardworking, intelligent, simple, and brave ethnic group who have lived and multiplied between the Changbai Mountains and the Heilongjiang River for over 4,000 years. Yitong is one of the birthplaces of the Manchu people. Their ancestors lived a fishing, hunting, and farming life in the beautiful, water-rich Qixing Land, creating human civilization. Over centuries, they left behind numerous historical sites, legends, and stories.
To date, the county has 8 Liao and Jin Dynasty ancient city ruins, 18 Liao and Jin Dynasty tombs, 1 primitive site, 38 Bronze Age sites, and 39 Liao and Jin Dynasty sites. Within Yitong’s territory, there are also remains of the Qing Dynasty Liu Tiao Bian (Willow Palisade), Imperial Road, and Royal Hunting Ground.
Yitong has a long history. During the Ming Dynasty, it belonged to the Yehe tribe of the Haixi Jurchens. In 1728 (the 6th year of the Yongzheng reign), two banner administrative offices were established. In 1814 (the 19th year of the Jiaqing reign), a sub-patrol office of the Yitong River was set up under Jilin Prefecture. As the population grew, Yitong Prefecture was established in 1882 (the 8th year of the Guangxu reign). By 1911 (the 3rd year of the Xuantong reign), the population reached 310,000, making it the largest and most populous county in Jilin Province.
Yitong Prefecture had a large Manchu population, a prosperous economy with widely traded goods, and a thriving culture with many scholars—including Hanlin scholars and generals. Thus, Yitong boasts a profound Manchu cultural heritage and abundant historical relics.
2. Excavation and Collection of Manchu Cultural Relics
The excavation of Yitong’s Manchu cultural heritage began in June 1986. In accordance with instructions from the Jilin Provincial Party Committee, the Yitong County Party Committee and government (the autonomous county was established on August 30, 1988) organized efforts to excavate, collect, research, and preserve Manchu historical and cultural heritage. An office was established to rapidly conduct county-wide collection of Manchu heirloom artifacts.
With the support of Party committees, governments, and Manchu communities, the work proceeded smoothly and achieved remarkable results. In March 1987, organized by the Jilin Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission, the Exhibition of Jilin Manchu Heirloom Cultural Relics (featuring Yitong’s artifacts) was held at the National Culture Palace in Beijing, displaying 320 types and over 1,800 pieces of relics.
On March 25, the opening ceremony was attended by national leaders including Yang Jingren, Lv Zhengcao, Pu Jie, Yan Mingfu, and Guan Shifu, as well as renowned Manchu figures in Beijing such as Hu Jieqing. Over 110,000 visitors attended the 10-day exhibition (March 25–April 5), including guests from over 10 countries and regions (the U.S., Japan, North Korea, France, Sweden, Hong Kong, Macau). More than 10 media outlets—including Central People’s Radio, CCTV, People’s Daily, Guangming Daily, and China Women’s Daily—covered the event. The overseas edition of People’s Daily and China International Radio reported the exhibition in 35 languages worldwide.
Following the Beijing exhibition, the county government intensified efforts to excavate and collect Manchu cultural heritage, increasing funding and public awareness. Yitong’s status as a Manchu birthplace, its rich heritage, and its large Manchu population (37% of the total population) provided a strong foundation for this work.
Over 20+ years, the museum collected and preserved over 650 types and 4,500 pieces of Manchu cultural relics by 2007. These include stone tools, ceramics, and bronze artifacts from Manchu ancestors, as well as heirlooms reflecting modern Manchu production, daily life, rituals, culture, and beliefs. Many relics possess significant scientific, historical, and artistic value, such as the 14th year of the Daoguang reign (1834) Imperial Edict.
II. Academic and Educational Bases
The museum serves as a base for Manchu cultural research and Shamanism studies. It has been designated as a Patriotism Education Base by Jilin Province, Siping City, and Yitong County; an Academic Base and Shamanism Research Base by the Jilin Academy of Social Sciences; and a Manchu Culture Research Base by Jilin Normal University, Changchun Normal University, and the Jilin Institute of Ethnic Studies. To date, 8 institutions have established research bases here.
The museum has hosted major academic events, including the Jilin Academy of Social Sciences Manchu Culture Symposium, 6th National Lao She Academic Seminar, and co-organized the 7th International Shamanism Culture Symposium. It has also welcomed scholars from 30+ countries and regions (Russia, the U.S., Japan, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan) to study Manchu history and culture.
III. Cultural Collaboration and Outreach
To maximize its role, the museum has jointly organized exhibitions with local cultural institutions:
- Calligraphy and painting collection exhibition
- Chairman Mao literature collection exhibition
- Stamp collection exhibition
- Ancient coin collection exhibition
- Yitong Volcano Group Exhibition Hall (in collaboration with the Yitong Volcano Group National Nature Reserve Administration)
These efforts promote Manchu culture, expand the museum’s scope, and foster collaborative cultural development.
To disseminate Manchu history and culture, the museum has co-authored Illustrated Records of Manchu Folk Customs in China (with the Jilin Provincial Press and Publication Bureau and Jilin Institute of Ethnic Studies), produced the Yitong Manchu Museum Promotional Video (with Siping TV), and created the Shamanism Tour electronic publication (with the Jilin Academy of Social Sciences).
Additionally, museum staff regularly publish papers on Manchu history, customs, and relics in academic conferences and journals.
IV. Government Support and Academic Guidance
The museum’s development is attributed to strong government support and expert guidance. Its establishment originated from a June 6, 1986 instruction by Gao Di, then Secretary of the Jilin Provincial Party Committee, and the March 1987 decision by the Jilin Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission to hold the Beijing exhibition. By early 2008, over 20 million RMB had been invested in the museum’s construction, transforming it from rented premises to a large-scale modern museum with extensive collections.
Today, the museum staff remains committed to developing the new venue into a magnificent base for Manchu cultural dissemination, patriotism education, and ethnic unity. Your guidance and support are sincerely appreciated!
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