The meaning of Yi Xirong in South Manchuria and North Didong

"Nanman, Beidi, Dongyi and Xirong" is a general term for the surrounding ethnic minorities in ancient China.

Nan Man refers to the ethnic minorities in the south of the Central Plains, including the ethnic groups in Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangdong and Guangxi today. In ancient times, the nationalities in these areas were quite different from the Han culture in the Central Plains, so they were collectively called "Nan Man". Beidi refers to the ethnic minorities in the north of the Central Plains, mainly including the ethnic groups in Inner Mongolia and Northeast China today. In ancient times, these ethnic groups usually lived as nomads, which was quite different from the farming culture in the Central Plains, so they were called "Northern Land".

Dongyi refers to the ethnic minorities in the eastern part of Central Plains, mainly referring to the ethnic groups in Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui and other regions today. In ancient times, these areas were important areas for cultural exchanges between Huaxia and Dongyi. Xirong refers to the ethnic minorities in the west of the Central Plains, including today's ethnic groups in Shaanxi, Gansu, Qinghai and Xinjiang. In ancient times, these ethnic groups were usually quite different from the Han culture in the Central Plains, so they were called "Xirong".

Brief introduction of ethnic minorities

There were 56 ethnic groups in modern China, of which the majority were Han, and the other 55 ethnic groups had relatively small populations, which were collectively referred to as ethnic minorities. These ethnic minorities have different origins, some have lived in China since ancient times, and some have come to China due to historical migration, conquest, trade and other reasons, and have merged with the Han nationality and other ethnic groups to varying degrees.

For example, some ethnic groups, such as Tibetans, Uighurs and Mongolians, have a long history in China, and they have exerted an important influence on the development of China in politics, economy and culture. However, some ethnic groups, such as Hui and Korean, came to China due to the modern immigration.

After the founding of People's Republic of China (PRC), the China government pursued the policy of ethnic equality, safeguarded the legitimate rights and interests of ethnic minorities, and promoted ethnic unity and harmony. Ethnic minorities play an important role in the social, cultural and economic development of China, and their traditional culture and language are protected and passed down by the state.