The ancient lunmuda festival of the Oroqen nationality

The name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: the Oroqen GuLun muda Festival

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

Item No.: 461

Project No.: Ⅹ - 13

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: folk customs

Region: Heilongjiang Province

Type: new item

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

Protection unit: cultural center of Aihui District, Heihe City

A brief introduction to the Gulan muda festival of the Oroqen nationality

Declaration area or unit: Heilongjiang Province

The Oroqen nationality is one of the minority nationalities with a small population in China. Since ancient times, it has been living in the deep forests of the Heilongjiang River Basin and the big and small Xing'an Mountains. It has been hunting and hunting for generations. This unique way of production and life has formed a unique traditional festival - GuLun muda Festival.

"GuLun muda" is the Oroqen language, which means sacrifice to the God of fire. The Gulan muda Festival evolved from the ritual of offering sacrifices to the God of fire. Since ancient times, every family in Oroqen has to light a bonfire in front of their own house on New Year's day or auspicious day, burn incense and kneel down to pray for the God of fire to protect their peace, and sprinkle wine and meat to the fire pond before meals to show their worship. In the long run, it has formed a kind of folk custom inherited from generation to generation.

The festival is usually held in spring every year. At that time, people take good wine, meat, tents and other things with their families to ride to the predetermined place to participate in the activities. During the festival, the activities are rich and colorful. In the night, shamans are invited to dance around the campfire to offer sacrifices to gods and ancestors; in the day, sports activities such as horse racing, archery, shooting, wrestling, singing, dancing, storytelling, playing chess and playing wooden cards are held. The Kulun muda Festival is not a single day of offering sacrifices to gods and ancestors, but also contains rich cultural connotations.

However, due to historical reasons, the festival stopped for a long time. In recent years, although some people spontaneously restored it, great changes have taken place in the way and content of the activities, and some traditional activities are on the verge of disappearing. Therefore, it is urgent to protect this folk festival.