How an ethnic group lives their modern life in the meadows

Fruits are fed to domesticated animals returning to the forest at a "hunting spot" in the hinterland of the Greater Xing'an Mountains in Inner Mongolia. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

The Ewenki people are one of the 56 ethnic groups in China, and there is a branch of them called Shilu Ewenki people, named after their reindeer herding skills. The Shilu Ewenki people, who lived in the Aoluguya Ewenki ethnic township of Genhe city, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, are currently the only ethnic group in China that raises reindeer and preserves the "reindeer culture".

In 2003, ecological immigrants from Aoluguya Ewenki ethnic township relocated to the western suburbs of Genhe city. With the continuous relocation of their residences, this ethnic group, which used to live by hunting with reindeer on the mountains, gradually integrated into modern society from a simpler state of production and life.

According to Wang Chengshi, Party Secretary of Genhe city, the local government has introduced a series of supportive policies to ensure the safety and stability of downhill hunters. Especially since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, all levels of local governments have focused on solving the problems of food, school, transportation, housing, and medical treatment for Ewenki hunters, and promoting industrial development and poverty alleviation.

Gu Musen holds a newborn tamed calf in the "hunting spot" in the hinterland of the Greater Xing'an Mountains in Inner Mongolia. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Suo Yunfeng, his wife, and twin daughters take a group photo at their home in Beijing. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

He Lei, his wife, and two daughters take a photo together at their home in Ewenki Township, Aoluguya, Genhe City. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Gong Yu teaches ethnic minority culture courses to undergraduate students at Hulunbuir University. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Suo Wei drives a truck at a logistics base in Beijing. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Zhao Yilin introduces his traditional handicrafts made from birch bark to his colleagues in Beijing. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Ao Na and her husband take a photo together outside their residence in the hinterland of the primitive forest in the Greater Xing'an Mountains. (WANG WEI / FOR CHINA DAILY)