Beijing Bannerman Culture Research

The inclusive Bannerman culture has assimilatory power, fusion power, continuity and cohesion. In modern times, as the core of Beijing culture, it has integrated northern nomadic culture, the Central Plains farming culture, improving the cultural diversity after interaction with Beijing city in the past300years. Meanwhile, it has brought a lot of input for Beijing city, enriching the content of Beijing local culture. Beijing, the capital of China, is the primary hotbed of Chinese civilization and frontline of Chinese culture movement. As the core of north China and an historical metropolis, Beijing is an important focus for different cultures and various ethnic groups to meet and exchange culture. Qing emperor set up the dynasty in Beijing, leading the bannermen to live there for nearly three centuries. The Eight Bannermen, mainly from Northeast China helped the emperor to conquer whole China with a series of military victories. In order to consolidate the unity of the Qing Empire, bannermen made Beijing as the Manchu’s stronghold by implementing a living policy which drove all Han citizens out of Beijing. Thus, only the bannermen occupied and reshaped the inner city. After changes and revolutions, bannermen have regarded Beijing as their hometown, finding them deeply rooted in the city. After more than10generations, they have already become Beijing’s "indigenous" people. Manchu deeply love Beijing. As a result, Beijing means more than an ancient city or bits and pieces of memory, but a home garden filled with love and soul. Bannermen’cultural activities encouraged the strong heritage from their ancestors even after a longer period. The word-of-mouth heritage plays an important role to continue the spirit of the nation bloodline, helping their national survival and maintaining traditions. Based on Manchu cultural memory, a lot of Manchu descent have created more value for mass entertainment content, seeking a wider stage to help the modern Beijing people look for their cultural root.Beijing Manchu culture is an important carrier and manifestation of the Manchu culture, based on the capital culture stage, encouraged by the talented bannermen. In this way, it is filled with national characteristics and local uniqueness, which continuously upgrade and develop. In the Qing Dynasty, Manchu culture witnessed great changes. Bannerman culture and civilian culture coexisted in Beijing, making mutual influence, leading to hybridity and transmutation. The Eight Banners system made a strict framework for bannermen generation by generation without exception. Not allowed to take part in work, farming and business, bannermen offspring had to eat with the "iron rice bowl". In order to avoid the tragedy of life, they tended to pursue art, finding a temporary comfort and balance. They are more inclined to spend great efforts to gradually develop the artistic hobby. Arts in life are everywhere within Eight Banners, driving bannermen to be more enthusiastic in speaking interesting language and writing novels with some taste originated from their own national literary style. They helped to foster Beijing’s traditional performing arts, such as Beijing opera and folk arts. All their efforts have transformed Beijing into the capital of a multi-culture.The1911Revolution ended the rule of the Qing Dynasty, as well as the Banner system. Therefore, Manchu society had to face fundamental changes. Escaping from the Eight Banners system bundle, bannermen were also cut off the economic sources from the central government. They had to feed themselves with some quite artistic accomplishment as a means of livelihood, later becoming professional artists. A lot of bannermen crowded into the arts and cultural sector. Answering the demand from highbrow or low class people, the bannermen descendants converted to Manchu identity, persisting high art and secular entertainment. In this way, bannermen’ culture continued developing and leading cultural fashion.Imperial Manchu normal living habits gave Beijing citizens in-depth edification. Emphasis on etiquette and courtesy of Bannermen influenced the whole city. Manchu customs can be seen in Beijing daily life.In other words, Manchu culture is the mirror to reflect Beijing culture. Although bannermen as a political privileged group disappeared, the bannermen’ culture have survived by some readjustment, and are able to actively promote cultural industries. This unique culture can make contribution to the variety of world culture. Facing the globalization, China needs to rediscover the positive elements in the bannermen’ culture as the means for international cultural exchange, communication. By this mean, China can realize the goal of Beautiful China and Harmonious World.