A Study On "Minzu" Identity Of Tonghai Mongolian In Yunnan

It had been more than760years since Mongolian entered into Yunnan in late Song and early Yuan Dynasty. Over the past700years, most Mongolian had been incorporated into other peoples, except the Mongolian who gathered in Qilu lakeside of Tonghai County. They survived because of their special geographical environment, interaction patterns with surrounding communities and social-historical memory. In the multi-ethnic interactive environment, Tonghai Monglian were deeply influence by surrounding peoples in its livelihoods, clothing, food, architecture, religion, festivals, marriages,funerals and other cultural styles, showing varying degrees of "acculturation" phenomenon. Although the cultural patterns were similar with the surrounding peoples, Tonghai Mongolian reorganized these patterns in different way, which in line with the identity demands and expression of Mongolian.After the founding of People’s Republic of China, the Chinese government conducted the national confirmation project. The national identity of Tonghai Mongolian was recognized. They still was and willing to be Mongolian even they had "rare" national characteristics. Some ethnic research scholars helped them with combing out their history, tracing the cultural origins, looking for "ethnic roots", further affirm and enhance their social and historical memory. Government confirmation of Mongolian identity and preferential national policy,"ascertain the origin and the facts" by history scholars, these elements were provided the impetus with Ethnic boundary constructing by Tonghai Mongolian. Sufferings of being squeezed to Qilu Lake, the historical memory of being "Fisherman", family metaphor with Inner Mongolia, these have become the basis for the construction of ethinc boundary by Tonghai Mongolian.In1980s, Tonghai Mongolian had more frequent interaction with their "home"-Inner Mongolia, Inner Mongolia also provides more economic, cultural and other support to them. Tonghai Mongolian who went to visit and study in Inner Mongolia, together with visitors from government officials and cultural elites from Inner Mongolia, promoted the innovative introduction of a number of Inner Mongolia cultural elements, consolidated and improved the "Minzu" identity of Tonghai Mongolian. They learn Mongolian, dance Andai, built "Trinity Temple", celebrated the "Nadam"; they collected folk literature, wrote ethnic history;"dressing up" the main building in township, made them "nationalization". From the introduction of cultural elements of everyday life,"Nadam" which reinforce the national characteristics, or even "the invention of tradition", in the promotion of national policy, the social elite, coexistence and mutual construction of the nation, self consciousness of Tonghai Mongolian can be full expressed. Their ethnic culture developed innovatively, their connection to the surrounding people and outside world more closely,"Minzu" identity had been strengthened.