Research On The Role Of The State In Generating The Self-identification Of The Oroqen Ethnic Group

Oroqen is one of the three small ethnic groups in Northeast China. It used to be one branch of solon tribe group in history and mixed with northern ethnic groups such as Ewenki and Daur in the horizon of Heilongjiang. With the strong similarity in language, origin, social group and life custom, the three ethnic groups are always called"Tunguska people" by western scholars.Some Chinese scholars consider that at least Oroqen and Ewenki should have been divided into one nation. Since their language both belong to Altaic Tunguska languages, they are both the descendants of the series from "Sushen" to "Dynasty" in origin, they both stick to Shamanism in belief, their living methods are both hunting and fishing etc. In view of these similarities, we can not help but raise this question: why did not they evolve into one single group but evolve into so much scattered independent groups? What factors play the most important role in the development of their process of evolving?After our investigation and history research, we find that historical Solon tribes such as Oroqen, Ewenki and Daur had already interact with each other and been in the process of integration before the crusade from the Qing government and the implementation of Rd file system. Even after this, these ethnic groups were still referred as"solon"."People in the trees"was also their common name because they were not identified detailly. With the cross-cutting area they settled in and the make-up in the economy style and the frequent trade and business and the widespread intermarriage between them etc, we believe that in the absence of powerful external forces, they would have evolved into one single group logically and it can be expected in reality after a long history applying the original theory and the"one multi-nation"theory of professor Fei Xiao tong. However, Oroqen still develops into a single ethnic group eventually. In aggression against Russia, the Qing Dynasty strengthened the jurisdiction of the residence of the ethnic group, absorbed the brave and fighting Oroqen into the Eight Banners and implies the Rd and File system to it in accordance with its original social organizations. In addition, the Qing government enforces a great deal of the special care policy and it brings in a great influence. In the obvious social and political stratification of the Qing Danasty, the status of the Oroqen was just inferior to Manchu and Mongolian. The direct consequence of the strengthening policy with the centralized systems is the so quick enhanced identification of the country. Thus the concept of nation-state ideas had a widespread influence in the Oroqen people particularly in the people whose social status was above ZuoLing。On the other hand, these external forces aroused the consciousness of the ethnic group. In order to preserve their original tribal clan, there happened more than one fierce struggle between Oroqen and the Qing Dynasty. At this stage, the consciousness of the country and the ethnic group in Oroqen both reached the highest level historically. Referring to the construction theory of the nation-state, we could have this conclusion that the strong efforts leaded the Oroqen to a separate ethnic group after it separated the Oroqen from the ambiguous"Solon"and implement their respective geographical jurisdiction. And this is just the beginning. Although the consciousness of the nation-state had been strengthened, the sense of the consciousness of the nation-state was still weak in the ordinary person of Oroqen. They could not form the concept of"Qing Dynasty people"and told themselves from the external force.According our interview in Oroqen, we find that there are no differences between Oroqen and the Han ethnic group in the use of language, form of wearing, cultural beliefs, entertainment, concerning problems etc. it tells us that they recognize and accept the mainstream ideology of our country and keep in accordance with the general life style in this new era. But they also wish to remain their culture and the national treatment policy. It tells us that the Oroqen's sense of the ethnic group is still very strong, and it can be realized in the normal life when there are conflicts between them and the administration.On the base of this, the implementation of the national policy has enhanced the identity of the nation-state and its own ethnic group in Qroqen ; on the other hand, the identity of its own ethnic group lead to their adherent to the national policy. The above phenomena reflect fully the mobility, the level and the instrumental effect of the ethnic group identity. The ethnic identity has become a method of seeking the economic interests of the ethnic groups.To sum up, if there were no the road and file system from Qing dynasty, the northern"solon"tribe which included Oroqen might have been evolved into one single ethnic entity in the long history. The various policies coming from Qing government enhanced the identity of the nation-state and the consciousness of its own ethnic group. Although the identity of the nation-state had been strengthened greatly, the Oroqen's consciousness of the nation-state was still very weak and the native people of Oroqen could not tell themselves from their"enemy". Until the foundation of the people's republic of china bring in a great deal of influence on them in every aspect such as culture, social life, education etc, its consciousness of the nation-state doesn't keep in the same level with the other 55 ethnic groups. The effects of nation-state play a great role in the process of the ethnic group's identity.