What customs do the Manchus have?
As one of the ethnic minorities in China, the Manchu have a long history and unique cultural traditions. Its customs and habits are rich and colorful, covering many aspects such as food, clothing, festivals, weddings and funerals. The following is a detailed introduction to the main customs and habits of the Manchu people.
1. Food customs

The Manchu food culture is unique, focusing on pasta and meat, and is especially good at making pastries. The following are representatives of Manchu traditional diet:
| Food name | Features |
|---|---|
| saqima | A dessert made with flour, eggs and sugar and has a soft texture |
| white meat blood sausage | Made from pork and pig blood, it tastes delicious |
| Pastry | There are many kinds of traditional Manchu noodles, such as bean flour dumplings, sticky cake dumplings, etc. |
2. Clothing and customs
The traditional costumes of the Manchu people are represented by cheongsam and mandarin jacket, which have distinctive national characteristics. The following are the main features of Manchu costumes:
| clothing type | Features |
|---|---|
| cheongsam | The traditional clothing of Manchu women later evolved into the modern cheongsam |
| mandarin jacket | Manchu men’s traditional coat, short and double-breasted |
| flag shoes | High-soled shoes worn by Manchu women with high heels in the middle |
3. Festival customs
The Manchu people have rich and colorful traditional festivals, including festivals shared with other ethnic groups and celebrations unique to their own ethnic group. The following are the main festivals of the Manchu people:
| holiday name | time | Ways to celebrate |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Festival | The first day of the first lunar month | Put up window grilles, eat dumplings, worship ancestors |
| Dragon Boat Festival | The fifth day of the fifth lunar month | Eating rice dumplings and racing dragon boats |
| gold award day | October 13th of the lunar calendar | A unique festival of the Manchu people to celebrate the naming of the nation |
4. Weddings and funerals customs
The Manchu wedding and funeral customs are unique and reflect their traditional culture and values. The following are the main customs:
| custom type | Features |
|---|---|
| wedding | There are six rites: "accepting the gift", "asking for the name", "accepting the gift", "accepting the invitation", "asking for the date" and "welcoming the bride" |
| funeral | Burial is carried out, and there are rituals such as "stopping the spirit", "reporting to the temple", and "going out for funerals". |
| fertility | There are celebration ceremonies such as "Washing Three", "Full Moon", and "Hundred Days" |
5. Religious beliefs
The traditional belief of the Manchu people is mainly shamanism, which is also influenced by Buddhism and Taoism. The following are the characteristics of Manchu religious beliefs:
| Belief type | Features |
|---|---|
| Shamanism | Worship the gods of nature and have a dance ritual |
| Buddhism | Greatly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism |
| ancestor worship | Pay attention to ancestor worship and have a family tree tradition |
6. Language and writing
The Manchu people have their own language and writing. Although more Manchu people now speak Chinese, the Manchu language and Manchu script are still protected and passed down.
| language | Features |
|---|---|
| Manchu | Belongs to the Manchu-Tungusic language family of the Altaic language family |
| Manchu | Created in 1599, based on Mongolian writing |
Conclusion
The customs and habits of the Manchu people are rich and colorful, reflecting the long history and unique cultural traditions of this nation. With the development of the times, some traditional customs are gradually disappearing, but many distinctive customs are still preserved and passed down, becoming an important part of the treasure house of Chinese culture.
Understanding and learning the customs and habits of the Manchus not only helps to enhance national unity, but also allows us to better appreciate the charm of China's multiculturalism. We should value and protect these precious intangible cultural heritages so that they can gain new vitality in the new era.
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