China's Dagur Minority - Sino-Platonic Papers

1.5 EconomyAgriculture was practiced as early as the mid-17th century and, until about 100 yearsago, the decision as to how much land to cultivate depended on population andlivestock numbers. Dagur seldom stored grain. Owing to the lucrative fur trade,agriculture at this time was often supplemented by hunting. Post-liberation Dagurhave made a sustained effort for 30 years to bolster the economy although at times,it has been adversely affected by erroneous policies, especially those of the 10 yearsof the Cultural Revolution [ 1966-19761. Achievements have been realized inconfirmation of longterm efforts. Morin Dawaa illustrates this. By 1980, totalagricultural output had reached 130 million metric ton or, more than 259 kilogramsper capita.1.6 HistoryCertain mid-17th century materials specifically mention "Dagur." Thus Dagur havea recorded history of 300 years. Qing Dynasty historical records describe extensiveeconomic and military contact between Dagur and Manchu. According to thesechronicles, Dagur acknowledged Manchu rule. They also depict heroic Dagur featsduring struggle against Russian expeditions into the Northeast. The Qing imposed theEight Banner System upon the Dagur for 200 years, which later gave way to thecounty system of the Nationalist government. Dagur obligations under the EightBanner System were to: (1) provide army conscripts for military expeditions againstthe Russians for the second Opium War of 1860, for the Sino-Japanese War of 1894,for the campaign of resistance against the Eight Powers' Army, for other militarycampaigns, and also for then-current uprisings; (2) garrison the frontier; and (3)regularly patrol the Sino-Russian border. One result of Manchu military duty waswidespread population dispersal, explaining the present existence of a number ofwidely spaced, sparsely populated Dagur communities.Other obligations included yearly tribute to the Manchu emperor, usually in theform of valuable furs and marten pelts. All male adults were responsible for thistribute. Trade in marten pelts with others was strictly prohibited by the Qing. Inaddition, marten pelts were extorted by corrupt officials using quasi-legal means suchas imposed cheap prices. This resulted in continuous resistance followed by punitivesanctions.The advent of the 20th century saw the Qing promulgating a new migration policyin the Heilongjiang area for the settling and wider distribution of Han Chinese. Thesame policy was also pursued by Nationalists. Increasing migration effectively openedup a vast area of arable land inhabited by indigenous Dagur. This profoundly affectedDagur life and the local economy. Advanced fanning implements and technologywere introduced, which provided impetus to Dagur agricultural development.Conversely, differences between typical Han agriculture life and the semi-agricultural,herding, and hunting Dagur way of life, initiated conflicts. These rose fromcontinuing destruction of Dagur culture, social and economic polarization, racialdiscrimination expressed in unequal law enforcement, and compulsory militaryservice, and burdensome taxes. This, in turn, led to many years of rebellions againstcorrupt officials and the government army during the Qing and Nationalist periods.Today, Dagur still commemorate two Dagur heroes, Shaolung and Daifu, whoemerged during this period.The Dagur were liberated from Nationalist rule by the Communist Party of Chinain 1948. Since that time, more and more Dagur have joined the CPC. An autonomous