Oroqen people did hunting、fishing and gathering for living from generation to generation, hunting was the main source for Oroqen to get means of subsistence.
Before 17 centuries, Oroqen have the complete blood relations whenthey are in northern Heilongjiang.In the period of patrilineal family Commune, hunting organizations called "Wulileng" as the unit. Wulileng" is Oroqen language, means "Descendants", referring to the same ancestors of the generations, they live in one “Wulileng” (made up with several of "the pillar of immortal" which is hunters house, it made of 20 wooden sticks into a conical trunk, coverage of birch bark or roe deer skin in order to block wind、rain and cold, people living in there).The hunting tools during this period, have bow and arrow, bar gun, deer whistles and small amount of irons, but most of the bar gun or bow and arrow are "bone Zu" and "Stone Zu", auxiliary tools have Birch boats, reindeers and snowboarding.。In the spring, summer and autumn hunting season, the whole family have to go together, "Wulileng" with the migration. Male hunters go hunting in winter, elderly and children stay in place.Collective hunting used to use surround way. In the places where have more beast, "Wulileng" members surrounded it, people shouted and move closer to the catures, with clubs, spears, bows and arrows and other equipments.Hunter used wooden fence between the two streams and cut out the way of beast. leaving a gap and set up arrows or traps underside. when the beasts escape, they would be shoot by arrow ot fall into the trap.In addition, hunter had set up some “Caps” and “arrows” where wild animals are. This is a very ancient hunting method. Distributed according to the average of person, hunting just for wearing and eating.
After Qing Dynasty, Oroqen’s life have changed greatly.
In the beginning of 17 century, the ministries of fishing and hunting people in Heilongjiang River was reunified by “Houjin” , Oroqen was divided "Eight cattle road,Since the year of Chongde, Czarist Russia invaded Heilongjiang River Basin constantly, resulting in Oroqen and other ethnic groups moved in to Da and xiao Xing’anling mountain from the north of Heilongjiang in the decade of Shunzhi.Qing dynast opened “Chulehan”(commerce trade ), in order to promote the contacts between Oroqen and other nationalities, Woks, axes, knives, iron bars, guns ,horses and other implements entered the Oroqen life. ”。The first entered is gun which rifle range about 50m-60m, the execution larger than bows and arrows, but guns are very inconvenient to use it, so that hunter used guns and the bow and arrows at the same period more than 200 years.
In the late nineteenth century, a "Bielidanke" hunting gun entered Oroqen production, which loading bullet made by themselves, range approximately 200 meters, it’s easy to use and enhancing productivity greatly .After the Republic of China, there are more advanced guns like "Lianzhu", "79", "38" have entered Oroqen production. The production was developed by promoted hunting tools, blood clan society disintegrate rapid, hunting tools have been owned by various private.Monogamous nuclear family as an independent unit of production and consumption, and hunting organizations in the form of "Anga" ("Anga" means "around the campfire” in Orogen language, refers to the temporary hunting group).。During hunting season, the households in "Wulileng" composed a several hunting group "Anga".Have to elect the "Tartan Da" (temporary team leader), he is a experienced hunter with justice, decided to discuss the location with everyone, distribution, and allocated the task.。He often suffer first, and work with others, they take their worst one when distribution of prey. 。"Anga" should appointed "Tuaqin," he is young people with poor hunting skills, he responsible for cooking and take caring for horses, sometimes, this role played by women as well. 。"Tueaqin" distribution of prey like other hunters, get other hunters help as well.The hunting location about hundred meter or several hundred meters. Hunting hours about 10 days, half or 1-2 months. 。"Anga" organized hunting, single hunting appeared in this period, they hunting besides the "Wulileng", to solve their own problems which provisional eat, one day back.。Go hunting by group, hunting alone after arrived and got prey into his own.。Someone who has high technology with good guns and horses would not go with others, but such people were often looked down upon by others.
After long-time hunting, Oroqen people controlled the characteristics and habits of the animals, they had fixed hunting arrangements throughout the year:During 2 -3 months, was "Deer Embryo" period; During 5-6 months, was "Deer velvet" period; During September to the snow, was "deer around" period, the season of hunting deer and jail.This period also called “red around period”, in addition, might hunting as well.
The primary animals were fighted by Oroqen are: Red deer, Jail, Roe deer, wild boar and bear something like that, These animal’s meat、fur、bones and muscles are the main substances of nomadic Oroqen. Velvet, Lubian, deer tail, bear bile, and the tendon of Jail and deer are the valuable medicinal materials. Other fine fur animals are mink, fox, weasels, squirrels, lynx, otter; birds are flying dragon, black-bone chicken and so on.
Oroqen people not only have the ability of ride and shoot, but also have many ingenious hunting methods with flexible.For example “squat puddle”- hide in the jungle beside the puddle at night or early morning, waiting for jail or deer come to drink and ambuscade them. "Dug alkali and salt pit" - use of deer’s habit that is like licking the alkali and salt, waiting for an ambush at night; Lure hunting" – use of the period of spouse in the autumn to find time to blow "Wulian" (Deer Whistle), induced deer and shot;The same way, during the roe deer whelp in the spring to find time to blow "Roe deer whistle" to lure female roe deer and shot.The way hunt ferocious bear and wild boar, should use of "hunting dogs" approach to aid in hunting;After snow in winter, with "Distinction track" to judge what animal is, and when and where to gone，then decided whether to chase or cut around;Also with "under cover", "under the clip", "under the arrow" for ambush first, and arrested the animals from here; "burning to cite beast, set fire to find angle" was fire burning in the spring, so the grass grow, shot when roe deer eating grass (which is the hunting methods in the early period, no later).
Oroqen were all settle down in 1958, in consideration of the habits and feelings after long-time hunting, government retained a certain amount of hunting production until January 23, 1996.
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1、After the establishment of the Oroqen Autonomous, In 1952, government distributed guns and ammunitions to support the production of hunters hunting, and bought products at reasonable prices.
2、From 1953, The government guide them to buildup a temporary group and perennial group to help each other.
3、Primary production co-operatives seted up in 1956, consists of hunting teams and industry teams.
4、 From 1954 to 1958, after Oroqen Autonomous settled, the economy was “hunting first and developed diversified economy gradually". The policy of "nursing and hunting" was issued in 1958, and defined the first, second and three types of protected species list in 1962. At this period, hunting target was issued and hunting under the guidance of the program. Approved by the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Government, Oroqen have 25-30 red deer each year, roe deer below 20. Government not only replace the newer guns for hunters, but also organized hunting teams gone to farside area for hunting.
5、After 1979, Oroqen Autonomous economy become to diversified development, household contract responsibility system in particular, this trend is more pronounced.
6、In 1980, Oroqen Autonomous renewal "7.62" rifles, semi-automatic rifles, and provided sufficient ammunition.
7、January 23, 1996, Oroqen Autonomous carry out preserve.