BEIJING — For most of this century, being a Manchu meant suffering shame, discrimination and abuse. Although the tribe of horseback warriors had conquered China in the 17th century, founding … ...

All the collections in the museum show the intelligence of the Manchu people, and the deeply rooted Changbai Mountain culture. Over time fewer and fewer people understand Manchu language and history.

These exhibitions comprehensively cover Manchu history and intangible cultural heritage, fully showcasing the rich history and culture of the Manchu people.

However, after centuries of contact with Han Chinese, Manchu culture seems to be fading from memory and only a handful of people can still speak the Manchu language.

As people growing up in China, we find that the relationship between Han Chinese and Manchu is unconventional. The majority ethnicity in China is Han.

“Benxi’s Manchu paper-cutting is more than just a decorative art—it’s a living tradition that tells the story of our people,” said a representative from the Benxi Department of Culture.

Though the Manchu tried to protect their own language and culture, amalgamation with the Han people, who account for more than 90 per cent of China's population, was unavoidable.

Additionally, the museum has enriched its collection by soliciting various artifacts that reflect the long-standing history and culture of the Manchu people in Jilin.

Research has found that the Han people used to hate Manchu, during China’s Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), because the Communist party labeled Manchu people as an oppressive enemy class.