Birch bark utensil
The tradition of making utensils out of birch barks still exists in Inner Mongolia and some parts of neighboring Heilongjiang province. Due to a shortage of pottery or ceramics in the past, some nomadic ethnic groups living in North China, such as Mengol, Oroqen, Daur, and Ewenki, used birch bark to make daily utensils.
Nomadic ethnic groups preferred to use birch bark utensils largely because they are portable, durable, waterproof, and resistant to corrosion.
There are four steps to making birch bark utensils: peeling the birch bark, soaking or boiling it in water until it softens, cutting and sewing and finally, decorating it with beautiful patterns.
As the living style of nomadic groups changed, birch bark utensils became less common. On the brink of disappearing all together, the traditional craft needs protection.
Daur field hockey
Field hockey, called "Beikuo" in the Daur language, is a traditional sport with a long history. According to records, a sport called "hitting a ball while walking", which is similar to the present field hockey, was very popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). While it gradually disappeared in other parts of China, it has been passed down from one generation to another in the Daur regions.
The stick the Daur people used to play the game was about one meter long, mostly made of oak, and hooked at the bottom. The ball is made of apricot root or felt and is as big as a tennis ball.
On each festival or happy occasion, the Daur people will hold a "Beikuo" game. At night, they will play the game with a fireball made up of birch tree knots.
Mongolian wrestling
Boke, the Mongolian word for wrestling, has a history of more than 2,000 years. It is a rugged hand-to-hand sport, relying more on raw physical power than a wide variety of techniques. It is loved by Mongolian athletes, scholars and statesmen for its unique combination of athleticism and aesthetics.
The Mongolian way of wrestling has different rules, methods, uniforms and fields from the Chinese form and sumo in Japan. Wrestlers are matched by arrangement or by drawing straws. The judges enjoy high prestige and command universal respect. Half of the contestants are eliminated each round in the sudden death competition.
As soon as the judge gives an order to start, the opponents shake hands to show respect to each other, and then begin wrestling. There is no time limit, and the opponents can use any method or moves they want, such as pulling, kicking, tripping, pushing, holding or lifting. However, holding your opponent's legs, arbitrarily kicking, or pulling down his trousers is not allowed. Whoever touches the ground with any part of his body above the knees loses.
Awards are given to both contestants. The loser receives his award first, the winner second. No one goes home empty-handed. A Mongol isn't considered a real man unless he wrestles.
