(Ecns.cn)--In the hinterland of northeast China's Daxinganling Range of Inner Mongolia, an ethnic minority that lives among herds of reindeer is known as China's last hunting tribe. Yet many of those "hunters" are now living very different lifestyles.
The Reindeer Ewenki ethnic group has a population of about 230 people, mainly the descendants of tribes that came from Siberia over three hundred years ago, lived in dense primeval forests and survived by herding reindeer.
The Ewenki once lived a partially nomadic life, wandering and hunting in the forest. But in 2003, because of new policies by the government, the tribe moved out of their forest home to a nearby settlement complete with villa-style homes and cable television.
Closer to "civilization"
Previously, because the Ewenki were hunters and did not have fixed dwellings, most of the time they set up simple tents called "Zuolouzi" which were made of birch bark in summer and deerskin in winter. Reindeer were their only means of transport, which the Ewenki call "Boats of the Forest."
Because the Ewenki consider reindeer their closest friends, the government settled them in Genhe of Inner Mongolia, known as China's hometown of reindeer. 12 million yuan ($1.88 million) was spent to build houses for 231 Ewenki people, who now dwell in villas with an average area of over 80 square meters.
In order to expose them to modern facilities, the government also provided furniture and equipped the houses with cable television.
Some of the Ewenki, especially the children, have already become accustomed to modern life in the city. Like other kids, they go to school, play computer games and surf the Internet.
The government provides a subsidy of 270 yuan ($42.2) to each Ewenki person every month, and gives each child who goes to school in the city 300 yuan ($46.9) a month.
