Xirong (people)
Encyclopedia
Xīróng or Rong was the collective name of various ancient nomadic tribal people who inhabited primarily in and around the extremities of ancient Huaxia
, typically to the west of the Zhou
state in the modern-day provinces of Shaanxi
, Gansu
and Ningxia
from the Zhou Dynasty
(1046 – 221 BCE) onwards, and regarded as ancestrally related to people of Chinese civilization. Following Gugong Danfu's further establishment of the Zhou Dynasty, the "Rong and Di" nomadic customs of the people were eventually abolished, which further polarized the cultural divide between those still living by the Rong's original nomadic ways, and assimilating
those living under the auspices of the Chinese kingdom.
The 7th century commentary to the Hanshu by Yan Shigu
says: "Among the various Rong in the Western Regions, the Wusun
's shape was the strangest; and the present barbarians who have green eyes and red hair, and are like a macaque, belonged to the same race as the Wusun."
, the term usually referred to various peoples in the west during early and late medieval times. Prusek suggests relations between the Rong of Zhou and the Ren tribes known in Shang
.
Xīróng was also the name of a state during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period
s of Chinese history.
From the perspective of Sinocentrism
, the western Xīróng together with the eastern Dōng Yí
(東夷/东夷), northern Běidí
(北狄) and southern Nánmán
(南蛮) were collectively called the “Four Barbarian Tribes”.Although the term “barbarian” is frequently used to describe such tribes, it does not have the connotations associated with Western barbarians of later periods such as the Huns
or Visigoths. In Chinese context this term is used to refer to “uncivilized people”, i.e. non-Chinese ethnic groups. Spade-foot three-legged pottery vessels as well as one and two handled pots were primary cultural characteristics of the Xīróng.
Many of the written records about the Xīróng deal with their activities and wars, for example The bigamy of Shēn Luò (申駱/申骆) and subjugation of the Xīróng states: "do not abandon the idea that the Marquess of Shen
’s woman is the best for Luò and the Xīróng", and so on.
valley and along the Fen River
to the Taiyuan
basin as far as the Taihang Mountains
. This would be the northwestern edge of what was then China and also the transition zone between agricultural and steppe ways of life.
says: "Among the various Rong in the Western Regions, the Wusun
's shape was the strangest; and the present barbarians who have green eyes and red hair, and are like a macaque, belonged to the same race as the Wusun."
Pullyblank thinks that the Quanrong spoke a Tibeto-Burman language.
Huaxia
Huaxia is a name often used to represent China or Chinese civilization.-Etymology:According to the historical record, Zuo Zhuan, the ancient Xia Dynasty of central China was a state that held propriety and justice in high esteem...
, typically to the west of the Zhou
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
state in the modern-day provinces of Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
, Gansu
Gansu
' is a province located in the northwest of the People's Republic of China.It lies between the Tibetan and Huangtu plateaus, and borders Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia to the north, Xinjiang and Qinghai to the west, Sichuan to the south, and Shaanxi to the east...
and Ningxia
Ningxia
Ningxia, formerly transliterated as Ningsia, is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. Located in Northwest China, on the Loess Plateau, the Yellow River flows through this vast area of land. The Great Wall of China runs along its northeastern boundary...
from the Zhou Dynasty
Zhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
(1046 – 221 BCE) onwards, and regarded as ancestrally related to people of Chinese civilization. Following Gugong Danfu's further establishment of the Zhou Dynasty, the "Rong and Di" nomadic customs of the people were eventually abolished, which further polarized the cultural divide between those still living by the Rong's original nomadic ways, and assimilating
Assimilation
Assimilation may refer to:*Assimilation , a linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to an adjacent sound...
those living under the auspices of the Chinese kingdom.
The 7th century commentary to the Hanshu by Yan Shigu
Yan Shigu
Yan Shigu , formal name Yan Zhou , but went by the courtesy name of Shigu, was a famous Chinese author and linguist of the Tang Dynasty.-Biography:Yan was born in Wannian , his ancestry was originally from Langya...
says: "Among the various Rong in the Western Regions, the Wusun
Wusun
The Wūsūn were a nomadic steppe people who, according to the Chinese histories, originally lived in western Gansu in northwest China west of the Yuezhi people...
's shape was the strangest; and the present barbarians who have green eyes and red hair, and are like a macaque, belonged to the same race as the Wusun."
Etymology
After the Zhou DynastyZhou Dynasty
The Zhou Dynasty was a Chinese dynasty that followed the Shang Dynasty and preceded the Qin Dynasty. Although the Zhou Dynasty lasted longer than any other dynasty in Chinese history, the actual political and military control of China by the Ji family lasted only until 771 BC, a period known as...
, the term usually referred to various peoples in the west during early and late medieval times. Prusek suggests relations between the Rong of Zhou and the Ren tribes known in Shang
Shang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
.
Xīróng was also the name of a state during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
s of Chinese history.
From the perspective of Sinocentrism
Sinocentrism
Sinocentrism is an ethnocentric perspective that regards China to be the center of civilization and superior to all other nations. The related but distinct concept of the superiority of the Han Chinese ethnicity both within and without China is known as Han chauvinism.- Overview and context...
, the western Xīróng together with the eastern Dōng Yí
Dongyi
Dongyi was a collective term for people in eastern China and in lands located to the east of ancient China. People referred to as Dongyi vary across the ages.The early Dongyi culture was one of earliest neolithic cultures in China....
(東夷/东夷), northern Běidí
Beidi
Beidi or Northern Di were groups of people who lived to the north of what was then China during the Zhou Dynasty. By the end of the dynasty they were mostly conquered or absorbed by the Chinese....
(北狄) and southern Nánmán
Nanman
Nanman were aboriginal tribes who lived in southwestern China. They may have been related to the Sanmiao, dated to around the 3rd century BC. The Nanman were multiple ethnic groups including the Miao, the Kinh, the Thai, and some Tibeto-Burman groups such as the Bai. There was never a single...
(南蛮) were collectively called the “Four Barbarian Tribes”.Although the term “barbarian” is frequently used to describe such tribes, it does not have the connotations associated with Western barbarians of later periods such as the Huns
Huns
The Huns were a group of nomadic people who, appearing from east of the Volga River, migrated into Europe c. AD 370 and established the vast Hunnic Empire there. Since de Guignes linked them with the Xiongnu, who had been northern neighbours of China 300 years prior to the emergence of the Huns,...
or Visigoths. In Chinese context this term is used to refer to “uncivilized people”, i.e. non-Chinese ethnic groups. Spade-foot three-legged pottery vessels as well as one and two handled pots were primary cultural characteristics of the Xīróng.
Many of the written records about the Xīróng deal with their activities and wars, for example The bigamy of Shēn Luò (申駱/申骆) and subjugation of the Xīróng states: "do not abandon the idea that the Marquess of Shen
Marquess of Shen
The Marquess of Shēn was a ruler of the State of Shēn during the Zhōu Dynasty period of Chinese history. A vassal state of the Zhōu Kings, Shēn state covered the area of modern day Nanyang City in Henan Province....
’s woman is the best for Luò and the Xīróng", and so on.
Timeline
According to Nicola Di Cosmo says that 'Rong' was a vague term for warlike foreigner. He places them from the upper Wei RiverWei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
valley and along the Fen River
Fen River
The Fen River drains the center of Shanxi Province, China. It rises in the Guancen Mountains of Ningwu County in northeast Shanxi, flows southeast into the basin of Taiyuan, and then south through the central valley of Shanxi before turning west to join the Yellow River west of Hejin. The Fen and...
to the Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
basin as far as the Taihang Mountains
Taihang Mountains
The Taihang Mountains are a Chinese mountain range running down the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in Henan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces. The range extends over 400 km from north to south and has an average elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. The principal peak is Xiao Wutaishan...
. This would be the northwestern edge of what was then China and also the transition zone between agricultural and steppe ways of life.
- c. 964 BCE: King Mu of ZhouKing Mu of ZhouKing Mu of Zhou or King Mu of Chou or Mu Wang or Mu Wang was the fifth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. The dates of his reign are 976-922 BC or 956-918 BC.-Life:...
defeated the QuanrongQuanrongThe Quǎnróng , literally "Dog Rong", were an ethnic group active in the north western part of China during the Zhōu and later dynasties. Their language is classified as part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages family....
and the following year attacked the Western Rong and Xurong. - 859 BCE: King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)King Yi of Zhou (Ji Xie)King Yi of Zhou or King I of Chou was the ninth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 885–878 BC or 865–858 BC....
: Zhou capital attacked by the Rong of TaiyuanTaiyuanTaiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
. - 877-841 BCE: King Li of ZhouKing Li of ZhouKing Li of Zhou was the tenth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 877–841 BC or 857–842 BC ....
: Western Rong and XianyunXianyunThe Xianyun is the name of an ancient nomadic tribe that invaded China during legenary times.They are usually associated with the Xiongnu.-Overview:...
raid deep into Zhou territory - 827-782 BCE: King Xuan of ZhouKing Xuan of ZhouKing Xuan of Zhou was the eleventh sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty. Estimated dates of his reign are 827-782 BC or 827/25-782 BC.He worked to restore royal authority after the Gong He interregnum. He fought the 'Western Barbarians' and another group on the Huai River to the southeast. In...
sends the State of Qin to attack Western Rong who submit and cede territory, sends the State of Jin against the Northern Rong (probably 788); following year destroys the RongJiang clan. - 781-771 BCE: King You of ZhouKing You of ZhouKing You of Zhou was the twelfth sovereign of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty and the last of Western Zhou Dynasty. He reigned from 781 to 771 BCE.In 780 BCE, a major earthquake hit Guanzhong...
is killed by the Quanrong, ending the Eastern Zhou Era. - During the Western Zhou various Rong groups are interspersed among the cities of the North China Plain. It seems that the BeidiBeidiBeidi or Northern Di were groups of people who lived to the north of what was then China during the Zhou Dynasty. By the end of the dynasty they were mostly conquered or absorbed by the Chinese....
were pressing the Rong from the north. - 714 BCE: Northern (Bei) or Mountain (Shan) Rong attack the State of ZhengZheng (state)Zheng （) was a vassal state in China during the Zhou Dynasty located in the centre of ancient China in modern day Henan Province on the North China Plain about east of the royal capital at Luoyang. It was the most powerful of the vassal states at the beginning of the Eastern Zhou...
. - 706 BCE: The same group attacks Qi.
- 693-662 BCE: Duke Zhuang of Lu (魯莊公), ruler of the State of LuLu (state)The State of Lu, was a Zhou Dynasty ducal vassal state before and during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history. Founded in the 10th century BC, its dukes used Ji as their family name. The first duke was Boqin |Qi]] and to the south by the powerful state of Chu...
has many wars with the Rong. - 664 BCE: Shan Rong attack the State of YanYan (state)Yān was a state during the Western Zhou, Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history. Its capital was Ji...
. - 662 BCE: BeidiBeidiBeidi or Northern Di were groups of people who lived to the north of what was then China during the Zhou Dynasty. By the end of the dynasty they were mostly conquered or absorbed by the Chinese....
drive the Rong out of TaiyuanTaiyuanTaiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
. - 650 BCE: Beirong attacked by the States of Qi and XuXu (state)The State of Xu was a vassal state of ancient China during the Zhou Dynasty and Spring and Autumn Period ruled by descendants of the Yíng family. Xu was a Dongyi state also known as Xurong , Xuyi or Xufang , all meaning either "Xu barbarians" or "Xu Proper". Xu was one of the largest and most...
. - after 650 the Rong are rarely mentioned. They seem to have been mostly absorbed by the States of Qi and Jin.
- 314 BCE: Qin defeated the last hostile Rong tribe,, threats from unified nomadic incursions would eventually reappear under the XiongnuXiongnuThe Xiongnu were ancient nomadic-based people that formed a state or confederation north of the agriculture-based empire of the Han Dynasty. Most of the information on the Xiongnu comes from Chinese sources...
identity during the subsequent QinQin DynastyThe Qin Dynasty was the first imperial dynasty of China, lasting from 221 to 207 BC. The Qin state derived its name from its heartland of Qin, in modern-day Shaanxi. The strength of the Qin state was greatly increased by the legalist reforms of Shang Yang in the 4th century BC, during the Warring...
and HanHan DynastyThe Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
Dynasties.
Ethnicity
The 7th century commentary to the Hanshu by Yan ShiguYan Shigu
Yan Shigu , formal name Yan Zhou , but went by the courtesy name of Shigu, was a famous Chinese author and linguist of the Tang Dynasty.-Biography:Yan was born in Wannian , his ancestry was originally from Langya...
says: "Among the various Rong in the Western Regions, the Wusun
Wusun
The Wūsūn were a nomadic steppe people who, according to the Chinese histories, originally lived in western Gansu in northwest China west of the Yuezhi people...
's shape was the strangest; and the present barbarians who have green eyes and red hair, and are like a macaque, belonged to the same race as the Wusun."
Pullyblank thinks that the Quanrong spoke a Tibeto-Burman language.
See also
- Yú (Yeo)Yú (Yeo)余, 餘 is Chinese surname. 余, 呂 is Chinese and Korean surname.-余 :余 is Yu, original dialect is Yá, Yú, Yur, Yeo.origin;*Yu from Xi Rong, or Rong Di*Yu from surname Xi of Xia Dynasty*Yu from Zang people of Gansu...
, surname of Xirong - Yu, surname of Xirong
- SinocentrismSinocentrismSinocentrism is an ethnocentric perspective that regards China to be the center of civilization and superior to all other nations. The related but distinct concept of the superiority of the Han Chinese ethnicity both within and without China is known as Han chauvinism.- Overview and context...
- NanmanNanmanNanman were aboriginal tribes who lived in southwestern China. They may have been related to the Sanmiao, dated to around the 3rd century BC. The Nanman were multiple ethnic groups including the Miao, the Kinh, the Thai, and some Tibeto-Burman groups such as the Bai. There was never a single...
- QuanrongQuanrongThe Quǎnróng , literally "Dog Rong", were an ethnic group active in the north western part of China during the Zhōu and later dynasties. Their language is classified as part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages family....
- DongyiDongyiDongyi was a collective term for people in eastern China and in lands located to the east of ancient China. People referred to as Dongyi vary across the ages.The early Dongyi culture was one of earliest neolithic cultures in China....