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The Russians
Russians live in the autonomous regions of Xinjiang and
Inner Mongolia. They moved to Xinjiang in three stages. The first ones
came from Tsarist Russia after the 18th century, more came after the 19th,
and the last ones after Russia's 1917 revolution. The reason for their
emigration is unclear; however, in the latter part of the 19th century,
Russia sought to safeguard her trade by occupying Ili. Most of Ili was
later returned to China, but this may account for the presence of Russians
in Xinjiang. In Xinjiang, they live in the towns of Ili, Tacheng, Altay,
and Urumqi. As of 1987 there were also 7,000 Russians in Northeast China
in Heilongjiang Province. These Russians are "half-breeds," descendents
of fourth and fifth generation intermarried Russians and Chinese.
The Russians practice the religion of the Orthodox Eastern
Church accompanied by folk habits and customs. Because of their Orthodox
faith, they celebrate both Christmas and Easter. As in the West, Christmas
is on the 25th of December. Before the 25th, each family cleans out its
house while the housewife prepares delicacies. The day before Christmas
they fast. On Christmas day a clergyman goes from house to house reading
prayers and congratulating the people. After all this the people gather
together to celebrate.
Easter is celebrated in April. Forty days prior, a fast
is observed during which certain activities are prohibited. Believers will
only eat one full meal and two half-meals a day. In addition to celebrating
ceremonies, believers say, "Christ has resurrected" and kiss each other
when they meet.
Russian weddings are solemn. The bride dresses in a gown
like a white swan. The bridegroom fetches her early in the morning with
a horse-drawn carriage. During the ceremony, the two stand before the image
of Madonna while the priest asks them questions. They then exchange rings
and the priest prays for them and gives them honey to symbolize the sweetness
of their marriage. Anniversaries are held sacred, each with a special name.
China's Russians use a "black bathroom" for bathing. The
bathroom is a room with one compartment for bathing and the other for dressing.
The bather lies on a wooden frame and pads his body with birch branches
while steam rises from hot stones which have had water poured over them.
For more information about this people
group
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