Goldi in Northeast China
By V. N. Jernakov, Oakland, Calif.
In August 1951, the author made an expedition to the Goldi village,
Kaichingk'ou, situated on the right bank of the Amur River, 30 miles
north-east of the mouth of the Sungari River iu the Fuchin County of
Sungkiang (now Heilungkiang) Province, Northeast China. Once spread
over a considerable area around the Lower Sungari River and confluence
of the Amur and Ussuri rivers, the Goldi are now limited to a few villages.
The Goldi have a fishing and hunting economy, although recently they
have been organized into a fishing co-operative and have been encouraged
to grow crops.
The term Goldi came into use in literature in the middle of the 19th
century. Now the Goldi living in U.S.S.R. are known as Nanai. In
China they are called Hoche. They call themselves Heje. Formerly the
Chinese called the Goldi Yü-pi Ta-tzu, which means "Fishskin bar¬
barians".
The Goldi belong to the Tungus tribe. Of all national minorities of
China, they are the smallest group. In China there are only 700 Goldi,
of whom about 600 are in the Northeast of China, in Heilungldang
Province. The Goldi live in the following areas of the Heilungkiang
Province: Yüehlaichen, on the Sungari River (two families), Kaiching¬
k'ou (14 families), Etu, Erhchili, Chingteli, Hsiapacha (now here es¬
tabhshed a Goldi National Hsiang), Fuyiian ou the Amur River, Hai-
ch'ingchen and Ssupai on the Ussmi River. In Ssupai, of the 38 families
25 are Goldi.
At the beginning of the Ch'ing Dynasty the Huaohuan and Fuchin
counties were inhabited by Goldi. During this period the Goldi fell
under the Manchu Government aud were obliged to pay an annual tax
of one sable per one male working soul.
For collecting of this tax thefe was a special officer with the rank of
lieutenant-colonel. In 1870 the Goldi received the same rights as the
Manchus. With the establishment of the Kuang Hsü Government, on
the order of Sanhsing Fudutun all living Goldi were registered by Banner
troops and were subdivided into three companies. This was the beginning
of their military service (P. N. Mbn§ikov, 1916, p. 431). They belong to
the Yellow-with-Red-Border Banner.
174 V. N. Jebnakov
A well-known explorer of Manchuria, Dr. E. E. Anebt (1904, pp. 188—
189), writes that, in 1896, below Sanhsing in the lower reaches of the
Sungari River he found only Goldi boats, built of three planks. He
writes that the Goldi lands started from Susu Village (now Yüehlaichen)
A sketch-map of tho distribution of Goldi in Heilungkiang Province, Northeast China.
situated 95 mUes to the north-east of Sanhsing. From Susu to the mouth
of the Sungari River he counted about 15 single huts. He also mentions
that, several years earlier, there had been established a Goldi border
mihtia in which the Goldi clans were obhged to serve.
Statistical data of Dr. Ling Chu-sheng in the period 1930—1931 give
the distribution ofthe Goldi as follows: 400 men along the Sungari River,
380 along the Amur River and 400 along the Ussmi River.
The centre of the Goldi settlements along the Sungari River, in the
beginning of the 20th centmy, was Gardang (Gaerhtang) Village, two
miles east of Fuchin Town. According to 0. Lattimobe (1933, p. 7), in
Goldi in Northeast China 175
1930 there were still six Goldi familes of whioh two possessed land. After
World War II no Goldi at all wore left in Gardang.
Previously the Goldi were settled mostly along the right bank, with
some of them on the left bank, of the Sungari River as far south as Ilan
(Sanhsing). In Ilan was the Goldi guard, and Goldi hunters came to
Ilan to sell their furs. During the 1945 war many Goldi were killed and
those who lived along the Sungari River moved to the Amur River.
Now the only Goldi families on the Sungari River are in Yüehlaichen.
The cause of the decrease iu the Goldi population was not only the
war but also lack of food and ignorance of hygiene and elementary
medical requirements, early marriage and the shortage of women. Some
of the Goldi women intermarried with Chinese.
A typical Goldi is of medium height, lean and strongly built. His face
is flat with high cheekbones, the eyes slanted, as with the Mongol, the
forehead is low, the bridge of the nose is flat and the nostrils well cut
and delicate. He usually has black hair and a thin beard.
The Goldi are very good-natmed, friendly, trustful, honest, respecting
their elders, and are always ready to help anyone in need. They get on
well with each other.
Tuberculosis, small-pox, typhus, venereal diseases, trachoma, rheuma¬
tism are diseases and disabüities from which they suffer.
The language of the Goldi belongs to the Tungus-Manchuriau group
of the Altai family of languages. Their language has much in common
with the Manchu language. Almost all Goldi know Chinese. Some of them
can speak and write Manchu. In their language can be found words of
Chinese and Russian origin ; for instance : egg-plant they call che-tzu as
do the Chinese; spichki "matches" and mylo "soap" they borrowed from the Russian.
The Goldi along the Amur River speak a different dialect from the
Goldi along the Ussuri River. Children of the Goldi go to Chinese schools.
The Goldi's main occupations are fishing aud hunting, but they have
started to grow maize. Itahau millet, soya beans and tobacco. Nearly
all have a vegetable garden where they cultivate egg-plants, marrows,
potatoes, pumpkins and cucumbers.
For the Goldi who hve along the rivers, naturally fishing plays the most
important role. They fish almost-all the year round, with the exception
of the hot period.
The most productive time for fishing is autumn (September) when
Salmon Keta (Oncorhynchus keta) come from the sea into the upper
reaches of the river to spawn. This period of Salmon Keta migration lasts
about three weeks.
The Goldi catch fish by nets, seine (kou-kang-tzu), harpoons and a
176 V. N. Jernakov
special fishing rod — umuhe. They are especially skilful with the harpoon
in summer, as well as in winter. In winter they catch by cutting holes in
the ice, although this is primarily their hunting season.
The Sungari, Amur and Ussuri rivers abound in fish. About 30 species
of economic importance are found in the basin of tho Amm.
The most important fish for the Goldi aro: Salmon Keta, Common
Carp (Cyprinus carpio), Cliinese Ide (Ctenopharyngodou idella), Chinese
Wels or Slioat Fish (Parasilurus aso tus). Common Catfish (Pseudobagrus
fulvidraco), Chinese White Fish (Hypophtalmichtys molitrix), Amurian
Pike (Esox reicherti), Manchurian Sturgeon (Acipcnser schrencki). False
Salmon (Elopichtys bambusa), Cruscian Golden Carp (Carassius caras-
sius morpha-gibelio).
In winter the main occupation of tho Goldi is hunting, at which they
are very skilful. They hunt with rifles and dogs and catch valuable fur-
bearing animals in various types of traps. Usually the hunters use skis.
In the Kaichingk'ou region can be found many different wild animals :
Sable (Martes zibellina). Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula).
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Manchurian Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris
mantchuricus), Lynx (Felis lynx), Manchurian Weasel or Kolinsky
(Mustela sibirica), Alpine Weasel (Mustela altaica). Badger (Meles meles).
Raccoon Dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides). Black Bear (Selenarctos tibe-
tanus), Manchurian Hare (Lepus mandschuricus). Among ungulates
there arc Manchurian Wapiti (Cervus canadensis xanthopygus). Roe
Deer (Capreolus capreolus). Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Musk Deer (Moschus
moschiferus).
The best time for hunting is after the first snow, when the fur of wild
animals is of good quahty.
In summer the Goldi hunt Manchurian Wapiti for antlers in velvet.
Of game birds Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus pallasi) are the most
important for the Goldi.
They also collect wild fruits and nuts.
Among domestic animals the Goldi breed pigs. Some own horses aud
cattle and even poultry. Nearly every family has a dog.
The main food of the Goldi is fish, predominantly Salmon Keta. The
fish is eaten raw, frozen, boiled, fried, sun-dried (yukola) or smoked.
When the Goldi want fish, they go to tho back-water (branch of the
Amur River), take a boat and, with a harpoon, in less than thirty
minutes catch enough fish for a meal. It is interesting to note that the
back-water near Kaichingk'ou is protected from the winds by the hül
called by the Chinese "Tiao-yü-tai" (Fishing terrace).
Women prepare and serve the meal, but they do not eat until after
the men are finished.
1. A gencml view of Kaichingk'ou Village, Fuchin County, Heilungkiang Province.
3. Interior view of Goldi earthen-hut. In the centre is the stove and along the back wall is the k'ang on which tho family sleeps.
5. A Goldi Futar (Fu) old woman 66 years of age in profile.
Goldi in Northeast China 177
In winter Goldi eat the meat of wUd animals such as Roe Deer, Wild
Boar, Manchmian Wapiti. For cereals they use Itahan millet and maize
(as a porridge). Vegetables in their diet include egg-plants, marrows,
potatoes, pumpkins, onions and cucumbers.
As food they also use Manchurian walnuts, cedar nuts, hazel-nuts,
the fruits of hawthorn (Crataegus piunatifida), common bird-cherry
(Padus asiatica), Dahurian rose (Rosa davurica) and Siberian crab (Malus
pallasiana).
Mosquitoes and flies in Kaichingk'ou are a real pest. At dusk the Goldi
light smudge-fires near their house to repel insects.
The Goldi use Chinese porcelain uteusüs and chopsticks. Formerly
they made their own utensils from wood, mainly cups and spoons.
For the Goldi, the most valuable trees are the conifers — Korean cedar
(Pinus korainensis) and Jezo fir (Picea jezonensis) — from which they
buQd houses, boats and household utensils. Of the deciduous trees, the
most important is thc Asian broad-leaved white birch (Betula platy-
phylla) from which they make sledges aud various household utensils.
They find the birch is longer lasting, harder and does not leave any taste
when used for utensils.
The Goldi men drink shao-chiu (Chinese spirits distilled from grain)
and together with tho women and boys smoke tobacco, iu the form of
cigarettes, but also in home-made as well as Chinese pipes.
Now the Goldi wear clothes of Chinese type, although clothes made
from fish and animal skins, especially trousers and knee-caps, are still
used. In winter their footwear is made from fish skin; in summer it is
made from the sldn of the Roe Deer or Manchurian Wapiti, but the
children go barefoot.
The hunters wear fur hats with ear-flaps and sleeveless garments of
fur.
The women wear long cotton dressing-gowns, mostly black, as well
as rings, bracelets and ear-rings made of gold and silver.
Living as they do along the rivers, the Goldi travel a great deal by
water, using wooden boats (wei-hu) made of three planks with the bottom
plank rising up at the bow. They propel the wei-hu by two oars at the
stern. Now the Kaichingk'ou Fishing Co-operative has a motor boat.
In winter, when the rivers are frozen, the Goldi ride on horseback or
in horse sledges. They also use Chinese carts.
Almost every Goldi has one or two pairs of skis. These are of two kinds:
the more commonly used is smaller aud without fur bindings, and the
other is longer, wider and with fur. When they ski they use ski sticks.
The Goldi hve in fangtzu of the Chinese type aud in earth huts. In
the case of the fangtzu the exposed facade is to the south.
12 ZDMG 122
178 V. N. Jernakov
The earth huts are dug about four feet into the ground and have the
front and back walls made of sun-di'ied bricks. The floor is earthen. The
top is covered by a straw roof descending to the earth. To prevent the
straw from blowing off thc roof, several poles are used to fasten it. The
door is in the middle ofthe front wall, with a window above and one on
each side of it. Oil-paper is pasted to the window frames. Steps are dug
out leading down to the door. In the centre of the earth huts stands a
stove of mud. Along the back wall is a k'mig — a mat-covered platform,
built of brick or earth, five feet wide and running the length of the wall.
The earth huts are built very near to one another and there aro no fences
between. Near them u.suall}' stands sheds housing barrels, buckets and
baskets.
Tho Goldi also live in fangtzu consisting of two or three chien or sections.
Fangtzu are built from sun-dried bricks and roofed with straw, doors and
window frames are of wood. In some windows, instead of oil-paper they
put glass, lu the fangtzu k'angs are situated along the north, west and
south walls. Among the buQdings most characterLstio of the Goldi are
barns on pillars up to five feet high in order to keep tho rats from the
food. They are built of wood in a square or rectangular form. The roof
may be gabled or flat, made of straw or wood. There is a door in the
front wall of tho barn on one side. Underneath are usually stored the
sledges.
Thc Goldi still preserve their tribal divisions. Those hving in the lower
reaches of the Sungari and Amur rivers are divided into several exoga-
mouH elans {hala): Birdaki (tho Chinese form of the narae is Pi), Futar
(Chinese name Fu), Gekir (Chinese name Ko), Kilon (Chinese name Yü),
Kumara (Chinese name Ho), Luk (Chinese name Lu), Mcngir (Chinese
namo Mong), Shimuru (Chinese name Su), Udiugke (Chinese name Wu).
Formerly the largest clans of the Sungari River (in Fuchin) were the
Kilen and the Futar. For convenience, the Goldi use Chinese family
names, but these do not always coincide with their clan names.
In Kaichingk'ou live Goldi of the Lower Sungari River clans Kilen,
Birdaki and Fütar. They left the lower reaches of the Sungari River
during tho 1945 war and settled in Kaichingk'ou.
The religious beliefs of the Goldi are shamanism with animism as the
chief principle. Formerly all Goldi were shamanists. It is reported that
there was only one shaman in the region (iu Etu) but even he had given
up his worshiping. Also there were no Burkhans (wooden god-figurcs).
As a result of Manchu-Chinese influence the Goldi celebrate the Lunar
New Year.
The Goldi practise monogamy and marry young. Marriage within
thc famüy group is prohibited. Weddings are ceremonious occasions.
Goldi in Northeast China 179
Before the wedding, invitations written on red paper are sent to relatives
and friends, who reply by sending presents.
In a Goldi family the birth of a baby is a joyful event, whether the
child is a boy or a girl. The name of the child is chosen by the parents,
but sometimes by grandparents. Every baby has two names: Goldi and
Chinese. To a woman recently confined a present of eggs is usually
brought.
The dead are buried in the earth. There is a funeral banquet immedi¬
ately following the death and another on the seventh day after. Mourning
for the dead lasts, as among the Chinese, for one hundred days.
References
E. E. AinsRT: PuteSestvie po Manczurii (Travel in Manchuria). Sankt-
Peterburg 1904. (Zapiski Imperatorskogo Russkogo Geograflöeskogo
obsöestva po obäöoj geografii. 3.5.)
0. Lattimore : The Oold Tribe, "Fishskin Tatars" oj the Lower Sungari.
Menasha, Wis. 1933. (Memoirs of the American Anthropological Associ¬
ation. 40.)
1. A. Lopatin : Ooldy amurskie, ussuriiskie i sungariiskie (The Goldi of the Amur, Ussiu'i and Sungari). Vladivostok 1922.
P. N. MenSikov, p. N. Smol'nikov, A. I. Öirkov: Severnaja Man'czurija.
Oirinskaja Provincija (North Manchuria. Kirin Province). 1. Charbin 1916.
Narody Sibiri (Peoples of Sibiria). Moskva-Leningrad 1956, pp.783 —816.
Narody VostoHnoj Azii. (Peoples of Eastern Asia). Moskva-Leningrad 1905,
pp. 684—87.
12«
Masa and Kim
By Cael Hoffmann, Ibadan
Introduction
1. The purpose of this paper* is twofold. Firstly, an attempt is made
to demonstrate that the language of Duke Adolf Feiedrioh zü
Mecklenburg's Masa vocabulary is identical with that of thc Kim New
Testament. As a corollary to this it is suggested that henceforth the namo
Kim (and not the name Masa) bo used for this language. Secondly, it is
4- suggested that Greenberg's classification of Kim (his 'Masa') as
Adamawa-Eastern is likely to be correct, while Tucker and Bryan's
classification of Kim as a member of the Somrai group is untenable. As
T the following investigation will show, there has been considerable con¬
fusion in the literature as regards the identity and, consequently, the
classification of this language, arising primarily, it appears, from the
failure of scholars either to identify their sources or, more importantly,
to base their statements on the inspection ofthe primary source material
rather than on the name of a language. Henoe, as a methodological by¬
product of the investigation, the need is stressed for scholars to go back
to the primary sources when identifying and/or classifying African
languages, especially where similar or identical names have been used
for different languages or, vice versa, different names for the same
language.
Masa
2. In 1937 Johannes Lukas published a short vocabulary of Masa
as no. 18 in his Zentralsudanische Studien. This vocabulary was collected
(- by the Duke Adolf Friedrich zu Mecklenburg during Ms 1910/11
German Central Africa Expedition (Lukas, p. 1 bottom). Unfortunately,
no indication is given where the vocabulary was collected, except that
the introductory paragraph on p. 98 states that the Masa inhabit both
banks of the River Logone from north of Lai to beyond Bongor*.
* This is a slightly modified and expanded version of a paper presented at a
seminar. Department of Linguistics and Nigerian Languages, University of
Ibadan, in November 1969.
2 As we shall see in a moment, this indication is in fact misleading in so far as it extends the area of the Masa too far northwards. In this case the name
