Sanjiazi (; (

Manchu The Manchus (; ) are a Tungusic East Asian ethnic group native to Manchuria in Northeast Asia. They are an officially recognized ethnic minority in China and the people from whom Manchuria derives its name. The Later Jin (1616–1636) and ...

:, Möllendorff: ilan boo) is a village or Ilanbotokso in Youyi Daur, Manchu, and Kirghiz Ethnic Township (), Fuyu County,

Heilongjiang Heilongjiang () formerly romanized as Heilungkiang, is a province in northeast China. The standard one-character abbreviation for the province is (). It was formerly romanized as "Heilungkiang". It is the northernmost and easternmost province ...

, China.} The village is about 22 km southwest of the administrative center of Fuyu, and about 6 km west of the main road from Qiqihar.

Overview

Approximately 80 elderly residents of the village are considered to be among the last people who have a good grasp of the historic pronunciation of

. A local elementary school employs Manchu language teachers who learned the language from some of the older residents. Over 70% of the residents are ethnic Manchu. Dong Xuefeng, an official with Youyi Township, said that Sanjiazi is the only village in China in which the Manchu language is spoken and the Manchu customs are observed because of its relative isolation.

Manchu language spoken elsewhere

In 2019, Colin Thubron found one man alone in Dawujia(zi) in Aihui District of Heihe Prefecture who said he could still speak the language.

Education

Sanjiazi Manchu Elementary School is located in the community. It includes Manchu classes and has tapes of Manchu speakers.

References

Manchu language Qiqihar Villages in China {{Heilongjiang-geo-stub