Playing field hockey

The Daur people have always been known for their valour and skill in battle and ever since ancient times, they have done well in riding and shooting, wrestling and playing field hockey. The latter called "Beikuo" in the Daur language, is a traditional sport with a long history. On each festival or happy occasion the Daur people will hold a "Beikuo" game. Everyone, the young, the old, the weak and the strong, take part. At night, they will play the game with a fireball. A fireball is made up of birch tree knots, stuffed with pine cones or other flammable things, or a felt ball dipped into oil. The ball is lit when the teams face-off, and the teams fiercely compete to gain control of the ball, which draws bright lines across the field when it is passed. In 1976 the first national hockey team was founded in Morin Dawa Autonomous Banner, filling in the gap in China's list of national sports. The autonomous banner was later called the "Hometown of Field Hockey."

Editor: Dong Jirong