Dongyi

The Dongyi (東夷) were an ancient people or group of peoples who inhabited eastern regions of ancient China, primarily during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. The term "Dongyi" literally translates to "Eastern Barbarians" or "Eastern Foreigners," as perceived from the perspective of the more centralized, developing states in the Central Plain (Zhongyuan) region of China.

The identity and characteristics of the Dongyi are complex and somewhat ambiguous, as the term appears to have been applied broadly to various groups east of the central Chinese states. Archaeological evidence suggests that the Dongyi encompassed diverse cultures with distinct material cultures and social organizations. They are often associated with cultures like the Dawenkou, Liangzhu, and Longshan, known for their advanced pottery, jade working, and early urban development.

Historical texts, particularly the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) and other early Chinese chronicles, mention interactions and conflicts between the Dongyi and the emerging dynasties of the Central Plain, such as the Xia, Shang, and Zhou. Figures such as Yi the Archer (Houyi), a legendary archer often associated with the Dongyi, are featured in these narratives. The Shang Dynasty is believed to have had close ties to, and potentially even originated from, a Dongyi group.

Over time, the Dongyi were gradually assimilated or conquered by the expanding Chinese states. Their territories were incorporated into the growing political and cultural sphere of China. The descendants of some Dongyi groups may have contributed to the formation of later states and cultures in the Shandong Peninsula and surrounding areas.

The study of the Dongyi provides valuable insights into the cultural diversity and interactions that characterized ancient China, challenging a simplistic view of a monolithic "Chinese" civilization.