Xianbei state

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Xianbei Nomadic confederation ← 93–2nd century → Capital Not specified Religion Animism Political structure Nomadic confederation History  - Established 93  - Disestablished 2nd century

Location of the Xianbei and other steppe nations in 300 AD.

The Xianbei state^[1][2] was the state that existed in Mongolia from AD 93 to the 2nd century. Their descendants lived there with turkic nomads much longer following the break up of the unity of the Xianbei people. They were Mongol-speaking tribes.^[3]

After the downfall of the Xiongnu, the Xianbei people, who descended from the Donghu set up their domination in Mongolia in the 2nd century. They were consisted of Central Asian Mongolic tribes under the Xiongnu.

A son of one of their military leaders named Tanshikhuai united the Xianbei people around AD 150. He almost conquered all former territories of the Xiongnu. The remnants of the Xiongnu and the Wuhuan under the rule of the Xianbei, also contributed to their power.

Like in the case of the Xiongnu, the state was divided into three parts: west, east and center headed by 12 chieftains. In the mid-3rd century, the Xianbei state began to split into number of smaller independent domains. The Muyun and the Toba, branches of the Xianbei people, established their dynasties in modern Inner Mongolian and Northern China.

The economic base of the Xianbei was animal husbandry similar to that of the Xiongnu. Besides hunting, they had the Chinese captives plant grains. Although, the Xianbei state still experienced the tribal structures, formation of social classes was deepening. After the establishment of the Xianbei state, certain developments occurred in their literacy, arts and culture. They used a zodiac calendar and favored song and music. Shamanism was the main religion among the Xianbei people. After they lost control over Mongolia, their descendants in North China became fully versed in Chinese cultural traditions later.^[4]

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