The Motivational Mechanisms and Relationship Network of the Southward Migration of Ethnic Minorities in Northeast China: A Case Study of the Dorbod Mongol Ethnic Group in Heilongjiang

With increasingly frequent cross-regional population mobility in China, heading south to Guangdong and engaging in the catering industry related to dumpling restaurants has become a significant collective livelihood practice for the Dorbod Mongols of Heilongjiang Province. Grounded in life course theory, this study analyzes the group's unique long-distance interprovincial mobility patterns, motivational mechanisms, and intergenerational evolution. The results reveal that the southward migration of the Dorbod Mongols was not merely an economic decision, but rather a result of the interplay between historical circumstances, social networks, and individual agency. Throughout this process, they developed a migration pattern characterized by “pioneer initiation—lineage diffusion—village-level emulation—intergenerational transmission”. This demonstrates the pivotal role of family-centered social cohesion and relational networks in facilitating cross-regional mobility and urban integration. By providing both a unique lens and a concrete case study, this research advances our understanding of the diverse forms of minority migration in China and the complex mechanisms of population outflow in the Northeast.