Abstract:  The relations between the Hu nationalities (ethnic groups in the north and west of China in ancient times) and the Han nationality during the Sixteen Kingdoms Period were based on the concrete life of rural communities. The rulers of Hu nationalities established regimes by relying on fellow villagers or townsmen and then appointed some local fellow townsmen as officials. In addition, they supported exiled fellow clans to set up new prefectures in nonnative regions after the old ones being occupied and enabled fellow clans to grow stronger. Thereafter, they resumed the rural electoral system and strengthened the screening and management of rural talents. All these efforts demonstrated that the rulers of the Sixteen Kingdoms had a deep understanding of and actual control over the rural communities. During this process, they gained support from the local patriarchal clans, and some rulers and their families even grew into big clans in the North China. In short, engagement in the local rural community life by attaching importance to fellow townsmen, rural clans and rural community systems was one of the important channels for rulers of the Sixteen Kingdoms to deepen and enhance their administration and realizing national amalgamation. Recognizing this will help us to further understand the complicated relations between Hu and Han nationalities in the Sixteen Kingdoms Period. 

Key words:  , Sixteen Kingdoms, Hu nationalities, rural community ,