Family that ruled part of NE China and Manchuria 945–1125 during the Song era. It was founded by cavalry-based Qidan (Khidan) people, Mongolian-speakers who gradually became Sinicized. They were later defeated by the nomadic Juchen (Jurchen) who founded the Jin dynasty.
The dynasty had five capitals, and cabinets for the northern and southern regions. It adopted Chinese ceremonies and writing, but maintained Qidan speech, food, and clothing. The success of barbarian rule over a Chinese population influenced later invaders such as the Mongols and Manchu.