Монгол улс
Culture
Mongolia is well known for its nomadic traditions. The nomadic way of lifestyle is still practiced
today in the rural areas of the country. Nomads follow a seasonal routine raising and breeding
the five main types of stock – goat, sheep, cattle (including yaks), camel and horse, migrating
from place to place following the most favorable pastures and campsites.
Language
The Mongolian language is the official language of Mongolia. It belongs to the Ural-Altaic
language family, which includes Kazakh, Turkish, Korean and Finnish. Today more than 10
million people speak Mongolian. They live in Mongolia, Buriat republic of Russian federation,
Inner Mongolia in China, Shingjan and Gansu regions of China, Tibet and even a few number of
people living in the State of New Jersey in the USA . In Mongolia, the Khalkha dialect, written in
Cyrillic, is predominant. The classical Mongolian script, also known as Uyghurjin, was the first
writing system created specifically for the Mongolian language, and was the most successful
until the introduction of Cyrillic in 1946.
Religion
Shamanism – Shamanism goes back in Mongolian history long before Chinggis Khan’s time,
but it was Chinggis Khan that made it into such a fundamental part of the Mongolian tradition. At
that time the Mongolians were worshipped “Hoh Tenger” (blue skies). According to this belief the
skies are the father, and the earth is the mother of all beings in the universe. As a civilization
totally dependent on the forces of nature, the Mongolians worshipped the various elements of
nature, praying to their ancestors who have transformed into mythical spiritual animals to
provide them with good weather, health and success. Though oppressed during communist
time, Shamanism is still practiced in Mongolia, and people who seek help will approach a
Shaman for a blessing or cure and even to get hints about their future.
Buddhism- Mongolians have followed Buddhism since the 16th century, when the Mongolian
king, Altan Khan, was converted by Tibetan lamas. Mongolians follow Tibetan Buddhist
teachings, (also called Lamaism), the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions
characteristic of Tibet and the Himalayan region. Today, Mongolia still embraces its Buddhist
heritage. Monasteries are being restored, and are once again crowded with worshippers. The
Dalai Lama is an enormously popular figure and has visited the country several times. For many
Mongolians, the practice of Buddhism is flavored with traces of Shamanism, an even more
ancient spirituality.
Other Religions- Mongolia also has a small Muslim community — about 6 per cent of the
population. These are mostly ethnic Kazakhs living in the far west of the country.
Arts
Mongolian traditional music composes a wide range of instruments and uses for the human
voice found almost nowhere else. For instance, the Mongol Khoomii may be fascinating for
foreigners. It is a musical, which can be delivered with a help of a guttural voice and specific
way of breathing. One tone comes out as a whistle-like sound, the result of the locked breath in
the chest being forced out through the throat in a specific way, while a lower tone sounds as a
base.
Traditional housing – The Mongolian Ger
With a history of over a thousand years, this portable dwelling made of wood lashed together
with leather thongs and covered with felt is the home of the Mongolian nomads. Easy to erect
and dismantle, the ger, its furnishings, and the stove inside can be carried by just three camels,
or wagons pulled by yaks making it ideal for the nomadic way of life.
The average ger is small but spacious enough to provide adequate living space for a family, is
wind resistant, and has good ventilation. Gers are constructed of a latticed wood structure
covered with layers of felt and canvas. The felt helps the ger retain heat and the canvas over it
sheds rain.
