Mongolian culture
The Mongolian ethnic group has a current population of 4,806,849 people. They mainly live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the rest are distributed in the northeast and northwest regions of China.
The Mongolian people are a nation with a long history and rich in legend. For thousands of years, the Mongolian people have lived a nomadic life of "migrating in pursuit of water and grass." Most of China's grasslands have left traces of Mongolian herdsmen, so they are known as the "Proud of the Grasslands."
The Mongols are relatively developed in scientific and cultural undertakings. Especially since the Ming Dynasty, they have made significant contributions to the scientific and cultural undertakings of the motherland in aspects such as history, literature, language, medicine, astronomy and geography. In terms of folk literature and art, "Haolibao" is a widely circulated singing form among the Mongolian people, and the morinouqin is the most distinctive national musical instrument.
The Mongolian people originated from the area on the east bank of the Wangjian River (today's Ergun River) in ancient times. "Mengwu" is the earliest Chinese translation of the word "Mongolia", which first appeared in the Tang Dynasty. "Mongolia" was originally just the name of one of the Mongolian tribes. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Mongols headed by Genghis Khan unified the tribes in the Mongolian region and gradually formed a new ethnic unity. "Mongolia" has changed from the original tribal name to the name of an ethnic group.
The Mongolian people have their own language and literature. The Mongolian people belong to the Mongolian language family of the Altaic language family and are divided into three dialects: Inner Mongolian, Oirat, and Marhu-Buryat.
White yurt
"Mongolian yurt" is the Manchu name for the housing of Mongolian herdsmen. "Bao" means "home" or "house" in Manchu. In ancient times, yurts were called "qionglu", "felt tent" or "yurt house". The yurts are round in shape, ranging in size from large to small. The larger one can accommodate more than 20 people to rest; the small one can also accommodate more than 10 people. The erection of a yurt is very simple, usually in a place with suitable water plants. First draw a circle according to the size of the yurt, and then set up the "Hana" (made of 2.5-meter-long wicker cross braids) along the drawn circle. , then put the "uni" (a wicker stick about 3.2 meters long) on ??the top, connect the "hana" and "uni" together in a circle and tie them up, then put them on felt and tie them with wool ropes. And you're done. A family of herdsmen has settled down on the grassland.
After the yurt is set up, people decorate the inside of the yurt. Lay out thick carpets, place furniture, and hang picture frames and posters all around. Now some furniture and electrical appliances have been put into the yurts, and life is very comfortable and joyful.
The biggest advantage of the yurt is that it is easy to disassemble and assemble. Relocation is easy. When erecting, the Hana can be pulled apart to form a circular wall. When dismantling, the Hana can be folded back to reduce its size. It can also be used as a carriage board for oxen or horse-drawn carriages. A yurt only requires two camels or a two-wheeled ox cart to transport it, and it can be set up in two to three hours.
Although the yurt looks small in appearance, the usable area inside the yurt is very large. In addition, the indoor air circulation, good lighting conditions, warm in winter and cool in summer, and not afraid of wind and rain, are very suitable for the residence and use of herdsmen who often move around.
Mare kumiss and hand-chopped meat
The Mongolian people have lived on the grasslands and relied on animal husbandry for their livelihood. Kumiss, hand-chopped meat, and roasted mutton are their favorite daily drinks, foods, and delicacies for entertaining guests.
Every July and August, when the cattle are fat and the horses are strong, is the season for brewing kumiss. Industrious Mongolian women store mare's milk in skins and stir it. After a few days, the milk fat is separated and fermented into wine. With the development of science and the prosperity of life, the Mongolian people's craftsmanship in brewing kumiss has become increasingly sophisticated and perfect. There are not only simple fermentation methods, but also a distillation method for brewing strong kumiss. The milk wine that has been steamed and brewed for six times is of the highest quality.
Kumis is warm in nature and has the effects of dispelling cold, relaxing muscles, activating blood circulation, and strengthening the stomach. Known as purple jade pulp and yuan jade pulp, it is one of the "Eight Treasures of Mongolia". It was once the main drink of the Yuan Dynasty palace and the mansions of Mongolian nobles. Kublai Khan often served it in precious golden bowls to reward meritorious officials.
"Hand-grilled meat" is one of the traditional food methods of the Mongolians. The method is to disembowel a fat and tender sheep, peel off the skin, remove the internal organs, wash it, remove the head and hoofs, then cut the whole sheep into large pieces, boil it in white water, take it out when the water is boiling and the meat is cooked, and place it on a large plate When it is served, everyone holds a Mongolian knife and cuts into large pieces to eat. It gets its name because it uses hands to eat without using chopsticks.
Pouring wine to guests and eating hand-pickled meat are the ways for grassland herdsmen to express their respect and love for their guests. When you set foot on the grassland and enter the yurt, the hospitable Mongolians will pour the wine into a silver bowl or a gold cup, hold it on the long hada, sing a moving toast song, entertain the distinguished guests from afar, and express their feelings. My own sincerity. At this time, the guest should catch the wine immediately, and then drink it if he can. If he can't drink, he can taste a little and then return the wine to the host. If you give in, push, pull, or don't drink, you will be considered to be looking down on your master, not willing to treat each other sincerely, etc. The host's enthusiasm often makes the guests feel reluctant to leave and feel nostalgic.
Grassland "Nadam"
In the grassland in August, the autumn breeze is refreshing, the cattle and sheep are fat, and the herdsmen are celebrating that the harvest season has arrived.
At this time, they began to brew kumiss, slaughter cattle and sheep, sew new clothes, prepare all kinds of delicious food, and hold "Nadam" (Mongolian "entertainment" and "amusement") of different sizes, known as Traditional sports competitions such as archery, wrestling, and horse racing are the "three arts of men".
"Nadam" usually lasts for five to seven days. At this time, herders dressed in brand-new national costumes, riding horses and driving carts, gather from all directions. We set up a felt tent on the green grass and cooked tea and meat. The whole grassland is full of smoke, people are cheering and horses are barking, and there is a lot of joy.
"Nadam" originated in the early 13th century and occupies an important position in the lives of the Mongolian people. At that time, whenever the Mongolian leaders held a big "Kulltai" (big gathering), in addition to formulating regulations, appointing and removing officials, and rewarding and punishing them, they also held a large-scale "Nadam". At that time, the main events of "Nadam" were archery, wrestling, and horse racing competitions. Today's "Nadam" has added many new contents such as material exchanges and artistic performances. Make this traditional national event more festive, auspicious, joyful and effective!
Wrestling is the main content of Naadam. Without wrestling, it cannot be called Naadam. The number of wrestlers can be large or small, up to more than 1,000, and there are no restrictions on region or weight. After the wrestlers are paired up, a single-elimination format will be adopted, and the loser will not be allowed to compete again. Wrestlers wear tight-fitting half-sleeved vests made of cowhide or canvas, with bare arms covering the back and edges inlaid with copper nails. Wearing fat wrestling pants, Mongolian boots on the feet, and a colorful strip "Jingga" made of five-color silk and satin around the neck, marking the number of rankings achieved. In most areas, wrestlers sing wrestling songs before going out to compete. Both wrestlers have to jump during the entrance and closing stages. The referee issued an order, and the two sides shook hands and began to fight. There was no time limit. Leg hugging and kneeling were not allowed. Touching the ground on any part above the knee was a failure. Wrestlers participating in Naadam all have prizes, and the prizes for the top three are more expensive.
Mongolian history values ??"Darkhan Wrestlers" as a lifelong honor. At the ceremony to confer the honorable title, the wrestler who won the title of "Darkhan" put on the full costume of the competition, sang wrestling songs three times and then jumped into the arena to perform. The leader who presided over Naadam issued badges, certificates and souvenirs, and treated him to a bowl of milk wine and fresh milk according to national custom. At this time, the winner of "Darkhan" selects the most promising wrestler, takes off his wrestling uniform and gives it to him, volunteers to be an amateur coach, then hugs each other and jumps out together.
Mausoleum of Genghis Khan
In the southeastern part of the Ordos Plateau, on the Yijinhuoluo grassland covered with lush green grass, lingering streams, and full of cattle and sheep, stands an exquisite and unique palace. Its twinkling brilliance and majestic figure can be seen dozens of miles away. This is the holy land in the hearts of Mongolians and the resting place of Genghis Khan, the Genghis Khan Mausoleum.
The total area of ??Genghis Khan Cemetery is more than 55,000 square meters, with a construction area of ??more than 1,500 square meters. The mausoleum faces south and is built on a rectangular platform more than one meter high. It is divided into six parts: the main hall, the east hall, the west hall, the bedroom, the east corridor and the west corridor. The main hall is 26 meters high, with a yurt-style dome roof with beautiful cylindrical decorations and auspicious cloud patterns inlaid with yellow and blue glazed tiles. Below is a double-layered blue octagonal cornice. The east and west halls are slightly lower than the main hall, and the top is the same as the main hall, with single-layer eaves. The three halls are connected to each other. There is a statue of Genghis Khan in the main hall, and the walls of the halls on both sides are painted with murals praising his great achievements. Behind the hall is the sleeping palace, where four yurts covered with yellow forging are placed. Inside the bag are the coffins of Genghis Khan, his wife Borte, his second wife Hulun, his third wife Isu, his brother Beligutai, his sister Hasar, his fourth son Tuolei and his wife Yixihatu. In front of the bag are precious cultural relics such as Genghis Khan's saddle that have been handed down from generation to generation.
Genghis Khan is a great legendary figure. There are also many historical records and legends about his death, burial place, and the movement of his coffin. Although Genghis Khan's true body is not actually placed in Genghis Khan's mausoleum today due to his secret burial, for hundreds of years, the Mongols still regard it as the resting place of their holy lord. I have infinite respect and yearning for the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. The place is often filled with cigarette smoke and constant memorial activities. To this day, four grand memorial activities are held every year on March 21st, May 15th, August 12th and October 3rd of the lunar calendar. Every day on this day, many worshipers take the trouble to travel long distances with a pious mood. Stand in front of the tall statue of this great man and offer sacrifices such as white hada, bright candles, fragrant incense sticks, fat whole sheep, milky yellow butter, and mellow kumiss to recall his great talents and strategies. I miss him endlessly.