Welcome

The Mongolian people have had various welcome etiquette since ancient times. When meeting guests by appointment, whether it is a social group or a private meeting, the host always greets the guests from a distance. Some people will be waiting on the roadside, some will come galloping on horseback, some will come on motorcycles or in off-road jeeps. On grand occasions, several echelons will be formed to greet the guests.

If you travel to the prairie, you will definitely visit the Mongolian yurt on the grassland, because this is the tradition of the Mongolian people from ancient times to the present. When you come here, you will not be able to help but praise the host's residence, "This is really a good place, the natural scenery of the grassland is so beautiful!" Or you will use the Mongolian language you learned temporarily "Senu! Sainu (good! (Good!) express your feelings. If you say a sentence in Mongolian, the host here will be sincerely happy.

When the host on the grassland welcomes you into the yurt, the guest and the host sit on the left side of the yurt. Side. Generally, when a very distinguished guest arrives, the host will take the initiative to ask you to sit on the north side (men sit on the west side behind the bag, and women sit on the east side behind the bag). At this time, the housewife will give you the sweet milk. Food and hand-grilled meat are placed in front of the guests, and then a bowl of hot and fragrant milk tea is served, and the guests are invited to taste it. Then they start to toast amid greetings and laughter. The host holds the hada in his hand, holding the silver bowl and raising the plate with eyebrows, and pours the wine. Present it in front of you. If the guest drinks it all in one gulp, the host will be very happy, and the atmosphere will soon become warm. If you are not good at drinking, you can just take the silver bowl and taste it, but it is best to drink it from the bowl. Drinking Chinese wine expresses respect and intimacy for the host

Hospitality

The host here first pours freshly brewed milk tea and puts milk products and pastries on the table. , fried rice and other tea and snacks to quench the hunger and thirst of the guests. Some even make some noodles so that the guests can eat less and toast each other. Then the host will toast each guest with a small wine cup. This is The toasting begins. Then, a large cup (a silver vessel smaller than a silver bowl specially used for toasting) is used, starting with the older ones among the guests. After a certain number of toasts, music and singing will be played to entertain the guests. After drinking and dining, the highest etiquette for entertaining guests is the whole sheep feast, followed by the sheep's back feast.

The magical yurt

If the grassland is the green sea, the yurt is the sea. Dots of white sails. As a unique building on the grassland, the yurt is both beautiful and practical, and its structure is simple, easy to dismantle and transport.

The yurt has the characteristics of simple structure, easy dismantling and assembly, local materials, and self-production. , very suitable for nomadic life. The yurts fully reflect the ingenuity of the nomadic people. On the sea-like green grassland, the dots of yurts dotted with white sails will make people feel the harmony between man and nature! The yurts are shaped like a canopy, round. The shape of the spire is wrapped with one or two layers of wool felt on the outside, and supported by "hana" and "uni rods" on the inside. The "hana" is dozens of polished wooden sticks of the same thickness, connected with cowhide ropes. It forms a retractable mesh support. The "unipole" is an umbrella-shaped roof support supported by wooden sticks. There is also a "tao brain" on the top of the yurt, which allows ventilation and lighting. Firmly fixed and resistant to wind damage.

Gorgeous national costumes

Mongolian robes include clothes, belts, boots and headwear. They are exquisite in style and beautifully decorated. The main clothing of the Mongolian people. The Mongolian robe has a wide body, long sleeves, no slits at the lower end, a high collar, and a mid-band belt. It is very suitable for cold protection and multi-purpose clothing in the vast grassland nomadic life. Indispensable for Mongolian robes, the belt is usually made of silk, satin and other materials, several meters long, and the color depends on the color of the robe. When a man wears a belt, his robe is lifted up and the hem is shortened, which makes him appear capable and chic, and is convenient when riding or working. On the contrary, women must stretch their robes when tying their waist to show their slim and toned figure. Wearing a belt with a Mongolian robe is not only for clothing purposes, but also has great practical value. Wearing a belt with a belt can keep the waist and ribs stable and vertical when riding a horse, and can also keep warm in winter.

Blessings of "Chagansa Day"

The Mongolian people call the first month "Chagansa Day" (meaning "White Moon" in Chinese); the main Spring Festival activities on the grassland are There are fire sacrifices, birthday wishes, new year greetings, etc., and it starts from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month and reaches its climax on the first lunar month (Chagansa day).

Sacrificing fire

The Mongolian people have long welcomed the Spring Festival with the custom of offering sacrifices to fire, because the burning flame symbolizes all the good luck and good luck in the year. Fire sacrifices were more popular in the past, and each family held different dates and methods for offering fire sacrifices. "Harichu households" (poor people) generally sacrifice fire on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, while "Taiji" (nobles) worship fire on the 24th of the twelfth lunar month. Some herdsmen insert five small bundles of reeds tied with five-color silk. On the tree outside the door, put the oak tree split into thin strips on the four legs above the burning fire support. The head of the household puts on his formal clothes and kneels on the mat at the front door, and dedicates the sheep breast bone wrapped in oil net to the holy fire. . The women sprinkled wine and butter into the holy fire, stood in order, and kowtowed. Wealthy herdsmen held large-scale fire sacrifices, used whole sheep for sacrifice, and invited neighbors to have tea and wine. Some people ignite the holy fire and keep it burning for three days. During these three days, they are not allowed to move or roast their feet on the holy fire. At present, traditional sacrificial fires are rarely held among the new generation of herdsmen, but people still light bonfires at grassland tourist spots and during festive celebrations.

Birthday wishes

One of the main contents of herdsmen’s activities during the Spring Festival. The objects of birthday wishes are the elders who belong to the current year. When birthday celebrations begin, birthdays are first given to those aged 85 or 73, usually on the 25th or 26th of the twelfth lunar month. During the few days from the 27th of the twelfth lunar month to New Year's Eve, birthdays are given to those aged 61 or 49. When wishing the elders a birthday, the younger generation should not only salute and congratulate them, but also give birthday gifts to show their respect. The importance of birthday gifts generally depends on the age of the person wishing to celebrate the birthday.

New Year's Eve

At the climax of the Spring Festival on the grassland, nearby herdsmen drink tea with each other, and then people gather with their children and old people in the homes of the elders to celebrate New Year's Eve. ” (banquet) or family gathering together to watch TV programs. Then the shepherds would visit every house that invited them. Sometimes the banquet would last all night because of the large number of households.

On New Year's Eve, every herdsman will place a "flower plate", which means neatly placing snacks, dairy products, candies, etc. on a large plate. Most of the arrangements are in the form of a cylinder, but some are also square. Yes, one type for each layer, very regular. This custom has not only been preserved in the homes of herdsmen, but also in the Mongolian homes in the city.

New Year's greetings

The most solemn event of the Spring Festival on the grassland, New Year's greetings begin on the first day of the first lunar month when the morning light shines. The herdsmen first offer sacrifices to Aobao, and then begin to pay New Year's greetings within the family. First, the younger generations pay tribute to the elders. The elders greet the younger generation and kneel down to worship, and then the elder wishes the younger generation happiness and longevity. When paying New Year greetings, the younger generation should dress neatly and hold a khata in their hands.

After family New Year greetings, herdsmen worship each other. When worshiping each other, first go to the home of the elder. As the worship progresses, people automatically go together. Every time you arrive at a house, your companions must enter in order of age. When paying New Year greetings, herdsmen usually offer one or two hymns or carols. For outstanding singers, the head of the household will hold a plate of milk and food with hada on it and congratulate him. The Spring Festival on the grassland is full of strong ethnic characteristics. It is a time for herdsmen to sing and laugh after a year of hard work.

Prairie Religion

The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is also an ethnic region where multiple religions coexist. There are currently seven religions: Lamaism, Islam, Catholicism, Christianity, Orthodox Christianity, Han Buddhism and Taoism. Han Buddhism has a long history in our area, and other religions were introduced successively since the 17th century.

Lamaism in Ximeng belongs to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism and has been spread for more than 200 years. Before liberation, Ximeng had 192 Lamaist temples and 12,750 lamas, most of whom were located in Sumu, a pastoral area. In 1960, there were 102 temples and 3,542 lamas. In 1966, the number was reduced to 92 temples and 2,290 lamas. During the ten years of civil strife, the party's religious freedom policy was undermined, lamas were greatly affected, most temples were destroyed, and scriptures were burned; temple activities stopped, causing serious consequences. After smashing the "Gang of Four", especially since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the government has reaffirmed its policy of freedom of religious belief. Lamas and believers in Ximeng Lamaism have gradually resumed their normal religious activities. Some temples have also been allocated maintenance funds by the state. After repairs, some old, sick and helpless lamas received living allowances and their self-support business developed.