Mongols (蒙古族)

Geography and Language of Mongols (蒙古族)

The Mongols live in various parts of China, including Qinghai, Sichuan, Heilongjiang and even Beijing, but most of them live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region. Their language is Mongolian and is both spoken and written, with a script created in the early 1200s based on ancient Uyghur.

• Population: 5,813,947
• Distribution:  Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Xinjiang, Henan, Hebei, Gansu, Qinghai, etc.
• Language: Mongolian and Han
• Religion: Lamaism

Climate of Mongols (蒙古族)

Of almost 22 million people, only around 2 million are actually Mongolian.The region is located in northern China and rises up to 1,300 metres above sea level.The Yellow River flows over the southwestern part of the region, providing carp as well as transport and irrigation.Salt, alkali and freshwater lakes enrich the area; coal, copper, rock crystal, gold and silver are among the minerals which have been found here.China’s largest forests are in the Greater Hinggan mountain Range, providing many varieties of medicinal herbs as well as the much-prized caterpillar fungus.

History of Mongols (蒙古族)

The name Mongol was originally ascribed to a people who roamed along the Erguna River. Branches of this group varied in size as well as cultural and economic development and all were unified in the 13th century by Temujin of the Mongol tribe, to establish the new national Mongol community.Temujin was elected the Great Khan in 1206 and was known from then on as Genghis Khan.His successor, Kublai Khan, moved the capital from Helin to Yanjing and founded the Yuan dynasty in 1272, subduing the Southern Song dynasty and bringing all of China under his rule.

Culture of Mongols (蒙古族)

Many literary works have been produced in Mongolian script, and local architecture was unique in its style. During the Ming dynasty, further cultural advances were made; dictionaries were produced as well as translations of Buddhist Scriptures and Chinese classics.

Medical science, astronomy and the calendar were influenced by the Tibetans and Han Chinese. Mongolian Lamaist therapy is effective for setting broken bones and many Han and Tibetan medical works have been translated into Mongolian.

Traditions and Religion of Mongols (蒙古族)

Horses are important in the lives of Mongolian people as they practically grow up on horseback. ‘Nadam,’ which means ‘games,’ is a popular fair which is held each year in July and August.Singing, archery, chess, dancing, wrestling and horse-racing are all part of the festivities.

Dried cow dung is used as fuel, and tea is an integral part of Mongolian life. In the mid-20th century, felt yurts were replaced by similar houses made from wood and mud.

In ancient times, Mongolians believed in Shamanism; Lamaism began to be popular with Mongolian rulers in the 13th century. The Qing dynasty protected Lamaism and feudal lords later encouraged young people to become lamas. They neither married nor did physical work and in the Ming and Qing dynasties as many as one third of the Mongol population were lamas.

Mongolians practise monogamy; marriage was generally arranged by parents or feudal lords.Intermarriage between nobles and common people was permitted, with the exception of daughters of Zhasake lords, who could not marry commoners.The family unit traditionally consists of parents and children, with married sons setting up separate homes close by.Another traditional family unit in farming areas is formed of married brothers and sisters-in-law.

‘Haolibao’ is a traditional form of Mongolian singing and Mongolians are famed for their dances and the horse-head fiddle is a favourite instrument.

Modern Times of Mongols (蒙古族)

Television, radios and sewing machines are just a few modern additions to Mongolian life.

The autonomous region was founded in 1947, the earliest such establishment in China.After this, autonomous prefectures and counties were set up in other provinces.