Mongolia: A Land Without Fences
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The word “Mongol” was first recorded by the Chinese during the Tang Dynasty (AD 619-907). Although the Mongolians recorded their history in oral epics, sung by their bards, the first writing was 800 years ago. Because of their contact with neighboring countries, references to the Mongols have been recorded in their histories. The Chinese saw the Mongols as “wolves”, penetrating and attacking China and then retreating with their plunder. There are, though, archeological records of human remains that go back over 500,000 years. The major dates in Mongolian history can be recorded by following great leaders and negotiated treaties. In 1205, Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan in the West) proclaims himself ruler of the Mongol Empire. 1211 the Great Khaan attacks China and by 1227 he had expanded into Empire as far north as modern Poland, made conquests in Russia, ruled China, and had made military sorties as far west as Istanbul, Turkey, and east into Korea. His empire lasted four generations. Ogedai Khaan, Chinggis’ third son, started campaigns into Russia and Europe in 1237, expanding the Empire until his death in 1241. In 1275, Marco Polo arrives in China (not the first European to come to this part of the world but the most publicized). In 1279, Kublai Khaan, Chinggis Khaan’s grandson, completes the conquest of China. Kublai Khaan dies in 1294 and in 1368 the Mongols are driven out of China. From 1400 to 1454, Mongolia is locked into Civil War. In 1641 Zanabazar is proclaimed Buddhist leader in Mongolia (and today the country is 96% Buddhist). In 1911 Mongolia is declared independent from China but it is not until 1915 that Russia, China and Mongolia sign an agreement to give independence to Mongolia. In 1939 Mongolian and Russian troops fight Japan in eastern Mongolia. In 1990, pro-democracy protests are held and the communist party wins the first election. By 1992, a new constitution is declared and the communist wins the election again. In 1996, a democratic coalition unexpectedly defeats the communist in the election but in 2000, the communist unexpectedly defeats the democratic coalition. The new parliament is known as “the Great Khaurai” (Ikh Khaurai) and the smaller standing legislature is “the Little Khaurai” (Boga Khaurai), both established in 1992. The president serves a four-year term, must be at least 45 years of age at the time of the election and can be re-elected only once. Local governments are not elected but appointed by the winning party. The market in Ulaanbaatar is the place to find almost anything. In the summer, over 60,000 people attend each day. Why should anyone go to Mongolia (with “the coldest capital in the world”)? Mongolia has four major resources: 1) eco-tourist (in the warmer months, Mongolia is what the American west was at one time, open with bright, blue, clear skies and all year the skies are magnificent) (Mongolia has the mountains and the Gobi desert) (Mongolia has the deepest lake in the world with more water than all the Great Lakes put together); 2) minerals (gold, copper, coal and others) which are just now being tapped for a world market; 3) a history unlike any other nation; and 4) a nomadic life style and mindset that “just might be needed in the materialistic 21st century”. The population of Mongolia is now 65% under the age of 35. It has a history of moving out and making “conquests without ownership” (a unique mindset in today’s world). Mongolian ownership is centered upon inner qualities, not outward objects. At each marvelous natural site, there is a mound of stones topped with some blue and yellow clothe on a stick. It is homage to the sky and the earth. As vodka is toasted outdoors, one finger dips into the vodka and flips it to the sky and the earth, honoring the elements around the individual. The nomadic life style is still with the people even when they come to the city for a livelihood. Nomadic life in Mongolia has not been restricted to reservations (unless one thinks of all of Mongolia as a reservation in a world of materialistic nations surrounding it). As an ally of democracy, it is the “right government in the right place in Asia amongst many of the wrong governments and nations”. |
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