Mongol Society and Culture Flashcards
Where and when did the Mongol tribes live a nomadic life?
By the 12 century, on the plains or steppes of Mongolia in central Asia. Successfully adapted to steppe conditions
why didn’t they develop a sedentary lifestyle?
harsh conditions not suited
why were they referred to as barbarians?
• Developed a nomadic or migratory lifestyle, wondering plains and herding their animals
What did they do seasonally?
Move seasonally to better pasture land and water to keep large flocks
Why did they live close to settlements?
for trade and food, based on season, climate and resource
what did they have great appreciation for?
art and culture
Silk Route?
trade, the most safest, valued, connect East and West- mass spread of culture
What did they accept?
other religion. Their religion was based on homeland so when travel didn’t expect others to change religion
Why was their army good?
easily adapt to new settings/ strategies
What did the Mongol dwelling look like?
Round like tents and are made up of twigs and sticks. At the stop in middle is hole to let light in and smoke out, always makes fire in the middle of dwelling.
• Beautiful carved and decorated doors, south oriented
What did they use to make a yurt or ger
- Door made of felt and both sides and roof covered in felt.
- Wool used for outer covering of the gers
- Animal skins
Why was the dwelling good for the Mongols?
- Adapted to difficult conditions of everyday life
* Easy to be moved and reassembled (30 to 60 mins)
What happened when you enter a ger?
airag and cheese are blown and snuff bottle are exchanged
What is their main food source?
meat. Shown from primary source, listing all the animals and saying ‘extremely rich in animals’
List the food and drink they eat:
- Boiled mutton – integral part of diet
- Goats milk, meat and cheese
- Yaks offer meat and milk
- Camels milk, cheese and meat
- Mare’s milk- ferment, produce alcoholic drink, airag (or koumiss)
- Liquor
What were the three animals used for transport and why?
- Often use yack and ox carts to transport their belonging
- The Bactrian or two-humped camel – transport heavy load through desert and other inhospitable terrain. Good to hold things when moving but also to carry goods for trading
- Horses – provide mobility; roam the steppes in search of good pasture for their floats. Also round up horses that have been allowed to graze freely.
What kind of material do Mongols use for clothes?
- Wool and animal skins
- Sheep wool pressed into felt then either made into clothing, rugs and blankets
- Camels wools
What did the poor wear?
goat skins
What is the national dress? what is it made out of?
unisex), form fitting robe known as del
• Del- woven out of silk, frequently imported from China
What do woman wear during festivals/celebrations?
woman wore a variety of headdresses, including the traditional elaborate boghtagh
What did elite woman wear?
exquisite jewellery
What was good and bad about a nomadic lifestyle?
Positive – exposed to different cultures, never run out of resource, accept religions; be able to keep large flocks – continuous access to goof pasture land and water
Negative – having to move regularly, harsh conditions when travelling, more prone to attacks (no walls)
What is a sedentary lifestyle?
A permanent settlement where food is produced by farming
