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By L. Badamkhand
As any other nation, Mongols do have a distinctive national character. It is not an
easy task to describe all its features as drastic economic and political changes took
place within the last century alone, each time introducing new values and habits,
traditions and morals. From a purely Buddhist country at the turn of the 20th century,
Mongolia “jumped into socialism, bypassing capitalism” as a popular slogan
coined in communist times says. Now, Mongolia painfully steps back into capitalism. These
political transformations contributed into twisting the traditional core moras and shaping
the habits and attitudes of Modern Mongols.
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So it is rather hard to pinpoint something specific as each generation has an imprint
of its time, and this description outlines only the basic archetype, preserved over
centuries of turbulent history of Mongolian nomads. A lone gher lost amidst vast open
stretches of steppe always surprises visitors to this country. Independent life in nearly
total wilderness where one can rely only on its own has shaped the self-reliant and
“rugged” individuality of Mongols. However, not egoism as Mongols are always
ready to help others.
Another feature that strikes foreign visitors surprise is the drastic contrast between
urban and rural people. While city folks enjoy almost all the benefits of
“civilization” and look more than European, the rural population still lives
nomadic lifestyle following herds and worshipping the nature. The revolutions, political
upheavals and economic reforms have had little impact on nomads still living simple life
short of many modern goods and services. But what they lack in terms of materialistic life
is more than compensated by the richness of the nomadic culture, moral values and
traditions that comprise the backbone of the true nomadic spirit.
Hospitality
Under the nomadic traditions it is a duty to welcome and treat any visitor with a cup of
hot tea, offer a plate with cheese, fresh cream, some curds and candies. Only after this,
a host will inquire politely where the guest comes from and where goes to. If the guest is
not in hurry, he or she will be given food and provided with a bed to sleep on. On the
guest’s side it is customary to, at least, step into a gher, to try the offered tea
and food, before starting any conversation.
The description of Middle Age travelers that it is possible to travel across the
country without spending a single penny still holds truth. Nowadays, after a decade of
transition to market economy, one will rarely be asked to pay because it is considered
shameful to ask money for hospitality. In case, the guest wants to show appreciation, a
small gift, some candies for kids will do.
Even the city folks still remember this tradition, and won’t be surprised if your
Mongolian friend shows up at your door without any warning or invitation. This is just the
custom. Up to now, the tradition of greeting a passing by caravan with a jug of freshly
brewed milk tea is being observed. This is the unwritten rule of the nomadic way for
Mongols know what is the struggle for survival and the value of timely help.
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Openness
Won’t be surprised either if a Mongolian you just met on a street invites you to
his/her home. Mongols are basically very friendly people, and easily find a common
language with others. They will ask you where are you from and where are you going. This
is not a simple curiosity because in vast open steppes, human communication and new
information it brings in are scarce commodity. If you accept the invitation and go in, be
prepared to see a stream of the host’s neighbors, relatives or others who simply walk
in and sit at a table, listening and watching. This is a peculiarity of Mongols who are
more open than any other Asian nation and appreciate the value of meeting new people and
learning new things.
Adaptation skill
Mongols are used to the extreme changes of temperature, sudden natural calamities and
become highly adaptable to any climate, perhaps, except humid one. This also applies to
different cultural settings and environments. Open for new ideas and information, Mongols
easily learn new social norms, but also quickly abandon them in new conditions. The
history shows that Mongols easily adapt to new conditions but never accept them as a rigid
norm. Perhaps, the ever-changing life of wandering nomads, as well as the flexibility of
mind necessary in changing situations explains this feature.
Reserved emotions
At first sight, Mongols seem to be very reserved showing no trace of emotions or feelings.
But this is not true, just that open expression of feelings as well as quick judgements
are traditionally considered to be improper, while patience, sound judgement and
acceptance are valued. “Shifting emotions and tempers are sinful, while understanding
is a good deed,” said elder Mongolians interview some 20 years ago by a team of
Polish ethnographers.
Helpfulness
Mongolians are always willing to help. The life in a large, sparsely populated country
where nomad families stay some 50 -100 km from each other formed two distinctive features.
One is individualism, which means reliance on own skills and knowledge to survive through
natural calamities or other tests. And the another is the readiness to help others. If one
herder family loses all their animals, relatives and neighbors will dutifully donate a
sheep or a cow to recover. If there is a problem, so will be people willing to help. This
tradition is rather being abandoned in cities, where it took the form of
“markers” - “I help you, you help me next time.”
Stamina and patience
These qualities without which the nomadic life is simply impossible, are being instilled
from the very childhood. By the age of 12-13 teenagers are fully capable to tend herds, to
look after the household. So, if one says that he/she was born and grew up in steppes mean
that the person has undergone a thorough training to be a self reliant and self confident
individual able to endure hardships and life tests.
But there are many other features of the national character of Mongols that also may
surprise foreign visitors.
Addiction to alcohol
Each and every Mongol drinks, consuming about 12 liters of alcohol per capita, from the
very top to very down, male and female. Drinking become a custom, and it is hard to
believe that 30 years ago Mongols were almost all but abstinent.
Ever since Chinggis Khaan times, drinking alcohol was strongly discouraged, and only
matured elders over 36 were allowed to drink at their will, and even in that case, only a
mild, 13-15 % proof beverage made of distilled milk was available. Historical records left
a description of a civil unrest back in 13th century when enraged residents of Khar Horum,
the capital city gathered at the doors of the Khaan Palace demanding to close a wine store
run by a foreigner.
Seven centuries later, under the faltering socialist economy short of goods and
services, the new rulers found a way to collect back wages given to workers. In 1959 the
first distillery producing vodka was built, and a heavy public relation campaign praising
“modest consumption” of alcohol launched. Mongolian Youth League members
traveled for months all across the country, promoting the benefits of drinking alcohol.
Well, the task was fulfilled and the state coffers again swelled along with the climbing
number of drinking people. Mongols do drink, and unfortunately it turns into a national
trait. Scientific research showed that Mongols lack a blood ferment that disintegrates
alcohol, and for this reason, Mongols get drunk easily losing any control. As much as 80%
of all crimes are being committed while drunken.
But even now, the tradition of abstinence holds, and it is considered impolite to press
guests to drink more than three times. And for foreigners, it is fine to just taste the
offered drink and give it back.
No punctuality, poor organization
There and here, all foreign visitors will, unavoidably, face these. But no need to waste
nerves and try to change things. At the last moment things will work out, and all problems
solved. Not that Mongols are lazy, it is just they used to spontaneous reaction towards
changing situations and conditions, a trait developed over centuries of living in a highly
unsteady natural environment where sand storms or snow avalanches come without any
warning, or rains turn into floods and summer heat results in a drought. Flexibility and
the ability to act under pressing situations, to mobilize all resources - these are the
key to survival of nomadic herdsmen.
Free wandering over the vast open steppe stretches following the natural cycles
dictated different from settled nations' perceptions of time and space. And though with
the advance of market economy the pace of life speeded up, the punctuality and the sense
of deadlines are still have not become a social norm. Space also has different meaning for
nomads limited not with house walls but the horizon only. If you are told that it is close
enough, be ready to drive for many more kilometers before reaching the destination.
Socialist mentality
Mongols as any other former socialist nations have the hangover of the “Homo
Sovieticus” mentality common for people who lived for decades under totalitarian
regimes. Do not complain if a bathtub is not working or a lamp is not switching on. Or if
you are not promptly served. These are the legacy of times when everything belonged to the
state or to nobody, and when quantity and fulfillment of plans was more important than the
quality.
Sanitary and hygiene
Do not expect European standards, especially in rural areas. The resources are scarce and
far from meeting the standards, especially hygienic ones. In past, Mongols were always
carrying along a personal cup and sticks for food. Therefore, it is better to take along
all the basic necessities, toilet paper including.
Theft and robbery
These crimes, very rare before, become common as the economic crisis took its toll in the
form of mass unemployment and impoverishment during the last decade of the transition to
market economy. Usually foreign visitors commanded deep respect, but even this is eroding
with the number of foreign victims increasing each year. The best way of avoiding such
crimes are well known: watch out when in crowded public places, walk not late night, or
carry large amounts of cash in pockets, ask for documents or identification when
approached by police officer or strangers.
Finally, be patient. Each nation has its customs, with different set of cultural
traditions and ways of life. For example, it will never occur to a Mongol to knock at door
and ask permission before entering a room. For centuries, the homes of nomads were always
open for any guest and their life was simple enough, with no need to hide anything. So do
not be angry or quick to judge. It is better to understand and accept as each one of us
has own customs and ideas.
Airag, a Health Beverage
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