Mongolians and Inner Mongolia
With a population of 4,807, 000, the Mongolians were originally herdsmen roaming
the Ergun River banks and moved to the grasslands of western Mongolia later. They were
living on the upper reaches of the Onon, Ke~len and Tula rivers anti in the Hentey
Mountains by the 12~ century. Genghis Khan organized a powerful Mongolian army
early in the 13'h century and conquered various Mongolian Iribes to found the Mongol
Khanate. Knblai Khan, the successor of Genghis Khan, unified China under the Yuan
Dynasty (1206--1368) after he succeeded in overthrowing the Southern Song Dynasty
(1127--1279). They once conquered many countries in Asia and Europe too. In ancient
times and in lnodern hlstory, there are nmnerous examples of their sll~ggles and rebels
against the feudal rule~ and invaders.
Mongolians mainly live in Inner Mongolia, while the rest ale distributed mainly in
Xingjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, Henan,
Sichuan, Yunnan provinces and Beijing city. They originally were nomadic people
engaged chiefly in livestock breeding, hunting and growing cereal crops as a sideline.
Grain, beef, mutton, dairy products and rice aM their main food. Since they engage in
livestock breeding, they generally dwell in yurts (circular domed portable tents) and
subsist on a diet rich in milk products and cheese and inutton. Those in Ihe agricultural
districts, their houses am built of clay and wood or bricks and wood. They dress in cotton
cloth. They have long and wide gowns with silk bands at their waists. Males also wear
hats or turbans and little ornamental knives attached to their waistbands. The women wear
long braids, intertwined with red and blue fabric. Both of men and women wear leather
coats, felt boots and thr caps to prevent coldness in winter. In general, having a distinctive
style of living, their typical clothing consists of leather boots and robes.
The custom of nominal marriages was widespread~ however the practice of monogamy
has become widely accepted among the Mongolians after 1949, with the promulgation of
the Marriage Law. The Mongolians used to live exclusively in yurts, which suited their
nomadic life style. However since the 1950s, they have begun to live in the permanent
settlements.
Lamaism was introduced into Mongolia in 1260 by the priest ruler of Tibet. Gradually
it became the major faith. Mongolians have had their own language since the beginning
of the 13~h century, formed from the Altaic family. The Mongolians have a title cultural
and literary tradition. One of their earliest important works is the lnside HZrto~v ~I
Mongolia. Since then, a number of important historical and literary works have been
written in the language. The National Origins of the Mongolians is another example.
Their important works include in natural science and medicine too. Many classical
literary works from Hart and Tibetan have also been translated into the Mongolian
language. A number of their folk tales and ballads have been handed down orally for
many generations. Mongolians are also good singers and dancers. The area of Inner
Mongolia is often referred to as " the sea of songs". Among the most characteristic
Mongolian dances are the Horse Sabre Dance, Wine cup and Chopsticks Dance, both
performed with brisk steps. The Mongolian horse-head guitars produce low, wide and
melodious and pleasant sounds. Mongolians are also well known for their proficiency in
horsemanship, wrestling and archery.
The annual Nadamu Fair is held in April or May or during the autumn Nadamu Festival
when people's herds are doing the best. The fair features events such as wrestling, horse
racing, archery, singing and dancing. Contests in track and field, ball and chess games,
art performances and business transactions have been added to the program since 1950s.
Being one of the major highlights of Mongolian life, Nadam attracts people living many
miles away to come on horseback, by cart or by motor-car, Many Mongolian herdsmen
bring their fal/~ily members dressed in their national costumes along with them. When
they arrive at the fairgrounds, they spread out their wine, butter tea and other foods in
picnic fashion and exchange toasts. Young people of both sexes deck out their horses
with bells, new saddles and new stirrups. They go in groups, chatting and laughing
merrily all their way to the Nadam. The fairgrounds of Nadamu become alive wlth the
sounds of singing, clapping and cheering. The performance concludes Mongolian songs
and graceful Andai Dance. All competitions draw large crowds of people too, Another
feature off the fair is the large-scale sale is held. Herdsmen sell their products such as
wool, medicinal herbs, furs, and buy some products like silk, cloth, boots, compassed
tea, cotton and some special articles for Mongolian use.
Inner Mongolia, which plays an important role in China's western development, is
situated on a plateau in Northern China. The region is rich in both natural ~sources and
products such as skins, medicinal herbs and other native products. The extensive grasslands provide excellent conditions for animal husbandry. Its fertile plains produce
good crops of wheat, oat and glutinous millet. Through 50 years of economic
const~ction, especially the work in the past two decades, Inner Mongolia has developed
into an important base of commodity grains and livestock products, raw materials and
energy in Northern China.
Being an essential part of the economy of the western region, its mineral deposits
include coal, iron, manganese and chromium, Many heavy industrial enterprises and
cities, including the Baotou Iron and Steel Company, Hohhot, Baotou, Wuhai, Chifeng
and Tongliao have commenced producing iron, steel and nonferrous metals, coal,
machinery, chenricals and other items. This area greatly promotes the frontier trade and
foreign economic and technological cooperation with other areas. Manzhouli and Erenhot
are two typical places of the 18 frontier land ports opened to the outside world in recent
years.
Inner Mongolia is the most important ecological "defence line" in north China. Most
areas of Inner Mongolia are short of water. Improving the effective usage and volume of
water supply and solving the problem of inadequate drinking water are urgent tasks. The
northwest and the capital city. It can also change the condition of drought on the Yellow
Building the ecological environment is the primary task in implementing the strategy of
western development. Sustainable development is demanded in the ecological
construction. The projects including returning farm land into forest and grassland,
planting grass and forbidding husbandry in pastoral area, construction of key ecological
counties at the state-level, construction of the protective shelter of marl-made forests,
sand control and prevention, and protection of the natural forest in Greater Hinggan
Mountains and ecological immigration. According to the great goals of building beautiful
environment, great result of the ecological construction will be achieved by 2015. Inner
important economic growth point" of Northern China by the mid 21st century.
inner Mongolia boasts vast grassland, exotic primitive forest and brilliant culture and
strong folk flavour, allowing it to develop its tourism industry. Hulun Buir and Xilth Gol
grasslands are the major tourism areas.