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Mongolian nationality¡¡
The Mongolian people, who are the main body of the population of Inner
Mongolia, have their own traditional social customs and etiquette
which are especially imbued with the characteristics of honesty, courtesy
and hospitality. When they meet a guest, they warmly shake hands with
him and say "Tasain bainu" (which means "How do you
do" in Mongolian). When the guest gets into the yurt, the housewife
presents him a bowl of milk tea with both her hands and then puts
all kinds of dairy food on the table in front of the guest.When the
guest leaves, all the family get out of the yurt to say to him "Good-bye
and wish you a good trip". The Mongolian Yurt.
The Nadam Fair. Mongolian Ox
Cart. Religion. Dress and
Personal Adornment. Arts.
Offering Sacrifices to Obao
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The Mongolian Yurt
The Mongolian Yurt, called "a vaulted tent" or "felt
tent" in the ancient times, is a domed pealed tent. The frame
of the yurt is a supporting ring, formed by some wooden poles. The
wooden poles are fastened with leather thongs and studs to form a
fence-like structure (which are called "Hana" in Mongolian).
The frame of the yurt is covered with thick felt fastened from outside
the yurt with ropes. Every yurt has an opening on the top, which provides
both light and ventilation, and a wooden door facing south or southeast.
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The Nadam Fair
The word Nadam means recreation or games in Mongolian. The Nadam
Fair is the traditional gathering of the Mongolian people, who use
this exciting gathering as a big occasion to compete in the horse-racing,
wrestling and archery which are regarded as the three basic skills
of men. Meanwhile, people make good use of this gathering to hold
talks and establish relations in economic trade or to interchange
goods. The Nadam Fair is often held in the golden autumn.
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 Mongolian
Ox Cart
The ox cart, also called the "Lele" cart, is a traditional
traffic vehicle invented and used by the Mongolian people. It used
to be made of birch wood or elm wood. The cart itself weighs about
50 kilograms. It is capable of carrying a few hundred or a thousand
kilograms of goods.
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Religion
The Mongolian people began to believe in Lamaism, a sect of Buddhism
in the 13th century. Now Lamaism still has wide influence and numerous
followers in Inner Mongolia.
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 Dress
and Personal Adornment
In order to adapt themselves to the natural conditions, the  Mongolian
people have developed their unique national costume which consists
of the loose sleeved tunic, the long sash, Mongolian boot and head
ornaments. The Mongolian women often wear head-dress while they visit
their friends and relatives. The head-dress is make of agate, pearls,
coral, jadeite, gem, gold and silver, with which many different beautiful
patterns and formed.
It is customary for the Mongolian women to wrap their heads in scarlet
or green silk. The Mongolian men wear hats with heavy ear-flags in
winter. The robes worn by Mongolian people have high collars and long
loose sleeves, reach below the knees and button down at the right
breast. The sash is often worn round the waist to match the robe.
The materials of the robes can be silk, satin or cotton cloth. They
are suitable for riding horses.
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 Arts
The Mongolian folk songs, which fall into two tunes---major and
minor, display the unique style of the ethnic music. The major is
characterized by lengthy composition, trembling and vibration pitch,
graceful and dignified melody with a few words. The minor has the
feature of regular rhythm and metres. All the folk songs reflect the
Mongolian people's bold and unconstrained character, frank and open
personality, and enthusiastic simple and honest qualities.
Haolaibao, a local drama, has been popular and well received in Inner
Mongolia. Its tune is fixed and the words of songs are almost improvised
by the performers who are inspired by something or some scenes. Generally,
the drama is performed by one, two or more actors in the form of singing.
The Mongolia dances have long enjoyed good reputation. Such dances
as traditional Saber Dance, Ordos Dance, Chopsticks Dance, and Cup
and Bowl Dance are all characterized by the sprightly rhythm, exquisite
movements and gestures, and unbounded and stirring atmosphere, vividly
revealing the Mongolian people's temperament of enthusiasm, openness
and honesty.
The most favorite musical instrument of the Mongolian people is called
Ma-Tou-Qin-------a bowed stringed instrument with a scroll carved
like a horse's head. The actor usually plays it by himself. Sometimes
he plays the instrument to accompany his own singing. The music and
singing are both melodious. |
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