Mongolia’s Culture and Society

Description

This book describes nomadic life and culture in Mongolia depicting the patterns of the Ch'ing period (1644-1912), in which all the Mongols lived under the administration and control of the Chinese empire. It explains the patterns of the subsequent revolutionary period which altered the life of them. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents List of Illustrations Foreword Preface 1 LAND AND PEOPLE OF THE MONGOLIAN STEPPES 2 ELEMENTS OF NOMADIC CULTURE Herding Hunting Food Dress Transportation Dwellings and Concept of Space 3 LIFESTYLE OF THE NOMADS Birth and Childhood Adulthood and Marriage Old Age, Illness, Death, and Burial Daily Life and Recreation Festivals and Seasonal Activities Behavior Patterns, Etiquette, and Attitudes Social Thought and Values Taboos and Customs 4 RELIGION Shamanism Lamaist Buddhism Christianity and Islam 5 LETTERS AND ARTS Language Writing Systems Literature Education Art and Relics Music, Dance, and Drama 6 THE SOCIO-POLITICAL STRUCTURE IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE The Clan-Lineage System Clan Confederations and the Emergence of Steppe States From Clan Confederations to a Nomadic Quasi-Feudalism Institutional Changes After the Fall of the Empire Socio-Political Structure Under the Manchu Social Classes: The Nobility and the People The End of Nomadic Empires 7 ECONOMY AND POLITY The Economy: Trade and Tribute The Economy: Agriculture and Manufacturing Political Structure: Leagues and Banners Political Structure: Unique Traditional Institutions Law Military Institutions: Structure and Function 8 POSTSCRIPT ON MODERN CULTURE Identification of Major References Key to Short Title References Notes Index