Methodological aspectsfor the study of nomadic civilizations

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Some Results of the Studies on Development
Aspects of the Nomadic Civilizations in the
regions of Central Asia
Round Table Central Asia-crossroad of Cultures
and Civilizations

• Introduction
• Methodological aspectsfor the study of nomadic
  civilizations
• New challenges for nomadic civilizations in the
  regions of Central Asia
• Issues on pastoral nomadism
• Concluding remarks
• Reference

By Academician B.Enkhtuvshin (Vice-President of
MAS, Director of the IISNC) Phone
00976-11-267827, Mobile [phone],
Fax[phone] E-Mail
nomciv_at_magicnet.mn
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GEOGRAPHICAL LOCALIZATION OF NOMADS IN THE WORLD
Methodological aspects for the study of nomadic
civilizations

• The first part of the presentation is to
  introduce the summarized results of studies and
  researches conducted by the scholars and experts
  of IISNC last 5 years.
• IISNC aims to
• - Increase further knowledge on nomadic cultures
  and their contribution to the world civilization,
  through an interdisciplinary approach promote the
  understanding and appreciation of links between
  the past, present and future, and contribute
  towards the renewal of intercultural dialogue in
  the regions concerned.
• Provide a framework for a multidisciplinary
  study of nomadic civilizations, in which scholars
  will be able to further their researches in
  relevant disciplines.

This table indicates their specific gravity of
the nomads to the total world population. About
40 of these states are located in Eurasia and
Asian continent.
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Development of civilizations in the XXI century
tends to go in two lines, which is an acceptance
of the common tendency of the globalizing world
and regional civilization in their own
specific. The main characteristics of the XXI
century include the shift from international
relations based on primacy of capital
accumulation and weapon races to a system, which
is based on information network, and inter
civilizations consensus. In this new reality the
development of civilizations will be the
combination so the global civilization and local
civilizations.
The overall view of the discussions reveals of
the three lines transformation of civilizations,
in the globalized world.
- Criticism of western Hegemony - Reflections
on the paradigm or tradition and renovation - A
search for new directions
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Activity framework of IISNC includes the study of
nomadic society at international level. We have
completed scientific analyses in this field and
published a bookNomadismInternational Study.
Now I will introduce the Threefold methodology
for the comparative study of civilizations.
Threefold comparative Study of Civilizations
We consider that the future for any civilization
depends not only on its population number and
density but on its contribution to the
development of human kind. Our goals will be to
determine mechanisms for defining the
contribution of civilizations based on these
criteria. Of course these mechanisms will differ
from each other according to main civilization
components.
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New challenges for nomadic civilizations in the
regions of Central Asia

• IISNC has following goals
• - Contribute, on the basis of fundamental and
  applied researches, to advance the nomadic
  peoples life assisting the nomads to better meet
  the needs and requirements of todays world, and
  preserving their cultural identity, values and
  ways of life.
• Advise policy-makers and planners by providing
  research-based recommendations for development
  planning in the nomadic living space.
• The followings are the international scientific
  expeditions organized by IISNC from 2000-2004.
• - Transformation of the Central Asian nomads
• - Cultural Anthropological and Ecological
  comparative study of Nomadic Life
• - Cultural Heritage of the Central Asian Nomads
• The route of the first international expedition
  is seen in the map.

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Joint expedition on Cultural Anthropological and
Ecological comparative study of the nomadic life
Cultural Heritage of the Central Asian Nomads
Eight scholars from Mongolia, RF and PRC
participated in the international expedition
Cultural Heritage of the Central Asian Nomads
which started on July 15.2002 for 20 days by the
rout from Ulaan-Ude-Abakan-Kyzyl-Ulaangom-Khar
Khorin. It covered around 5000 kms. The second
phase of the expedition hosted by XingJiang
University started on July 15-25. 2004 in the
territory of PRC by the route Urumchi-Cyili-Kuche-
Turpan-Urumchi.
The international expedition Cultural
Anthropological, Ecological Comparative Study of
the Nomadic life, which was jointly organized
during the period of June 10 to July 13, 2002 by
the IISNC and the Institute of Nationality
Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
of the PRC. The expedition covered more then 3000
kms through the territories of four soums of PRC
and four soums of Mongolia.
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Now I will briefly introduce the 3 main research
fields of the expeditions.
HISTORY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND ETHNOGRAPHY ISSUES
Basic purposes in this field were
- To look through and register all archaeological
data and sources along the route of the
expedition
- To situate along the route the geographical
names of mountains and river and issues on
preservation and restoration of the historical
places

• To make recording on ethnography data,
  information on the historical items,
  archaeological findings, stone and cave
  inscriptions and others,
• From the archeological research, it is shown that
  Mongols had paper-making technology in the 13th
  century and also interesting dresses and utensil
  found from Noyon mountain graves and Ivolig in
  findings.

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MENTALITY CULTURE ISSUES
The research expeditions worked to cover all the
aspects of nomads mentality culture.
Depending on professional specifics of
researchers, more attention was paid on folklore,
folk music and religious ritual issues. The
nomadic folk culture as an evidence of peoples
talent is reserved in the deep heart of people,
expressing their views and executing an
inspiring, educating and teaching role. It is
concluded that nomads traditional way of life
and their skills to know and adapt the nature law
had a cause of formation, variation and
evaluation of folk culture connected with
pastoral nomads rituals. Moreover, the nomadic
way of life has an advantage to preserve its own
tradition and culture.
In spite of influences of modern globalization,
science and technology progress and agrarian
culture, the Mongols could preserve their own
original culture, tradition and folklore.
Specially, these are reflected in national
celebrations and sports Three manly sports,
wedding celebration, White month or first days
of new year, celebration of a new house-ger, by
telling poems, expressing their feelings and
wishes in poetic ways and singing national long
songs.
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• Language is one of the most original elements of
  culture and civilization. Mongolian language is a
  mother language in the territory of Buriatiya,
  Mongolia and Inner Mongolia. In Buriatiya
  population that is under 40 years of age does not
  speak or write in Mongolian. Officially
  recognized and used language is Russian. Thus,
  the usage of its Mother language has become
  highly restricted.
• In terms of China, the situation is quite
  different. However, the predominance of Chinese
  language is the main obstacle for the usage of
  Mongolian in all levels of the society. Since
  Chinese is the official language, higher
  education and government affairs have been
  dominated by the official language.
• Another important issue is the Mongolian script
  its knowledge, usage is also insufficient and it
  poses another important issue in the study of
  traditional culture and civilization. For
  example, the Buriyat vertical script, that is
  based on Mongolian script is only known to
  scholars. Since the 1990s Mongolia implemented
  the study of traditional Mongolian Script in our
  elementary and high school programs. However, the
  state official scripts is in Cyrillic. The usage
  and study of traditional Mongolian script among
  population of ages 25-60 is very low. On the
  other hand, in Inner Mongolia population that
  uses Mongolian language are indeed widely using
  its traditional Mongolian script.

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• Furthermore, in areas where we have done research
  the issue of religion is also very important to
  the question of the culture and civilization.
  Spread of Atheism in this region had a negative
  influence on development of religion. Atheist
  ideology had spread widely in Buriatiya since
  20th century, in Mongolia since the 30s of 20th
  century and in Inner Mongolia since 50s of 20th
  century. Traditionally Mongolian religion was
  Shamanism, later on buddism and Christianity
  have become widely spread. Since the 1990s the
  freedom of religion in those regions have become
  possible. In Mongolia buddism, shamanism and
  islam are widely spread among the population.
  According to research data more than 50 per cent
  of respondents are religious, indeed 50,4 percent
  are Buddhist 2, 2 percent Christian 6,5 percent
  - Muslim and 2,4 percent - other religions. In
  Buriatiya buddism, shamanism and Christianity
  are widely spread among the population. However,
  in Inner Mongolia the major religion is buddism.
• Basic changes occurred in nomads mentality.
  They could feel more religious freedom and
  freethinking thanks to the democratic reforms.
  According to the research data more than 50.4
  percent of nomads are Buddhists, 2.2 percent -
  Christians, 6.5 percent - Muslims and 2.4 percent
  Jewish and the remaining percent - other
  religions.

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Socio-economic and civilizational changes
On the basis of the preliminary results of our
researches, the changes of socio-economy and
civilization of the Inner Asian nomads can be
demonstrated in the following topics.

• Changes of nomads life mode
• Changes in nomads social structure
• Way of spending free time
• Nomads social service
• Issues on land, pasture and animal
• husbandry

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The most important part of the international
expeditions was to determine the present state
and perspective of nomadism in Inner Asian
region. And, now I am introducing the conclusion
on this field of research. The outcome of
our international expeditions clearly
demonstrates the followings.
Issues on Pastoral Nomadism
Firstly, as a result of globalization, it is
required to conduct extensive studies on the
independent development of regions and nations.
The ecology of Africa, Inner Asia and Middle East
never allows to prosper all the advantages of
farms as a type of animal husbandry management,
while in most of the Asian and European countries
the nature, ecology and management are ideal for
the development of this type of animal husbandry.
On the other hand, for some nations, their
traditions, culture and customs are genuinely
rooted in the nomadic society, therefore, social,
cultural and psychological factors to make
reforms in the society can not be formed. It
could cause a negative effect of globalization,
if so examined intensely.
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Secondly, a new tendency of the global
development complex of human development-life
quality-comfortable living condition, which was
understood and accepted by the humans by the end
of 20th century, requires us to do not loose
human morality and kindness to each other, to
save our home the Earth, and to provide the
people with drinking water and cotton clothes.
The comparative researches conducted in Mongolia,
RF and PRC proved that this requirement could be
met only through pastoral nomadism.
Thirdly, any economy develops depending on human
resources and management skills, though some
economies entirely rely on the weather condition,
natural resource and geographical location. One
of such economies is the pastoral nomadism that
developed for thousands years as a result of the
Neolithic revolution in the Inner Asian
mountainous area.
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Keeping in our mind the abovementioned three
main factors, we have to consider the following
policy or principles to develop animal husbandry
in its transition period. 1. To develop
pastoral nomadism in the area with appropriate
ecological conditions 2. To develop farms in the
harmonies with the regional development tendency.
There are, of course, some common and specific
issues related to the development of pastoral
nomadism and farms. It is understandable that the
common issues are rooted in the modern Mongolian
society, which is a combination of nomadic and
sedentary civilizations. First of all, in order
to enhance the proper structure of management, it
is important to prepare and train the educated
specialists. Second common issue for the both
pastoral nomadism and farm development is to
apply science knowledge and advances. Herders and
farms are required to be well educated in the
21st century. And, the demand to improve economic
knowledge of family members and prepare managers
for farms is increasing.
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Concluding remarks
We consider that pluralism of civilizations
should be ensured through preventing from
downfalls, loses or dominations of any
civilizations and harmonize the tradition and
the reformation in a globalizing world. Also we
think that each country should include the issues
of protecting and preserving of nomadic
civilizations, respecting for national culture
in their own policy on culture. I would like to
notice that the policy on providing the dialogue
among civilizations, the registering and
protecting of cultural heritage of other nations
with the world tangible and intangible cultural
heritage being implemented by UNOs and its
institute UNESCO, is given a great support from
public and scholars in the resent years. We are
glad that Orhon Valley has been registered with
the world cultural heritage site, and mongolian
famous musical instrument Morin huur is
registered with an intangible cultural heritage.
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• The future destiny of nomadic civilization is
  directly caused by its carriers pastural
  livestock and changes of nomadism. In the region
  of our research, it is shown that traditional
  technology of nomads, the knowledge of steppe
  nomads, traditional customs of pasturalism are
  still being preserved, even though there is a lot
  of imperative issues of usage of pasture,
  pastural livestock and its management.
• I would like to mark that cultural heritage
  derived from nomadism is being remained.
  /folklore song, epic, shaman, ecological
  education, ceremony of offering to sacred
  mountains/. There is no doubt that nomadic
  civilizations will be interacted and developed
  and transformed in the 21st century, which is
  shown from our research.

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At the end of my presentation, I would like to
suggest to all of you to pay an attention to the
following issues 2006 is going to be
noteworthy year for Mongolians. This is 800th
anniversary of the establishment of Mongol State.
The forthcoming anniversary is to be concerned as
a golden page of not only Mongols history but
the history of world civilization development.
The Mongol Empire conducted conquests, but it
contributed more than any other empires to the
development of world civilizations. It was a
historic demand to establish Mongolia as a nation
state bringing a big change in the development of
the Mongolian nomadic society. Chinggis khan
understood this earlier than others and initiated
profound social, political, military, economic
and intellectual changes. At the same time the
great Chinggis khan managed to apply the treasure
of old customs and traditions to the development
challenges.
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Hunnu State
Moreover, we will celebrate 2200th anniversary of
the establishment of Hunnu State in 2009. The
Hunnu State created the first challenge of
Mongolian nomadic society some 2000 years ago
making an important contribution to the history
of world civilization. The period of Hunnu State
gave birth to the Mongolian statehood traditions,
nomadic cultural development, trade exchanges,
writings and customs. These traditions based on
the culture originated from nomadic husbandry and
customs derived from particular geographic and
natural conditions. Within the framework of
above-mentioned events, 9th and 10th
international congress of Mongolists and an
international congress of Young mongolists is
going to be organized by IISNC in 2006. Also, we
have sent our proposal to UNESCO to organize an
international expedition on Crossroads of Silk
and Nomads in 2008.
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Thank you