U569  Inner Modern Mongolia
Lecture, Thursday, Week 1

 

  1. Geographical Unites
    1. 1500:  the six tumens (10,000s) of the Mongols
      1. East:  Chakhar, Khalkha (N. & S.), Uriyangkhan (or else Khorchin)
      2. West:  Ordos, Tümed, Yünsgshiyebü
      3. Tümens divided into otogs (pasture-grounds)
    2. Qing dynasty system
      1. Qing dynasty banners (khoshuu)
        1. Indivisible, ruled by one ruler (jasag) with primogeniture
        2. Qing emperors do occasionally redraw, multiply banners
      2. Qing dynasty leagues/assemblies (chuulgan)
        1. Banners grouped, rulers meet every three years
        2. Not a strong organization, just linking of banners
      3. Aimag ("tribe" or "province")
        1. Common name, dialect, customs, dress ruling families related
        2. By this point, NOT tribal in the social-anthropological sense
        3. Unless aimag=league, no administrative function
      4. Eight-banners areas
        1. Less autonomy than autonomous banners
        2. Rulers not hereditary, many herd imperial stud, sheep, cattle
    3. Modern changes
      1. Republic of China (1912-1931):  kept banners and leagues
        1. Eight-banners/autonomous banners distinction eliminated
      2. Japanese (1931-45):  banners reformed, leagues become provinces
      3. PRC (1949 on ):  banner and league/aimag name retained in IMAR
        1. Administration identical to counties and district
        2. League/aimag boundaries extensively altered
  2. Major Regional Cultures
    1. Ordos:  Culturally, literarily active, cult of Chinggis Khan, religious
    2. Höhhot Tümeds:  farmers, sinicized, Communist leaders
    3. Chakhar:  fief of last emperors and Qing, pastoral but hit by colonization, literate
    4. Hulun Buir:  Manchu influence, Buddhism weak, no Chinggisids, clans strong
    5. Daurs:  Farmers and ranchers not Buddhist, very educated (Naun Muren & Hailar
    6. Kharachins/Josotu:  early sedentarized, landlords, highly educated > sincized
    7. Khorchins:  sedentarized herders/farmers, Chinese folk culture, big in IMAR
    8. Juu Uda:  now sedentary pastoral, educated, resent Khorchin success
    9. Khalkha:  dominates "Outer" Mongolia, Buddhist heartland, "slow," "backward"
    10. Buriat:  in Russia, Buddhism weak, no Chinggisids, clans strong; educated, Russified