Mongolian shamanism

Collection of shamanic symbols in Chingeltei near Ulaanbaatar

The obo - here in Inner Mongolia - is still an important symbol in popular belief

Temple of Sulde Tengri in Uxin-Banner , Inner Mongolia

The Mongolian Shamanism is a traditional ethnic religion in Mongolia . Often the term Mongolian Folk Religion or Yellow Shamanism is used. There are influences from classical shamanism from Siberia . These influences were favored by the nomadic way of life of the Mongols and the associated contacts with other tribes. The traditional religion was closely linked to society in Mongolia. According to the theory of Julie Steward (1963-2006) there is also a direct relationship with Tengrism .

features

Mongolian shamanism focuses on the worship of many different gods ("tngris"). The most revered god is among others "Tenger" (heaven; god of heaven) and is sometimes referred to as "munkh khukh tengri", which means "eternally blue sky".

A complex system of medicine, worship of nature, worship of gods and ancestor cult characterize the Mongolian folk religion. Shamans were commissioned to communicate with the gods and the spirit world . But as in Tibetan Bon , simple people could also come into contact with spirits or gods.

Tngri, Tengri or Tegri is the name for the "gods" or highest spiritual beings . How many of these beings there are is interpreted differently. According to some authors, there is a hierarchical system with over 100 beings, at the head of which is the Qormusta Tengri . The origin of the name Qormusta is partly seen in the Iranian Ahura Mazda . According to ancient Mongolian lore, Genghis Khan is one, if not the embodiment of the highest Tengri.

Klaus Hesse describes a complex spiritual system made up of 99 highest mythical beings and many other spirits. There are also powerful or important ancestors of various clans and nature spirits. Furthermore, there are family protection spirits who watch over close family members and support them in case of need or give them advice.

Further information

Julie Steward (her mother was from Mongolia, her father was German and she was born in the USA) developed her own version of Mongolian shamanism, which, according to her own interpretation, was linked to Tengrism. In addition, she tried to revive the "old religion" and - using the general trend towards esotericism - to win followers for it.

Shamanism was fought and suppressed by Christianity and Buddhism. In the course of time, a separate religious movement developed, which contained both elements of shamanism and Buddhism. This is how the terms yellow shamanism and black shamanism came about , the latter being considered the direction not influenced by Buddhism.

Web links

Julie Stewart: Mongolian Shamanism (= A Course in Mongolian Shamanism - Introduction 101). Golomt Center for Shamanist Studies, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, October 3, 1997 (English).
Walther Heissig , Giuseppe Tucci: The religions of Tibet and Mongolia (= The religions of humanity, 20). Kohlhammer, Stuttgart a. a. 1970, DNB 457921137 .
Klaus Hesse (1987): On the History of Mongolian Shamanism in Anthropological Perspective. In: Anthropos. 82 (4-6): 403-413. JSTOR 40463470

Individual evidence

↑ Klaus Hesse: A Note on the Transformation of White, Black and Yellow Shamanism in the History of the Mongols . In: Studies in History . tape 2 , no. 1 , February 1986, ISSN 0257-6430 , p. 17-30 , doi : 10.1177 / 025764308600200102 .
↑ Julian Baldick: Animal and Shaman: Ancient Religions of Central Asia . IB Tauris 2012, page 106
↑ John Man: Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection. Bantam Press, London 2004. ISBN 9780553814989 , pp. 402-404
↑ Klaus Hesse: On the History of Mongolian Shamanism in Anthropological Perspective . In: Anthropos . tape 82 , no. 4/6 , 1987, pp. 403-413 , JSTOR : 40463470 .
^ Ippei Shimamura: Yellow Shamans (Mongolia) . In Walter, Mariko Namba; Neumann Fridman, Eva Jane. Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture. 2004, 1st ABC-CLIO. Pp. 649-651. ISBN 978-1-57607-645-3 .
^ Carole Pegg: Mongolian Music, Dance, & Oral Narrative: Performing Diverse Identities . University of Washington Press, 2001, ISBN 978-0-295-98112-3 (English, limited preview in Google Book Search).

[1] Klaus Hesse: A Note on the Transformation of White, Black and Yellow Shamanism in the History of the Mongols . In: Studies in History . tape 2 , no. 1 , February 1986, ISSN 0257-6430 , p. 17-30 , doi : 10.1177 / 025764308600200102 .

[2] Julian Baldick: Animal and Shaman: Ancient Religions of Central Asia . IB Tauris 2012, page 106

[3] John Man: Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection. Bantam Press, London 2004. ISBN 9780553814989 , pp. 402-404

[4] Klaus Hesse: On the History of Mongolian Shamanism in Anthropological Perspective . In: Anthropos . tape 82 , no. 4/6 , 1987, pp. 403-413 , JSTOR : 40463470 .

[5] Ippei Shimamura: Yellow Shamans (Mongolia) . In Walter, Mariko Namba; Neumann Fridman, Eva Jane. Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs, Practices, and Culture. 2004, 1st ABC-CLIO. Pp. 649-651. ISBN 978-1-57607-645-3 .

[6] Carole Pegg: Mongolian Music, Dance, & Oral Narrative: Performing Diverse Identities . University of Washington Press, 2001, ISBN 978-0-295-98112-3 (English, limited preview in Google Book Search).