MongolJournal

MongolJournal "MongolJournal" is a platform dedicated to exploring Mongolian language, culture, and history

Did you know these two cultures never met, yet arrived at nearly the same idea? What does that tell us?Khiimori (Хийморь...
17/05/2026

Did you know these two cultures never met, yet arrived at nearly the same idea? What does that tell us?

Khiimori (Хийморь) is a Mongolian concept often associated with one’s spiritual vitality, fortune, courage, and life energy.

In Mongolian culture, a person with high khiimori is believed to possess strong presence, confidence, momentum, and favorable fortune. The symbol of the wind horse (хийморийн морь) is closely tied to this idea, representing rising spirit and inner strength.

In Old Norse belief, hugr referred to a person’s inner spirit, thought, will, and emotional essence. The concept appears throughout Norse literature and sagas, where a strong hugr could influence courage, determination, and even spiritual presence.

Unlike the Mongolian concept of khiimori, hugr was more closely connected to the mind, intention, and personal consciousness.

Both concepts are connected to one’s:
-Inner strength
-Courage
-Personal presence
-Spiritual or psychological power

In warrior societies such as the Mongols and Norse peoples, these ideas reflected the belief that strength came not only from the body, but also from one’s inner state.

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Mongolia ranks #2 in the world for meat consumption at 131.78 kg per person per year, and honestly that should probably...
11/05/2026

Mongolia ranks #2 in the world for meat consumption at 131.78 kg per person per year, and honestly that should probably be no surprise. The global average is just 42 kg of meat, meaning Mongolians eat three times what most people around the world do in a year.

It is a reflection of thousands of years of nomadic herding culture where meat wasn't a luxury, it was survival. Beef, mutton, horse meat, it is all part of the daily rhythm of Mongolian life from the countryside to the city table.

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Pure freedom is riding a horse out on the steppe, looking up at the blue sky above you, and breathing in that summer bre...
11/05/2026

Pure freedom is riding a horse out on the steppe, looking up at the blue sky above you, and breathing in that summer breeze.

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What is Khuraldai (Kurultai)?A khuraldai (kurultai) was a traditional assembly of nobles and leaders among Mongolic and ...
03/05/2026

What is Khuraldai (Kurultai)?

A khuraldai (kurultai) was a traditional assembly of nobles and leaders among Mongolic and Turkic peoples, dating back to ancient nomadic confederations like the Huns (Xiongnu).

It served as an official gathering where major decisions were made, including the proclamation of a khan, military campaigns, and matters of state.

These assemblies were central to steppe governance and were often held in open spaces, where princes (noed), military commanders, and influential clan leaders gathered.

A khuraldai was not just a meeting as it functioned as a source of political legitimacy.

The proclamation of a ruler required recognition by leading nobles and royal lineages, especially members of the Borjigin lineage in the Mongol context.

While not a strictly formal voting system, it reflected a process of elite consensus, alliance-building, and confirmation of authority, often tied to loyalty and power dynamics.

Historically, the most significant khuraldai took place in 1206 at the headwaters of the Onon river, where Temüjin was officially proclaimed "Chinggis Khan". These assemblies were not merely bureaucratic meetings but grand ceremonies characterized by elaborate feasts, traditional rituals, and the symbolic raising of the "Sulde" (spirit banner).

Leaders would gather around the central imperial tent (ger), with the hierarchy of seating reflecting the complex social and political structure of the Mongol nobility.

Later khuraldais also selected rulers such as Ögedei Khan (1229) and Möngke Khan (1251), and were used to organize large-scale military campaigns and imperial governance.

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Tarag is a traditional Mongolian yogurt made from fermented milk, commonly from cow, yak, sheep, or goat. In nomadic hou...
27/04/2026

Tarag is a traditional Mongolian yogurt made from fermented milk, commonly from cow, yak, sheep, or goat. In nomadic households, tarag is a daily staple, valued for its freshness, nutrition, probiotics and natural dairy taste.

It is often eaten on its own in a bowl or served with meals as a dessert, especially during the warm summer months. More than just food, tarag reflects a way of life centered around livestock, seasonality, and self-sufficiency.

How is Tarag made in the countryside?

Fresh milk is first boiled and then cooled to a warm temperature.
A small amount of previously made tarag (as a starter) is added to the milk and gently mixed.
The mixture is then covered and kept warm, often inside a ger, for several hours or overnight.
By the next day, the milk naturally ferments into tarag, developing its slightly sour taste and thick texture.

If no starter is available, tarag-making (тараг бүрэх) can be begun through natural fermentation or by obtaining a small amount (хөрөнгө) from another household.”

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What is Ovoo?An ovoo (овоо) is a sacred cairn or ritual stone mound found across Mongolia, often built from stones, wood...
08/04/2026

What is Ovoo?

An ovoo (овоо) is a sacred cairn or ritual stone mound found across Mongolia, often built from stones, wood, and blue khadag scarves.

It is usually placed on mountaintops, hill passes, and spiritually significant locations as ovoos are closely connected to Mongolian beliefs about nature, spirits, and respect for the land. In other words, ovoos are places where people have long expressed respect, made offerings, and asked for a blessing or a protection.

Their meaning today reflects both ancient beliefs and later Buddhist influence, making them an important part of Mongolia’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

When coming across an ovoo, people may walk around it three times clockwise, add a stone by throwing one on each circle, and leave offerings such as milk, airag, sweets, or khadag as a sign of respect.

While doing so, some may quietly make a wish or speak traditional words of offering, such as “Овооны эхэн тандаа, Олзны эхэн наддаа” (An offering first to the ovoo, and blessings in return for myself). It is a phrase expressing reverence and a wish for blessing, fortune, or good return.

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Mongolia is set to host COP17 this summer, bringing global attention to issues such as desertification, land degradation...
23/03/2026

Mongolia is set to host COP17 this summer, bringing global attention to issues such as desertification, land degradation, and sustainability.

COP17 refers to the Conference of the Parties, an international meeting where countries come together to address environmental issues. In Mongolia’s case, this refers to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), focusing on land degradation, desertification, and sustainable land management.

Mongolia is one of the countries most affected by desertification and climate change with large areas of land facing environmental pressure. Hosting COP17 highlights Mongolia’s role in global environmental discussions and brings attention to the challenges faced by countries with fragile ecosystems.

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Source: unccdcop17.org

What is Mongolian S***f Bottle (Khuurug)?A Mongolian s***f bottle, known as khuurug (хөөрөг), is a small container used ...
20/03/2026

What is Mongolian S***f Bottle (Khuurug)?

A Mongolian s***f bottle, known as khuurug (хөөрөг), is a small container used to hold powdered to***co.

Khuurug has long been a part of Mongolian social etiquette, particularly among men, and is closely associated with more traditional greetings and formal interactions.

It is especially prominent during occasions such as Tsagaan Sar (Mongolian Lunar New Year), where exchanging s***f bottles is part of traditional visiting customs.

The material and craftsmanship of a s***f bottle is often made from jade, coral, agate, silver or other stones, and can reflect one’s personal taste, and sometimes indicate age, experience, or social standing.

Exchanging s***f bottles (khuurug zuruulekh) is a structured and respectful gesture within Mongolian etiquette.

-One person or both presents their bottle
-The other receives it with both hands with the left hand supporting the right elbow
-They usually exchange greetings such as
Таны бие лагшин тунгалаг уу (Are you in good health and well-being?)
Сүрэг мал онд мэнд тарган тавтай оров уу (Did your herd enter the new season safe, healthy, and well-fed?)
-Slightly opens it and takes a sniff, and/or may take a small pinch of s***f
-Return with the bottle cap slightly tightened, not fully

In some cases, the act is symbolic, and taking s***f is not always necessary. The emphasis lies in the gesture of mutual respect, acknowledgment, and social connection.

This practice is commonly referred to as ‘khuurug zuruulekh’ (хөөрөг зөрүүлэх) and remains an important expression of tradition.

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Sand dune particles in the Southern Gobi.
16/03/2026

Sand dune particles in the Southern Gobi.

What is Mongolian Shamanism?Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual traditions in the world. It refers to a system of b...
05/03/2026

What is Mongolian Shamanism?

Shamanism is one of the oldest spiritual traditions in the world. It refers to a system of beliefs and practices in which a shaman acts as a mediator between the human world and the spiritual realm.

Shamans are believed to communicate with spirits, elder ancestors, and natural forces to seek guidance, healing, and balance. These practices are traditionally connected to nature, animals, and the spiritual energy of the land.

Shamanic traditions have existed across many regions, including Central Asia, Siberia, the Americas, and eparts of Northern Europe.

In Mongolian, it's known as Böö mörgöl (Бөө мөргөл) , often translated as "shamanism" or more broadly as Mongolian folk religion.

Mongolian shamanism is an ancient spiritual tradition practiced by the nomadic peoples of the Mongolian steppe. It centers around the belief that nature, ancestors, and the eternal sky possess spiritual power.

Shamans perform rituals to communicate with spirits, seek protection, and maintain harmony between humans and the natural world. Rituals often involve drumming, chanting, and offerings to ancestral and nature spirits (лус савдаг).

Despite historical suppression during the 20th communism era, Mongolian shamanism has experienced a revival since the 1990s, and today it remains an important part of Mongolia’s cultural heritage. According to recent census data, around 2.5-3% of the population in Mongolia officially identifies with shamanism as their primary religion.

Tengrism refers to the ancient spiritual belief system centered around Tengri, the Eternal Blue Sky, which was historically revered by many Turkic and Mongolic peoples.

In Mongolian traditions, Munkh Khukh Tengri (literally meaning ‘Eternal Blue Sky’) represents the supreme heavenly force and the natural order of the universe.

While Tengrism and Mongolian shamanism are closely connected, they are not always identical concepts. Tengrism often refers to the broader sky-centered belief system, while shamanism refers more specifically to the ritual practices carried out by shamans who interact with spirits and ancestral forces.

Today, the relationship between these terms is interpreted in different ways by scholars and practitioners.

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Doesn't Mongolian nature remind you of that popular Windows XP background?
24/02/2026

Doesn't Mongolian nature remind you of that popular Windows XP background?

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