Page | 50Chapter 4: Society
Introduction
While ancient tales of fierce, 15th-century
warriors may still worry some, visitors to modern
Mongolia most certainly will encounter miners
and businessmen before barbarian tribes on the
steppes of Central Asia.
Far from emulating the sword-swinging terror of
Genghis Khan, Mongolians are known for their
hospitality to strangers, in part because of their
traditional nomadic culture that fosters strong
inter-dependency within and outside the family. Living in an extremely isolated region in
eastern Asia, Mongolians have never had the option of choosing to withdraw from their
neighbors, who through trade relations offered many necessities not readily available in
Mongolia’s sometimes harsh environment. Thus, hospitality in Mongolia has long been a
survival technique, not only a matter of politeness.^263
The past and present are both evident in Mongolia today. Centuries-old traditions thrive
in Mongolia—most readily observable in the many tent-like houses known as gers that
dot the countryside.
264, (^265) However, most Mongolians today also embrace modern
conveniences and are generally open but not slavish to the ways of the outside world.^266
(^263) Michael Koln, “The Culture: The National Psyche,” in Mongolia, 5th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia:
Lonely Planet Publications, 2008), 31.
(^264) Ministry of Tourism, Government of Mongolia, “The Ger,” Asia-Planet.net, 2002, http://www.asia-
planet.net/mongolia/culture.htm
(^265) Bioregions.org, “Traditional Mongolian Ger,” n.d.,
http://www.bioregions.org/pdfs/GerOwnersPamphlet.pdf
(^266) Michael Koln, “The Culture: The National Psyche,” in Mongolia, 5th ed. (Footscray, Victoria, Australia:
Lonely Planet Publications, 2008), 31–32.