Mongolia by Alan Sanders

Author:Alan Sanders [Sanders, Alan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-85733-718-1
Publisher: Kuperard
Published: 2016-02-01T16:00:00+00:00

FROM BLOOD BROTHERS TO COMRADES

In Mongol and other nomadic societies patrilineal lineages were exogamous and kinship decided that only kin were allies. However, some flexibility was provided by blood brotherhood (anda). The associated ceremony or ritual (andlakh yos) involved the “blood brothers” (and naiz, sworn friends) drinking from a cup containing their mixed blood and pledging brotherly love and respect for one another. They would exchange gifts and might live for a while in the same ger. Blood brotherhood was an important way of forming alliances. Another was by becoming “marriage allies” (quda), that is, two men whose children had married each other. The tie was sometimes reciprocal, a father receiving a bride for his son then giving a bride for his ally’s son. Genghis Khan was both an anda and a quda.

Friendship in present-day Mongolia distinguishes between acquaintances (tanil), and buddies or mates (tünsh), originally a business partner. The usual word is naiz or good friend, sometimes naiz nökhör; boyfriend is eregtei naiz, girlfriend emegtei naiz. The word nökhör in Genghis Khan’s times meant “companion,” used for the personal servants and bodyguards of the rulers. They were not only stewards, grooms, and quiver bearers, but also guard and troop commanders whose loyalty was paramount. In the modern era nökhör has come to mean “colleague,” “comrade” in the political sense, and “husband.”

Mongol friendships are formed among kin and, outside the family, at school or university. School reunions are important events, with reports and photographs in the media. Children make new friends at summer camps (zuslan).

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