This article explores the Mongolian concept of ‘culture’ (soyol) and its transformation in the state socialist and post-socialist eras. The notion of culture and those without it – the soyolgui or ‘uncultured’ – played enormously... more
This article explores the Mongolian concept of ‘culture’ (soyol) and its transformation in the state socialist and post-socialist eras. The notion of culture and those without it – the soyolgui or ‘uncultured’ – played enormously important parts in the construction of the new society of the Mongolian People’s Republic. The history of the twentieth century shows a transformation of this highly normative concept from a category associated with teachings, doctrine, ethics and nurturing to one linked to modernist notions of hygiene, secular education, urbanism and cosmopolitanism. In addition, however, it became a category that included a set of historical styles and works thought of as national ‘cultural heritage’ (soyolyn öv). This was the result of a movement that in the late socialist period led to the critical re-evaluation of earlier Eurocentric uses of the ‘culture’ concept, and that sought new applications of the notion of ‘civilization’ – in particular by popularizing the metaphorical term ‘nomadic civilization’ (nüüdliin soyol irgenshil). I argue that these strands of thought have become central to the new nationalist politics of post-socialist Mongolia and form the basis of what remains by way of political orthodoxy, following the collapse of Soviet ideology.
The paper aims to examine the concept of ‘national’ or ‘folk’ music within the state culture-building process in both the socialist and post-socialist eras in Mongolia. By focusing on process of nationalisation, commercialisation and... more
The paper aims to examine the concept of ‘national’ or ‘folk’ music within the state culture-building process in both the socialist and post-socialist eras in Mongolia. By focusing on process of nationalisation, commercialisation and popularisation, the paper argues that musical culture was and has been politicised in both eras. Furthermore, it argues that musical culture in post-socialist Mongolia can be regarded as the continuation, transformation and, in some cases, the amplification of the state-socialist culture-building process, designed to be ‘national in form and socialist in content’, so as to become nationalist in form and commercial in content
This paper explores the historical and contemporary railroad constructions in Mongolia and socio-cultural transformation due to the infrastructural changes. In order to transport the minerals to markets in and above all outside Mongolia,... more
This paper explores the historical and contemporary railroad constructions in Mongolia and socio-cultural transformation due to the infrastructural changes. In order to transport the minerals to markets in and above all outside Mongolia, especially China and Russia, states and private companies invest in rail and road transport (plans). When the first long distance railway was built as 'a gift from Stalin' between 1947 and 1949, herders who never had seen engine techniques, imagined the railway as a 'metal snake' (tomor) that drilled mountains and crossed rivers. Today many people have high hope of this infrastructural modernization and expect better economic development and quality of life as result of the railway expansion. Until now most of the planned new infrastructures such as "The Steppe Road" exist on paper and in the minds. In this research, we are investigating recently realized railway projects in Selenge province in northern Mongolia. The presentation of this infrastructure focuses on the social encounters of and the cultural impact on involved workers, herder families and the natural landscape (including spirit beings). Which economic, ecological and sociocultural changes go hand in hand with the development of the railway? The investigation, based on fieldwork in the years 2017-2019, includes studies on material and visual culture using primary and secondary sources.
Following the dissolution of socialist collectives and privatization of livestock in Mongolia in 1993, meat prices quickly rose to the point of becoming unaffordable for many consumers. In an effort to moderate prices and dampen extreme... more
Following the dissolution of socialist collectives and privatization of livestock in Mongolia in 1993, meat prices quickly rose to the point of becoming unaffordable for many consumers. In an effort to moderate prices and dampen extreme seasona price fluctuations, the Government of Mongolia introduced a national meat reserves program in 2005, offering price subsidies for consumers and direct funding for participating meat packers. Despite this intervention, however, consumer prices have continued to rise rapidly. In this article, drawing on a survey of urban consumers and meat retailers, we examine the impacts of meat reserves on the meat market in Mongolia and discuss the broader policy implications of the Mongolian case study.
Heavy livestock losses from severe winter conditions (dzud) in Mongolia in recent years have prompted a variety of interventions by government and development agencies, aiming to reduce herders’ vulnerability to severe weather and other... more
Heavy livestock losses from severe winter conditions (dzud) in Mongolia in recent years have prompted a variety of interventions by government and development agencies, aiming to reduce herders’ vulnerability to severe weather and other climate factors. Unfortunately, many of these interventions have not systematically diminished risk to herders. In this paper we identify several strategies deployed by herders for managing dzud risks and impacts through informal mutual aid networks. We contrast these strategies to interventions taken by international donor agencies operating in Mongolia, which have largely focused on the household as an independent socio-economic unit. We conclude that risk mitigation can be improved through recognition of informal mutual aid networks, and through support to mutual aid institutions.
