An American in Mongolia: Part XX

Appendix

(AN AMERICAN IN MONGOLIA) 

Personal Introduction presented at the start of an interview:
My name is Lily, I go to Marlboro College in the Northeastern United States, and I’m an anthropology¹⁶⁸ student studying abroad in Mongolia for the semester.  My focus of study while I’ve been here has been spiritual life in Mongolia, although I’ve also been studying the Mongolian language, history, government, economy, art and culture.  For my final project I am looking at the correlations and differences between shamans practicing in the city and in the countryside.  So I hope that it’s alright if I ask you some questions to better help me understand shamanism in Mongolia.  It’s my homework!
The answers that you give me will hopefully be incorporated into my research, so if you would like for me not you use your name, you can tell me now, or at the end of the interview.
Thank you!

Basic question set:

-The current age of the shaman as well as the time of life when subject became a shaman and their ethnicity (Khalkh, Buriyat, etc.) and shamanic color identification (white, black, or yellow.)
-The home aimag of the shaman, and the shaman’s breadth of knowledge concerning shamanism prior to becoming one. 
-What the shaman’s “sickness” consisted of, if it occurred, and how it manifested, as well as if the shaman had a teacher. If not, how did the shaman discover s/he was a shaman.
-If the shaman had known ancestors who were also shamans, and if not then what the origins of their ongod were.
-That there was an occurrence of ongod partial possession or trance. 
-What the working hours of the shaman are, if they operate on the lunar calendar or using symbolic numbers.
-If the shaman has a day job or alternate source of income.
-If the shaman has experienced any physical, psychological, emotional, and/or spiritual changes since becoming a shaman. If the shaman has had improved luck or health since becoming shaman.
-If the shaman has any memory of their own behavior during shaman-izing (while in trance/partial possession mode.)
-Who produced the shamanic costume and paraphenalia, and if the costume and paraphernalia were created under the direction of ongod or passed down by generation.

-Name, age, where from?

-How long have you been practicing shamanism, and how old were you when you began? Where did you become a shaman?
-How did you become a shaman? Did you have a teacher? Did you have some form of shaman’s sickness? Did your luck/health improve after you became a shaman? Do you have any shamans in your family?
-How did your emotional/psychological/spiritual state change after you became a shaman? Did your physical body change in any way?
-Who are your personal ongods, and where is there home? What is your ethnicity?
-Was your shamanic costume designed under the direction of your ongod, as well as the way that your ger is set up, the instruments of your ritual, the way that the ritual itself is conducted?
-Do you have any personal awareness of your voice, behavior, or thoughts when you go into trance? If not, how do people tell you you’ve changed while you’re in trance?

-What color would you identify as? Black, white, yellow or something else?


Specific Question set:

Technicalities:
Did the subject have a set price-per-scheduled-ritual or a sliding scale based on what a client could afford or no tariff whatsoever; was there a non-arbitrary or spiritual basis for deciding upon working hours, and were they dictated to the subject by her/his ongod (s)? 
Greater contextual consciousness:

Was there an expressed openness to practical shamanic intercultural exchange present; were there any articulated opinions by the subject about other city shamans and their practices; had the subject noticed the attitudes of others change towards the her/him after coming out as a shaman, and what was the subjects’ view on the evolving course of shamanism in Mongolia today?
Did the subject belong to or know of any groups of shamans, and if so, was s/he aware of what their affiliations were based upon; was there a desire for anonymity or notoriety, and would the subject ever consider ritualizing on a large scale on behalf of the public or for (gasp!) tourists?
Responsibility as spiritual leader within community:
Did the subject feel as if they were accountable to their clients, how would the subject define his/her relationship with clients and how many might they estimate to have had since becoming a shaman? In the subjects’ evaluation, was his/her clientele made up primarily of one socio-economic class, and was there a general trend in the expectations the clientele had of the subject? And finally, what did the subject feel was their role within society as a self-identified shaman?

-Do you know anything of the shamans of other cultures? What do you think about them? Might you ever incorporate the practices of a foreign shaman into your ritual?

-Do you have a schedule of practice, i.e. working hours? How did you decide on them? By the lunar calendar, (zar, tinger) or under the direction of your ongod? Do you rely upon shamanizing as your primary source of income?

-Do you have a set rate that you charge (tariff) those who seek your help? Why or why not?

-Do you know approximately how many people you have shamanized on behalf of?

-Do you know how many other shamans live in your area? What do you think of their practices?

-What have you heard about shamans practicing in the countryside/city?
-Do you have any aspirations to move into the countryside/city? Why/why not?
-How would you define your relationship with your clients? What kind of people seek your help (would you say?) Where do they come from? What do they hope to gain/lose by visiting you?
-Would you ever consider performing a shamanic ritual for tourists or for the public? How would that make you feel?
-Would you prefer to be well known in your community or maintain some kind of anonymity? Why?

-How did people react when you first became a shaman in this area? Have their attitudes towards you changed? How so?
-When you first began practicing here, were people familiar with shamanism? Were there any other shamans here?
-Would you consider yourself a leader of your community? Why/why not?
-What do you feel is your responsibility to your clients, and what is their responsibility to you?

-How do you think shamanism in Mongolia has changed (along with public perceptions of it) since you became a shaman? Since the Soviet era?

Shamanism survey: шашиний судалгаа 

I’m an anthropology student studying abroad in Mongolia for the semester doing a comparative study of urban and rural shamanism.  I would greatly appreciate if you took the time to answer the questions below, as they would help my research. Thanks very much!

Би Монголд  нэг семестрийн хугацаатай сурч байгаа антроплоги судлалын оюутан  одоогоор хот болон талаар харьцуулсан  судалгаа хийж байгаа юм. Цаг гарган миний судалгааны асуултанд хариулж  байгаад тань туйлаас талархаж байна.

Would you describe yourself as a religious person? Та рийг гэж боддог уу?

If so, which religion do you subscribe to? Хэрэв тийм бол ямар шашинтай вэ? 

What are your views on shamanism in Mongolia today (briefly)? нгийн Монголын шашины талаарх таны бодол юу вэ? (товч)

Would you ever consider visiting a shaman for help? Why/why not? Та бдээр тусламж авахаар очиж байсан уу? Яагаадочсон?/Яагаад ? 

Do you know any shamans? If so, do they live in the city or the countryside? Та хэн нэгэн мэдэх ? Хэрэв тийм бол тэр хотод амьдардаг уу  амьдардаг уу?

What do you think about the practices of shamans in Ulaanbaatar? Улаанбаатарт байдаг бнарын талаар та гэж боддог вэ?

Баярлалаа.

Results of shamanism survey for laypeople at the artists union 6-4-08:
People identifying as religious: 7/10, 1/10 said “a little bit”, another said “maybe”, one said no.
Religious affiliation: 5/10 Buddhist, 1/10 Buddhist/Shamanist, 2/10 Shamanist, 2/10 “No” or “Don’t worship no religion.”
Sampling of Views on Shamanism in Mongolia today: “My ancient ancestors spirits stayed”, “National Religion”, “It is our most ancient religion, worshipping nature; sky, earth, fire, water is the most correct thing”, “Ancient tradition, perhaps origin of Buddhism”, “Restarting again”, “Don’t know”, “Too bad”, “Mongolian’s original religion”, “Very good”, “I think it’s normal for me.”
Consider visiting a shaman for help: “Yes, because I needed help”, “Yes I visit because I’m Mongolian”, “My family has own ongots”, “I don’t know any shamans”, “Myself shaman”, 2/10 “No”, “Yes”, “No, don’t know well”, “No never.”
Know any shamans, and where: 3/10 “No”, “2”, 2/10 “Lives in UB”, 2/10 “Don’t know”, 2/10 “Both city & countryside.”
Perceptions of shamans in UB: “I don’t care where they live if they can communicate with ongods”, “I don’t think much about them”, “It seems most shamans moved to UB, I hear many people talking about shamanism”, 2/10 “Don’t know”, “Just shamans”, “Bad”, “Many fake shamans”, “Depends, they are different.  Some of them really good.  But others only interested in making money.  That’s what I think.”

The rules of Chanar for non-shamans, Bayan Uul 2008:

1. Don’t go into the fire circle, or you’ll anger the spirits.
2. Don’t spit near the fire, or eternal fire will be dirtied.
3. Don’t fight.
4. Don’t walk around the fire.
5. When making offering to the fire, take three steps backwards immediately afterwards.
6. No garbage near or in the fire.
7. Don’t swear near the fire.
8. Don’t pollute the environment.
9. Near/in the prayer circle (sky’s blue temple/altar) obey Mongolian customs, that is, keep your hands in your lap while sitting, at your sides while standing, out of your pockets, don’t cross your legs, take off your hat, etc.  It will also offend the spirits if you drink vodka, or smoke in this area.
10. Be careful not to set things on fire. 
11. Follow the rules.
12. Don’t poke or point with your fingers towards the fire, you’ll call the demons.
13. Don’t burn anything with a bad smell near the fire (plastic, skin, hair, etc.)
14. If you’re on your period, leave or you will dirty the fire.
15. Don’t point or show the fire tongs at the heavens.
16. When making offerings to the fire, you must add argal (dung) by hand, vodka by cup, and butter by ladle. 
17. Don’t sit with your legs open.  Sky will be upset.
18. Don’t warm hands by ceremonial fire, or your life will be cold.
19. Don’t chop wood near the fire.  Or the fire will be decapitated.
20. If you recently gave birth, leave.
21. Don’t show the bottoms of your feet to the fire.
22. If you’re pregnant, don’t make offering, or your baby will be miscarried.
23. Don’t offer milk to the fire, or you will go blind.
24. Don’t offer water to the fire.

 

Bibliography

(AN AMERICAN IN MONGOLIA)

Books:

Abram, David. The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World.  New York: Vintage, 1997.

Altangeral, D., trans. Mongolian Folktales (In English and Mongolian). Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Haan  Printing Company Limited, 2003.

          Dikov, Nikolai N. Early Cultures of Northeastern Asia. Moscow, Russia: Nauka.

Dulam, Bumochir. Mongol Shamanic Ritual. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Mokhiin Useg Company Limited, 2002.

Eliade, Mircea. Shamanism: Archaic Techniques of Ecstasy. Trans. Williard R. Trask. New York, New York: Arkana, Penguin Group, 1989.

Empson, Rebecca, ed. Time, Causality and Prophesy in the Mongolian Culture Region: Visions of the Future. Kent, Great Britain: Global Oriental Limited, 2006.

         Otgony, Purev. Mongolian Shamanism.Trans. Gurbadaryn, Purvee. мӨнхийн Yсэг ххк, Ulaanbaatar,  Mongolia.  2007.

Walter, Mariko N., and Eva J. Neumann Fridman, eds. Shamanism: An Encyclopedia of World Beliefs.

Journal/Magazine Articles:

Batmonkh, Sh. "Businessmen will sue government in court." UB Post 21 Feb. 2008. 10 Jan.    2008 <http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14 08&Itemid=36>.


Batmonkh, Sh. "Market Children in Mongolia." UB Post 6 May 2008. 5 Jan. 2009  <http://ubpost.mongolnews.mn/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1738&Itemid=3 6>.


Carlyle May, L. "A Survey of Glossolalia and Related Phenomena in Non-Christian Religions."  American Anthropologist New 58 (1956): 83.


Humphrey, Caroline. "Shamans in the City." Anthropology Today 15 (1999).


Shimamura, Ippei. "More than One Homeland?: Diasporic Imaginations of the Aga-Buryats." Minpaku  Anthropology Newsletter (2004).


Wingfield-Hayes, Rupert. "Mongolia's Drinking Epidemic." BBC News Asia-Pacific 25 Sept. 2003.  BBC News. 12 Jan. 2009 <http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3138806.stm>.


"What is a Twinkie." Yahoo! GeoCities 04 May 2009 <http://www.geocities.com/planettwinkie/WhatIs.html>.

Lectures:

Bumochir, Dulam. "Shamanism in Mongolia." School of International Training at the University of the   Humanities premises, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Mar. 2008.


Mend-Oyo, T. "Morin Khuur, not just a music instrument." School of International Training at the  University of the Humanities premises, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 21 Apr. 2008.

Patrick, Father. "Catholicism in Modern Mongolia." Catholic Compound, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Mar.  2008.

Sandagjey, E. "Khomii: Mongolian Traditional Throat Singing." School of International Training at the  University of the Humanities premises, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 23 Apr. 2008.

Uranchimed, Ts. "Ancient and Contemporary Art in Mongolia." School of International Training  premises at the University of the Humanities, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. 29 Apr. 2008.

Interviews conducted by the author:
Alexander. 2008. Formal conversation with author.
      Bayan Uul, Dornod; Mongolia.  May, 25.
Bayermaa. 2008. Interview by author.
      Bayan Uul, Dornod; Mongolia.  May, 20.  
Chantal. 2008. Interview by author at the Mahayana Center NGO
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.  April, 25.
Deggie. 2008. Interview with author.
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. June, 2.
Erdentorch. 2008. Interview by author.
      Onderkhan, Khentii; Mongolia. May, 18.
Ganbold. 2008. Interview with author.
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. May, 31.
Tsetseg. 2008. Interview by author.
      Onderkhan, Khentii; Mongolia. May, 17.
Zaya. 2008. Interview with author.
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. May, 29.
Zorigtbaatar. 2008. Interview by author.
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. May, 13.
Zorigtbaatar.  Ritual observations by author.
      Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. May, 29.

SKY DOOR OPEN.....

P.S. there are literally over 70 long and informative footnotes missing from this blog if it feels like there are holes, my apologies, there's only so much copying & pasting a person can do before they feel like they're gonna kill themselves.