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With a total population of 4.8 million,
the Mongolians live mainly in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Some are distributed in Xinjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang,
Gansu and Qinghai. There are also some scattered in Sichuan, Ningxia,
Yunnan and Beijing.
Reputed as "pearl in the grassland", the Mongolians have
kept their nomadic living style for hundreds of years. "Mongolian"
originally was the name of one of the Mongolian tribes. At the beginning
of the 13th century, a Mongolian tribe headed by Genghis Khan unified
all the other Mongolian tribes, giving birth to a new nationality
- Mongolian ethnic group.
Most Mongolians believe in Lamaism and they have their own language
and alphabet.
Living in grassland, the Mongolians rely on raising stock as their
economic support. Kumiss, roasted mutton, and shoubarou are their
favorite food and drink. They live in Mongolian tents which are
characterized by their facility and portability. Being round, the
larger size can hold over 20 people and the smaller over 10 people.
The Mongolians are fond of robes. The men's are very wide and
outfitted with a girdle while women's are slender. The Mongolian
women normally wear beautiful headbands and elegant ornaments. Boots,
made of cloth and cowhide with good protection, are essential to
Mongolians. A red or green waistband, flint steel, snuffbox, and
knife in an ornate sheath for cutting meat are accessories common
to all men and women.
The Mongolians are a nationality on horseback. Their ancestors
once conquered a vast region and founded a strong kingdom on the
horseback. Throughout their entire history, horses have played an
important role in their daily lives. Horse racing is a prevalent
sport among Mongolians. Every Mongolian loves to prove his worth
by demonstrating skills in horsemanship and archery, as well as
wrestling.
In the grassland, the ceremonious Nadam Festival is held each August
by Mongolians to celebrate their good harvest. Contests such as
archery on horseback, wrestling, horse racing and other traditional
activities are held. The festival lasts 5 to 7 days. Contest winners
are regarded as heroes by the Mongolians.
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