Transformation of Mongolia’s Traditional Nomadic Society: The Modernization Trend Analyzed

Introduction. Transformation of a nomadic society is a multifaceted process. The social organization and inner structure of Mongolia’s nomadic society have undergone cardinal changes of the 20th century — only to experience various impulses of further development. Goals. The article aims to reveal the inner substantial side inherent to the transformation process within contemporary Mongolia’s nomadic society. The paper considers the social system of nomads as a self-organizing one that adapts to new market conditions and commodity-money relations to regenerate the institutions of traditional society, strengthen new social orders, and create advanced forms of social alliances and interactions. Materials. The work analyzes literary and field materials for insights into the phenomena of transformation in economic, social and cultural spheres of Mongolia’s nomads. Results. The study shows nomadic households are being gradually involved into market relations to be incorporated in the general division of labor system; defines functions of a contemporary nomadic community, such as protection of pastures in use, sharing of water and other natural resources, etc. Conclusions. The study delineates key characteristics inherent to the observed transformation of nomadic society, namely: commodification and individualization of nomadic livestock breeding and, as a consequence, rationalization of economic behavior, preservation of a mobile (migratory) lifestyle to be accompanied by fixation of nomadic boundaries and distinct localization of seasonal camps, replacement of traditional values by market ones. It is emphasized that kinship ties are being gradually replaced by territorial ones when it comes to identify borders of present-day nomadic social groups. The emergence of a territorial community attests to the overcoming of conservative features typical of nomadic society once largely based on family ties, tribal background, etc. 

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