The 30-day regional study recently concluded in the Kyrgyz Republic marks a significant breakthrough in our ongoing academic research. We extend our sincere gratitude to all individuals and institutions that supported and cooperated with our researchers throughout this period. As we conclude our research in the Kyrgyz Republic, we eagerly anticipate the continuation of our regional studies in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China.
Uradyn E. Bulag, a distinguished professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, recently visited our institute and presented his newly published book! This research stems from the comprehensive Kalmyk Cultural Heritage Documentation Project (KCHDP), which was hosted at the Mongolian and Inner Asian Studies Unit (MIASU) between 2014 and 2019. This academic endeavor represents a significant contribution to our understanding of Kalmyk’s cultural heritage in Russia and China. For those interested in delving deeper into this research, a wealth of resources, including videos and interviews, is readily accessible through the following website:
Join us for a compelling lecture titled “New Perspectives on Buryat-Mongolian Identity Through a Gender Lens” presented by Esuna Dugarova. She serves as a policy advisor at the UN in New York and is also a visiting professor at Columbia University.
Where: Central Cultural Palace, 7th floor, 701
When: 15:00, September 8, 2023
Contact us: 11-315100, 80208248
Title: New perspectives on Buryat-Mongolian identity through a gender lens
Abstract
The talk will examine the reconstruction of Buryat-Mongolian identity through a gender lens amid geopolitical and socioeconomic shifts. The annexation of the Buryat-Mongolian land by the Russian Empire in the 17th century led to dramatic changes in the native population. The Soviet regime further eroded the identity and cultural values of Buryat-Mongols by eliminating the traditional Mongolian writing system, interfering in the local economy and social structure, and prohibiting Buddhist learning and religious practices. Amid these shifts, women’s agency has emerged as a de facto underlying force that helps sustain collective identity in the 21st century. This is seen in the (re)creation of matrilineal genealogy, feminization of lay Buddhism, reconfigurations in work and care arrangements, and women’s leadership in preserving Buryat-Mongolian language and cultural heritage. This agency, however, has been conditioned by paternalistic institutions, growing authoritarianism, and rising neoliberal ideology in the broader context of globalizing Western modernity. Nonetheless, women have ensured the vitality of the Buryat-Mongolian transnational community, which has entailed a dynamic interplay between accommodating patriarchy, resisting Eurocentric hegemony, and transcending the status quo of unequal power relations.
Yeldos Sauyrkan, a researcher at the Department of Ancient and Medieval History of Kazakhstan and neighboring states, Institute of History and Ethnology named after Ch.Ch.Valikhanov of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan visited the Secretariat of IISNC. During the meeting, the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutes was formalized. Due to the discussions regarding the progressing advancement of bilateral cooperation, both parties reached a mutual agreement to implement a collaborative research project.
IISNC’s regional research on creative cultural industry and common values in Central&Inner Asian countries is being continued in the Republic of Türkiye. Researchers of the institute have conducted fieldworks in 8 provinces of Mongolia and 3 cities of the Kyrgyz Republic by August 2023. At this time, our young researcher Munkhochir is working in Ankara, Konya, Sakarya and İstanbul cities of Türkiye.
Our researcher who is conducting the research project “Cultural Brand in Central Asia”, also participated in summer school at OSCE Academy, including modules on Research Methods in Social Sciences. She has successfully completed her summer school!
The Ulaanbaatar city Public Library City named after D. Natsagdorj has donated the following books to IISNC under the auspices of UNESCO. Thank you to the library for donating books!
The “Nomads” world culture festival was organized in accordance with more than 30 programs within the framework of 362 intangible cultural heritage elements in 7 distinct regions, with the participation of representatives of more than 10 countries with nomadic civilizations, expressing, preserving, and disseminating cultural diversity and intangible cultural heritage. As part of the institute’s function to research and promote the knowledge and cultural heritages of nomads, G. Zulbaatar, Research and Program Coordinator of IISNC, presented a speech on the topic of “Healing Through Cultures: Dom Healing and Medicinal Practices of the Mongols” at the House of Traditional Knowledge” of the festival.
The “Nomads” world culture festival was organized by the Ministry of Culture and the Culture & Arts Authority, Implementing Agency of the Government of Mongolia on August 18-20, 2023 at the natural scenic of “Taij Khairkhan valley” in Nalaikh District of Ulaanbaatar.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage within the framework of the festival, the international consultative meeting “Shaping the Future of Living Heritage: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the 2003 Convention and Prospects for Collaborative Engagement” was held on August 19, 2023 by relevant organizations. In the consultation meeting, the Category 2 Institutes and Centres under the auspices of UNESCO in Asia-Pacific Region, the International Information and Network Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICHCAP) based in South Korea, the International Research Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage (IRCI) based in Japan, and the The International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS) based in Uzbekistan State Institute, the International Training Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage (CRIHAP) based in China, the International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations (IISNC) based in Mongolia, and other organizations participated and discussed the prospects of cooperation on cultural heritage.
Researcher B.Tugsbuyan, who is conducting research in Bishkek, met Kamil Mamadaliyev, the renowned Manas narrative from Talas, Kyrgyzstan. Kamil Mamadaliyev participated in our international academic conference on “Nomadic Ethics and Intercultural Dialogue.” According to him, the “Manas” epic is not only about the Kyrgyz hero but also encompasses numerous heroes from around the world. Therefore, we have the opportunity to explore this research from various perspectives and in connection with multiple cultures without being confined to a specific research topic.
