Research Project

“The Study of the Cultural Values of Mongolian and Inner Asian Nomads” research project is being successfully conducted. Academic Researcher S. Mijid successfully finished his research in Sukhbaatar Province.

Regional Study has successfully conducted

“The Study of the Cultural Values of Mongolian and Inner Asian Nomads” research project is being successfully conducted. Program Coordinator G. Zulbaatar had successfully finished his research in Khuvsgul Province. This week our researchers are heading to Kazakhstan and China to conduct the regional study.

Study in the Kyrgyz Republic

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.

New published book!

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:

https://www.kalmykheritage.socanth.cam.ac.uk/…/kalmyksi….

New perspectives on Buryat-Mongolian identity through a gender lens

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

www.unesco-iisnc.org

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.

Visit of Yeldos Sauyrkan

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.

ISNC’s regional research in the Republic of Türkiye

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 has successfully completed!

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!

Book donation

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!