Khalkha Mongol in Mongolia
Khalkha Mongol in Mongolia
Khalkha Mongol in Mongolia
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The <strong>Khalkha</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong>ia<br />
Country<br />
The State of <strong>Mongol</strong>ia, once known as Outer <strong>Mongol</strong>ia,<br />
consists of grassland, forest, three major mounta<strong>in</strong> ranges<br />
and the great Gobi Desert. <strong>Mongol</strong>ia was dependent on the<br />
USSR for 70 years.<br />
Thus, the Soviet Union's collapse crippled the <strong>Mongol</strong>ian<br />
economy with massive shortages, <strong>in</strong>flation and ris<strong>in</strong>g unemployment.<br />
After <strong>in</strong>dependence from Manchu and Ch<strong>in</strong>ese<br />
dom<strong>in</strong>ation <strong>in</strong> 1911, a Soviet-supported revolution <strong>in</strong><br />
1921 <strong>in</strong>stalled a repressive communist government. Although communism was renounced and a multiparty<br />
democracy <strong>in</strong>stituted <strong>in</strong> 1992, the reformed Communist party was victorious <strong>in</strong> the elections. With<br />
guaranteed freedom of religion, the <strong>Mongol</strong>ian church is a reality for the first time <strong>in</strong> modern history.<br />
However, most prov<strong>in</strong>ces have no <strong>in</strong>digenous Christian presence and foreign missionaries are not officially<br />
permitted.<br />
Their Lives<br />
Although most <strong>Mongol</strong>s<br />
now live <strong>in</strong> cities,<br />
there rema<strong>in</strong>s a large<br />
population of <strong>Khalkha</strong><br />
<strong>Mongol</strong> nomads. They<br />
live <strong>in</strong> herd<strong>in</strong>g camps<br />
and migrate seasonally<br />
with their animals.<br />
Their hous<strong>in</strong>g takes the form of portable gers or yurts, which are<br />
round felt tents that have brightly pa<strong>in</strong>ted wooden doors.<br />
Beliefs<br />
Traditionally, the Khalka <strong>Mongol</strong>s believed<br />
<strong>in</strong> shamanism (an unseen world of<br />
gods, demons and spirits). Though many<br />
converted to Tibetan Buddhism upon its<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduction, about 75% fell away to<br />
atheism under Marxist rule s<strong>in</strong>ce the<br />
1930’s. Today a comb<strong>in</strong>ation of shamanism<br />
and Buddhism survive.<br />
Needs<br />
Rape, murder, alcoholism,<br />
and violence are<br />
major problems <strong>in</strong> <strong>Mongol</strong>ia's<br />
urban areas today.<br />
Many young people are<br />
also <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> crim<strong>in</strong>al<br />
gangs. The <strong>Khalkha</strong><br />
<strong>Mongol</strong> need to f<strong>in</strong>d<br />
true peace—peace that<br />
can only come through<br />
know<strong>in</strong>g Jesus Christ.<br />
Map Courtesy: CIA World Factbook<br />
Prayer Portraits are published by FirstBible International with <strong>in</strong>formation provided <strong>in</strong> part by<br />
Bethany World Prayer Center, JoshuaProject.net, Ethnologue.com. Bibles International and Peoplegroups.org.<br />
There is no copyright on this Prayer Portrait except on the FirstBible<br />
International Logo where permission has not been expressly granted.
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