THE SECRET OF THE STEPPES

Elbie Gimble

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Mongolia - The Secret of the Steppes

(Entries in alphabetical order)

steppes-altan

Altan: A Mongolian name meaning "Golden." (SEE Golden Eagle)

steppes-amgalan

Amgalan: A Mongolian name meaning "Calm" or "Peaceful."

Anthropologist: A scientist who studies Anthropology, which is the study of humanity, including human behavior, biology, cultures, societies, and languages, both past and present.

steppes-anthro

Airag: A traditional Mongolian alcoholic beverage made from fermented mare's milk. It has a slightly sour, fizzy taste and a low alcohol content. It is a culturally significant drink, often offered to guests as a sign of hospitality.

steppes-airag

Birkitshi: A term for a traditional eagle hunter or falconer who trains and hunts with golden eagles. This ancient practice originated in Central Asia and is now most strongly associated with the Kazakh people. Birkitshi typically capture young female eagles and train them for several years, forming a deep bond. After 10-15 years, the eagles are often released back into the wild.

steppes-birkitshi

Boortsog: A type of fried pastry or biscuit common in Central Asian and Mongolian cuisines. It is made from a simple dough that is deep-fried. Boortsog

steppes-boortsog

can be lightly sweet or savory, with a crispy outside and a soft inside. It is often served with tea or airag.

Chinggis Khaan: An alternative and more historically accurate spelling and pronunciation of Genghis Khan. "Chinggis" means "oceanic" or "universal," and "Khaan" is a title meaning "ruler" or "sovereign."

steppes-chinggis

Columbia University: A private Ivy League research university located in New York City. Founded in 1754, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States.

steppes-columbia

Deel: A traditional Mongolian and Central Asian garment. It is a long, loose coat with a high collar, worn by nomadic peoples. The color of a deel could historically signify the wearer's social status, age, or region.

Dzeren: A species of gazelle native to the steppes of Mongolia and surrounding areas. Dzeren are known for forming extremely large migratory herds, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands. They are a significant prey animal for predators like wolves and eagles.

Genghis Khan: Named Temüjin at birth, Genghis was the founder and first Great Khan (Emperor) of the Mongol Empire. He unified many nomadic tribes of Northeast Asia and lived from around 1162 to 1227 C.E. The Mongol Empire became the largest contiguous empire in history.

steppes-deel

steppes-dzeren

steppes-khan

Golden Eagle: Latin name, Aquila Chrysaetos. A large bird of prey found across the Northern Hemisphere. Known for its hunting prowess, the golden eagle is one of the most widely distributed eagle species. Females are larger than males, with a wingspan ranging from 6 to 7.5 feet. They possess exceptional eyesight, estimated to be 4 to 8 times better than a human's, which allows them to spot prey from miles away.

steppes-eagle

Harold A. Lamb: (1892-1962) Harold Albert Lamb was an American historian, novelist, short story writer, and screenwriter. He is known for his historical biographies and adventure fiction, particularly focusing on figures from Asian and Middle Eastern history. He attended Columbia University and was a prolific writer for Adventure magazine. His notable works include Genghis Khan: Emperor of All Men (1927) and a collection of stories called Wolf of the Steppes, which features a hero who tracks down the tomb of Genghis Khan.

steppes-lamb

Mongolian Steppes: The vast temperate grasslands that cover much of Mongolia. Characterized by a semi-arid climate and wide-open spaces, the steppes are home to diverse wildlife and nomadic cultures.

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Mutton Stew: A hearty dish made by simmering pieces of mutton (meat from a mature sheep) with vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions. The flavor is rich and savory, and the meat becomes very tender. It is a comforting meal well-suited for cold climates.

steppes-stew

National Geographic Magazine: A widely recognized scientific and educational magazine first published in 1888. It is known for its articles on geography, archaeology, natural history, culture, and science.

steppes-natgeo

Peking, China: (SEE Map) The former name of Beijing, the capital city of the People's Republic of China (present day). The name was commonly used in Western languages before 1949. During Genghis Khan's rule, the city was known as Zhongdu, and later as Dadu or Cambaluc.

steppes-peking

Plains Wolf: A term for the grey wolf subspecies found in open, grassland environments, such as the Eurasian steppes. Plains wolves are highly social carnivores that hunt in packs. They play a crucial role in maintaining their ecosystem by regulating prey populations like dzeren.

Tsuivan: A traditional Mongolian noodle dish. It typically features thick, fried noodles mixed with meat (often lamb or beef) and vegetables such as carrots, onions, and cabbage. The dish is known for its hearty, savory, and robust flavor.

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steppes-tsuivan

Ulaanbaatar: (SEE Map) The capital and largest city of Mongolia. It was known as Urga by Westerners until 1924, when it was officially renamed Ulaanbaatar (which means, "Red Hero"). Today, it is a rapidly developing city with a population of over 1.6 million, serving as the country's economic, political, and cultural hub.

steppes-ulaan

Map of Asia during height of Genghis Khan's rule.

steppes-map

Painting of Temujin becoming Genghis Khan.

steppes-pics

Portrait painting of Genghis Khan.

Statue of Khan near the present-day capital of Ulaanbaatar.

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The information included in this work has been researched and verified to the best of my abilities and may possibly contain errors. It is purley my intent to interest young people and others in the subject matter, historical events, and scientific breakthroughs that these stories contain. Traditional internet searches as well as help from various AI sources have been used in my attempt to maintain accuracy. If any of this information is erroneous or incorrect, I sincerely apologize. If you see any corrections that should be made, please contact us via the chat feature of this site.

Photo credits: 1&2: journalofantiques.com, 3: SiefkinDR

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