Story of Tradition: Mongolia

                                         
Many people I am sure will suppose that to be a Traditionalist, one must be entirely against technology (and that a traditionalist blogger like myself must be a demented hypocrite). The Truth is however that to be a Traditionalist one need not reject technology but try to use it Traditionally.

Mongolia is a fine example of true Traditionalism. The Majority of the People of Mongolia live the way there ancestors did as Nomadic herdsmen. Over the last few decades however they have incorporated technology into their Traditional lives making them more efficient.

Traditionalism does not mean our lives must be stagnant, rather Tradition should be our guide as to how we use technology and modern advances. It is helpful to think of Tradition as a tree. A tree is always growing as tradition always grows. To cut down the tree or to stop it from growing both harm the tree. The same is with Tradition, to completely reject it as progressives do or to reject all progress are both nontraditional.

The People of Mongolia are living Traditional lives while using technology to improve themselves. The government of Mongolia has helped Nomad families to obtain access to the internet and television. This has helped the herdsmen to keep track of meat prices and has enabled them to get better prices when selling their meat. It has also helped education and literacy. The Nomads have also added gas powered vehicles such as motor cycles and trucks to help care for their herds better.

Though life has become a little more modern for these nomads, there traditions are still secure. The Family is still the basis of their society usually having three generations living together. They continue to support themselves by herding sheep, camels and horses. Evening are spent together and it is common for the grandfather to tell the children stories that have been passed down for countless generations. Though western clothing is becoming more common, many nomads continue to preserve their traditional dress. Traditional music is also much more common than the modern music popular in Mongolia's only metropolis, Ulaanbaatar.

Traditional eagle hunting is a common feature of Mongolian life and horsemanship is a common skill. There are many Festivals also in Mongolia where the Nomads compete in sports that celebrate their Traditional lifestyles.

Religion is still strong in Mongolia with the majority of Mongolians practicing Tibetan Buddhism. Surprisingly even in an unlikely place like Mongolia, the Catholic Church is present and has some one thousand adherents.

Though Tradition in Mongolia remains a strong force, there are still problems there with Progressivism. Many families have moved to the capital Ulaanbaatar and given up their nomadic lifestyles. This is mostly due to the Republican government that is trying to westernize the country. The risk of Mongolia loosing all traces of Traditional life however is quite low as the country has seen many regimes and were the west to ever stop being interested in Mongolia the modernization and westernizing of Mongolia would quickly cease.

Mongolia is a great example for Traditionalists that to have technology does not mean one can not be a Traditionalist. For Westerners what is needed is more Tradition in our lives and less technology. Living more traditionally could be keeping chickens or hunting or gardening; one could also be more traditional in one's recreation like reading, singing folk songs or telling stories. The important thing is to do what we can to reverse the modern mindset by thinking traditionally. We do not have to rid ourselves of modern conveniences but do what we can to counter the revolution that has become the establishment.