Mongol, Khalka in Türkiye (Turkey)

Introduction / History

The Khalka are the largest group of Mongols in Mongolia. In fact, they are the core of all the Mongol peoples across North Asia. The Khalka Mongols consider themselves the direct descendants of Genghis Khan, and therefore, the true preservers of Mongol culture.In the thirteenth century, Genghis Khan formed one of the greatest empires in world history by uniting all of the nomadic Mongol tribes. During the centuries that followed, the once mighty Mongol empire was squeezed between the growing Russian and Chinese empires. In the early 1920s, Mongolia became a Marxist state until its quiet democratic revolution in 1990.The Khalka Mongols consider their language, Halh, to be the "real" Mongolian language, since all other Mongols speak variations or dialects of Halh. Halh is understood throughout Mongolia and by Mongols living in Central Asia. Though most still live in Mongolia, they now live in 14 countries, including Turkey. Mongolia and Turkey have had good relations for many years, so Turkey has allowed some of them to live in their country.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Many Khalka Mongols in Turkey are college students.Khalka Mongols traditionally married while they were very young. The girls were usually 13 or 14, and the boys were only a few years older. Today, couples typically marry while they are in their early to mid-twenties; then they immediately begin having children. Urban Khalka Mongols, especially those with a college education, tend to delay marriage until they reach their late twenties.Khalka Mongols love music, folk dances, chess, and sporting events. Every July, they celebrate the ancient Naadam festival. Sporting events are held in horse racing, archery, and wrestling.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Khalka Mongols were traditionally Shamanists (belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and spirits). The people depended on shamans (medicine men) to cure the sick by magic, communicate with the gods, and control events.In the late 1500s, the Mongols were introduced to Tibetan Buddhism, and most Mongols converted to Buddhism at that time. By 1900, more than half of Mongolia's males were serving as priests in Buddhist monasteries. However, as a result of an anti-religious movement launched by the Marxist government in the 1930s, about three-quarters of the Khalka Mongols became either non-religious or atheists.Today, a number of Khalka Mongols have returned to the beliefs of their forefathers. Shamans are once again called upon to cure the sick or alleviate evil spirits through divination, oracles, and astrology. A combination of Buddhism and Shamanism has survived, especially among the elderly. Obos, heaps of stones thought to be inhabited by local spirits, can still be seen on almost every hilltop.

What Are Their Needs?

Khalka Mongols in Turkey need to adjust to a very different culture. Their nomadic background offers little help in finding work for Turkey’s urban economy.

Prayer Points

Pray that Khalka Mongol men would rise up to become strong in the Lord.Ask God to set the Khalka Mongols free to worship the Lord and discard spiritual traps.Pray that alcoholism, violence, and divorce will be wiped out among the Khalka Mongols in Turkey.

Text Source:   Joshua Project