TRANSITIONING
TRADITIONS
TRANSFORMING MONGOLIAN CULTURE
FROM NOMADIC TO SETTLED
By Munkhzaya Mendbayar, CEO of “Ulaanbaatar Buyan” LLC
and “New Cemetery” LLC, Mongolia
ongolia is a land steeped in nomadic
traditions, where the vast steppe served
as a playground for the nomadic way of life
for centuries. Yet, with changing times and the
allure of settled living, Mongolia embarked on
a significant transformation from a nomadic
culture to a more stable, settled way of life. This
transition brought with it numerous challenges
and lessons learned from past errors. The
Mongolian government initiated a project to
guide this cultural shift while preserving the
essence of their traditions, ultimately resulting
in the problematic integration of nomadic
heritage with a settled culture and confusion
and
misinformed
funeral
traditions.
This
whole project was to correct its wrongdoing
and correction of proper education on funeral
culture. The project to move remains in an old
cemetery began with a plan from 2013, approved
by the Mongolian Parliament. Then, in 2021,
new decisions were made to create a “Memorial
Park.” This park would be a place to remember
the deceased and be built in a 10-hectare area of
the Sambalhundev cemetery.
This ambitious project unfolded in
three distinct stages:
Relocating and Cremating 14,323 Remains in
10 hectares of land
The first stage of this transformative project
was to address the delicate issue of the burial
grounds. A staggering 14,323 remains were
relocated and cremated, taking into account the
respect due to the departed and their families.
This phase was crucial in clearing the way for the
upcoming transformation. The challenge was
locating and contacting families.
Creating the Memorial Park
In the second stage, the ashes of the cremated
remains were thoughtfully placed in a Memorial
Park, which occupies 20% of the cleared land.
This park would serve as a serene and dignified
place for Mongolians to pay their respects to
their ancestors and loved ones. Creating such
a space was a powerful gesture in maintaining
the connection between the people and their
heritage.
Establishing a Unified Funeral Information
Service Center
The final stage of the project involved the
establishment of a Funeral Information Service
Center. This center became the epicenter of
information and services related to funeral
planning, thus guiding the community through
the process. It offered a harmonious blend of
traditional practices and modern conveniences.
The tangible results of this
comprehensive project have been
nothing short of remarkable:
Gratitude of Citizens and Families
Creating the Memorial Park and the Funeral
Information Service Center elicited immense
gratitude from citizens and families. The comfort
and beauty of these facilities have provided
solace to countless individuals, allowing them
to remember their loved ones in a peaceful and
dignified environment.
Balance through Collaboration
The project brought together various sectors
of society, including the government, religious
institutions,
civil
society
organizations,
the
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No. 105 – SPRING 2024 | THANOS MAGAZINE
CASE STUDY