Városlakó nomádok 2.0

Abstract

Due to the rapid transformation of Mongolian social and economic systemin the last two and a half decades, the mentality and way of life of Mongolian people have also changed to a great degree, and a special national or nomadic ideology has appeared and gradually strengthened. It has become oneof the pillars of national identity. This ideology is shared in many respectsby Mongolians. In the present economic environment Mongolian society ischanging at an accelerated speed. The urban population is getting far fromthe nomadic way of life and has started to follow behavioural models thatare very different from the traditional patterns. With the regression of nomadism, one of the fundamental constituents of Mongolian culture seems todisappear. Although in the last 25 years Mongolians have increasingly adaptedto the globalized culture, the need for independent cultural identity is gettingstronger. This identity plays an important role in elaborating economic strategies that are adaptable to the changed environment. It can be observed, forexample, in turnout of shamans in the towns, in the changes of the BuddhistChurch’s social functions or in the “pretended” nomadic lifestyle aroundthe main destinations of tourism.