Baishingtin Oboo: Reshaping Borders and Memories
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Despite common belief, Baishingtin Oboo is not synonymous with Tsagan Oboo. Constructed by Shaliwan Gegen in 2009, Baishingtin Oboo holds its own significance separate from the old Tsagan Oboo, which once marked the northwest border of Hobogsair with Russia. Recollections from esteemed elders like Dawan Sumyan of the Böörs Sum provide insights into the old Tsagan Oboo, described as a structure crafted from white stone, reminiscent of a tent in size and scale. However, subsequent visits to the site revealed the absence of these stones, suggesting possible removal by Soviet Russians or Kazakhs in the intervening years. Beyond its symbolic importance, the Tsagan Oboo served as a geographical border where rivers diverged towards Russia and China, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between Torghuts and Russians. Today, the site lies enclosed within China’s new border fence, marking a shift in its historical and geographical significance.