The Art of Blessing in Oirat Culture
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Bembejav is a well-known authority on blessings, often invited by local Mongolians to bestow blessings on special occasions such as wedding ceremonies, horse races, and other significant ritual events. Although Bembejav never received formal schooling, he acquired this skill from his father and five other lamas who were forced out of the monastery to work with horse herders during the commune era. According to Bembejav, the blessing words among Torghuts are akin to the Epic Jangar, mostly originating from his own mind. Consequently, he is capable of continuously delivering blessings for ten minutes or even up to an hour. However, he laments that contemporary individuals tend to rely solely on scripted blessing words from books, limiting their creativity and ability for quick thinking, thereby confining themselves within predetermined boundaries. As Bembejav described, blessing words should not be viewed merely as a performance; rather, they are an integral part of debates, as dissatisfied individuals may pose questions based on the blessings given. Over the years, Bembejav has been invited to various occasions in different locations, including Urumchi, Bortal, Ili, Bayangol, and many other places. In this video, Bembejav blessed his championed horse and other livestock, wedding ceremonies, religion, pastureland, etc., employing a rich vocabulary, poetic narratives, and captivating phrases seldom heard from others. Blessing words hold special significance in Oirat heritage, with every aspect of Torghut life, from nature to animals to human beings, imbued with blessings and well-wishes. These blessings encapsulate desires for ample grass, abundant water, healthy and thriving livestock, and happiness and prosperity for humanity, contrasting with the discourse of slander prevalent in contemporary society. The latter part of the video offers insights into Bembejav’s summer pasture and his everyday routines. Because of the new border fence erected around Sair Mountain by the Chinese government, Bembejav, along with many other herders, relocates to a lower pasture where he used to graze his herds during the autumn season. The enclosure resulting from the border fence has led to a reduction in pasture size, prompting herders in the region to downsize their livestock and seek alternative sources of income to support their families. In response, Bembejav turns to milking his mares for sale during the summer months.