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Coaxing Ritual (Inge Khööslökh)



Among the most interesting Mongolian customs is the so-called 'coaxing ritual' for camels, also known as an 'inge khööslökh'. It is performed when a camel is rejecting its newborn calf or the orphaned calf needs to be adopted.

The Mongolian steppes are a land of endless steppes, herders, and nomads, descendants of the infamous Genghis Khan, who has successfully adapted to the particular natural conditions. Since the nomadic way of life has always depended on animals, herds have been the alpha and omega for the migrating Mongols. The material and spiritual culture of the Mongols is connected to the surrounding environment and animals.

Khööslökh is more common in the desert areas, where people herd large numbers of camels. These areas include the Mongolian administrative provinces of Aimags Dundgovi Province, Omnögovi Province, and Bayankhongor Province. There are slight differences in the way the custom is played and sung, depending on the particular area, as well as the way a female camel behaves.

This would imply that the ritual could be simply played with the morin khuur, although sometimes heartfelt songs, or khöös, could be performed, or spontaneous melodies could be created according to an instrument.

This rite consists of playing a two-stringed instrument, known as a morin khuur, and singing the khöös (mng. xeeс) a monotone song accompanied by gestures and chanting near the mother and calves. Depending on how the mother reacts to the calf, the coaxer changes the melody and gradually coaxes her toward acceptance.

Rituals are performed by camel handlers at dusk or twilight and require a talent for singing and musical skill on instruments such as horsehead fiddles and flutes. Most herdswomen perform rituals using techniques and methods of coaxing, but professional coaxers can be enlisted to perform when there is no singer available locally.

These rituals act as a symbol for creating and maintaining social ties between nomadic families and their communities. However, changes in the social and cultural environment have negatively affected its survival. These days, unfortunately, only a few Mongolian pastoralists maintain this rare tradition of coaxing camels.

Though the knowledge of this ritual is passed down from generation to generation, it is slowly disappearing due to the westernization of Mongolia and urbanization. As of today, motorcycles are preferred to camels as a mode of transport, and the migration to urban areas has lowered the number of young herders. The new generations lose touch with their traditional ties to pastoral husbandry.


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