Ritual event marks life of Genghis Khan in Ordos

The largest ritual event marking the life of Genghis Khan in the city of Ordos, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, opened at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, a national 5A-level scenic spot in the city, on May 6.

The traditional event, named Genghis Khan Chagansuluke Ceremony, saw nearly 100,000 visitors gather at the holy site to take part in a series of rituals.

Early in the morning, visitors swarmed into the tourist area, with many of them dressed in traditional Mongolia clothing and holding sacrificial offerings such as hada, a piece of silk used to pay tribute or to greet guests, as well as mutton and milk.

At nine o’clock, visitors slowly walked into the hall of the mausoleum and presented their sacrificial offerings as participants sang an ancient eulogy which can be traced back hundreds of years.

“My mother is 78 years old and she still insists on attending the Genghis Khan Chagansuluke Ceremony to pray every year,” said Narima, a resident of Uxin Banner which is more than 100 kilometers from the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan.

“The ceremony is a very significant event for ethnic Mongolians,” added Narima.

During the ceremony, various activities including a Nadam festival, a sales exhibition of traditional Mongolian commodities, and artistic performances will also be held.

The annual Genghis Khan Chagansuluke Ceremony usually takes place around March 17 and runs until March 24, with the actual date set according to the lunar calendar.  

On March 21, Ordos residents used the milk of 99 white mares to make an offering to the god, a practice dating back 800 years.

In 2006, a series of ceremonies that are regularly held to honor Genghis Khan in Ordos were added to the China Intangible Cultural Heritage List.

The largest ritual event marking the life of Genghis Khan takes place in the city of Ordos, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, May 6. The event was hosted at the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan, a national 5A-level scenic spot in the city. [Photo/Xinhua]