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Anthropology Professor Jack Weatherford Honored in MongoliaTo promote its country’s culture and heritage, Mongolia hascreated a foundation and prize in honor of DeWitt WallaceProfessor of Anthropology Jack Weatherford, an expert inMongolian history and culture. On January 27, 2012—the 25thanniversary of the establishment of U.S.–Mongoliandiplomatic relations—the foundation will issue its first JackWeatherford Prize and medal.  The medal, modeled on the one given to winners of the Pulitzer Prize, will be awarded annually to the authorof the best book or other work of scholarship about Mongolian history or culture written in the Mongolianlanguage.  Because 2012 is also the 850th anniversary of the birth of Genghis Khan, the office of the President ofMongolia also has arranged for audio book recordings of Weatherford’s books, Genghis Khan and theMaking of the Modern World and The Secret History of the Mongol Queens, to be played at all Mongolia’ssacred sites. The following is an interview conducted recently with Weatherford.Q: There’s now a Mongolian medal in your honor. Have you yourself received any medals inMongolia? A: I received the nation’s highest medal, the Order of the Polar Star, in 2007 from President Enkhbayar,and in 2010 received the Friendship Medal from President Elbegdorj. Q: Tell us about the audio recordings of your books that are being placed at the sacred sites. A: Mongolians have a deep sense of history and are incredibly committed to honoring the environmentaround them. Various rituals are performed to honor mountains, rivers, and lakes with prayers, libations ofmilk or vodka, and songs. Because 2012 is the 850th anniversary of the birth of Genghis Khan, officialsdecided that playing my audio books would be a good way to honor these sacred sites and to show that theMongols have not forgotten their history.  Since the books were written by a foreigner, they also demonstratethat the whole world remembers the deeds of the great Mongols of the past.  Q: What does that mean to you?A: For a scholar to find so much acceptance and appreciation is a truly great honor, but I always rememberthe scholars of a century ago who lost their lives in Mongolia for doing what I am now free to do. The honorgoes to them, for they kept Mongolian scholarship alive in the most difficult circumstances. Through mywork I hope to pass along their work to the next generation.  Q: You and your wife, Walker Weatherford, spend your summers in Mongolia. What makes Mongoliaso special to you both?A: Walker and I are now legal residents of Mongolia and spend five months a year in our home there. I haveAnthropology Professor Jack Weatherford Honored in Mongolia - News... http://www.macalester.edu/news/2012/01/anthropology-professor-jack-w...1 of 2 7/6/2016 11:05 AMlearned more from seeing how the Mongolians deal with Walker, who has multiple sclerosis, than from all thebooks I’ve read. She is in a wheelchair, mostly paralyzed, and barely able to speak. Of course, in Mongoliathere are no special facilities for disabled people; the streets and sidewalks are a jumble of broken cement andopen holes. Yet when we step out of our building, hands always appear. No one says, "May I help you?" Theysimply do it and disappear, expecting no thanks. I never have to ask for help. Every week a few musicianscome by to play the horse-head fiddle and sing for Walker, in the belief that music is the best medicine. Popsingers and hip-hop groups have come for the same purpose, saying that it will keep our home warm. Onesinger who spoke no English learned to sing "Only You" by The Platters because it’s a song Walkerloves. People from all over the countryside send us dairy products. Our kitchen is usually full of yoghurt,hard cream, curds, mare's milk, mutton, horse ribs, and wild berries. Lamas, shamans, and healers come by tooffer prayers, incense, herbal teas, chants, massage, and other forms of traditional treatments. Even strangerssend camel wool or cashmere blankets, shawls, and socks to keep Walker warm. Mongolia has welcomed uswith a care and warmth I can scarcely comprehend. The greatest honor for the two of us is not any officialrecognition but these daily acts of concern, along with the young parents who have asked us to name theirnewborn children. Their request illustrates how much they want to keep the connection with their past andpass it on to their children. I feel that through these children whom we have named, Walker and I will be apart of Mongolia for another generation, long after we are gone. Q: If someone wanted to visit Mongolia, when should they travel and what would you recommend theysee?The best months to visit Mongolia are from July through the end of September when the grass is green andthe animals are well fed.  Little time is needed in the city; the true Mongolian experience is in thecountryside. You’ll need a car and driver since there are few roads and only local drivers will know theway. There’s a wonderful two-week loop from the capital south to the Gobi, northwest to the old Mongolcapital at Karakorum on the Orkhon River, and east through the wild horse area and back to the city. Thereare camps along the way where you can stay in a ger (the Mongolian tent or yurt) and get good food.Otherwise, there are no hotels or restaurants. January 25 2012About Macalester (http://www.macalester.edu/about/)Academics (http://www.macalester.edu/academics/)Admissions & Financial Aid (http://www.macalester.edu/admissions/)Life at Mac (http://www.macalester.edu/lifeatmac/)Support Mac (http://www.macalester.edu/supportmac/)Anthropology Professor Jack Weatherford Honored in Mongolia - News... http://www.macalester.edu/news/2012/01/anthropology-professor-jack-w...2 of 2 7/6/2016 11:05 AM

Anthropology Professor Jack Weatherford Honored in Mongolia

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Anthropology Professor Jack Weatherford Honored in Mongolia

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