Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture hosted the “114th Mongolian National Commemoration Ceremony – Genghis Khan Ritual” at the Howard Plaza Hotel in Taipei today (April 18th), witnessing the development of diverse cultures. Genghis Khan is regarded as the sacred ancestor of the Mongolian people, and according to tradition, a grand ritual is held by Mongolians on the 21st day of the third lunar month each year. This tradition has been passed down in Taiwan for 74 years and holds profound significance.
This year’s “Genghis Khan Ritual” was officiated by Lin Hongyi, the Director-General of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China (Taiwan), with Mongolian associations, compatriots in Taiwan, and Mongolian new immigrants in attendance. The ceremony followed ancient customs, offering flowers, incense, libations, silk cloth, and reciting ritual texts to the statue of Genghis Khan. The officiants were dressed in traditional Mongolian attire. The Taipei Chinese Orchestra and choir were invited to perform music and ceremonial songs, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China (Taiwan) stated that Mongolia’s unique cultural heritage, shaped by its natural environment, has accumulated as a valuable intangible cultural asset through oral transmission and generations of preservation. It embodies the ancient cultural memory and history of the people in various fields such as religion, philosophy, language, cultural arts, lifestyle, and economic activities, blending harmoniously with the cultures of other ethnic groups in Taiwan, forming the foundation of Taiwan’s diverse culture.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China (Taiwan) pointed out that since the revival of the Genghis Khan Ritual in Taiwan in 1951, it has not only united the Mongolian population in Taiwan but has also become a spiritual heritage for Mongolian new immigrants. The Ministry aims to continue preserving, researching, and promoting Mongolian culture, hoping to pass down the cultural traditions of Mongolians in Taiwan, sustain Taiwan’s cultural diversity, and witness the development of a diverse cultural landscape in Taiwan’s democratic and free society.
Today, Mongolian students studying in Taiwan and individuals interested in Mongolian culture also participated in the ceremony. Following the ritual, special Mongolian arts and cultural performances were arranged, featuring domestic nomadic musicians playing traditional Mongolian instruments such as the morin khuur (horsehead fiddle) and throat singing, as well as dancers performing Mongolian dances inspired by Shamanism. These activities aim to promote Mongolian ethnic culture to the Taiwanese people and showcase Taiwan’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.
The Ministry of Culture of the Republic of China (Taiwan) emphasized that the Mongolian people possess a rich cultural heritage, including traditional arts such as the morin khuur, throat singing, and Biyelgee dance, all of which have been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity.