Re: Mongolia

[Corun MacAnndra <corun@access.digex.net>]

Annejke writes:
> 
> For those good gentles of Northern Atlantia who have not had the 
> chance to see the exibit of Mongol pieces at the National Geographic 
> Society go see it.  It runs through July 7 (The day after War 
> Practice in Stierbach).  It includes costumes that will make you weep,
>  jewelry beyond the beautiful, and a yert that is profound in it's 
> size and layout (in my opinion).  the exhibit is open every day until 
> 5p and is free.  The gift shop even has real Mongol hats for sale.
> 
> The National Geographic Society is at 17th and M in DC.

Yes, this is a very nice, if somewhat smallish, exhibit. There is a rather
large proliferation of Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, which is not too unusual
given that it's the predominant religion in Mongolia currently and it along
with Mongolian Shamanism is gaining a resurgence since the ousting of the
Communist regime several years ago. Still, I would have preferred more along
the historical lines, say something between the 13th and 16th centuries. But
that's just me, and they say I don't get out much. ;-)

I've been following this exhibit since last year when Apple put up a web page
for the San Francisco Asian Arts Museum where th exhibit first came upon its
arrival in this country. The url for those who are interested is;

	http://sfasian.apple.com/Mongolia/Home.htm

I believe this is still valid, though I haven't been to it lately. It's very
nice.

For those who have an interest in felting and ger construction, the kiosk at
the exhibit that contains an interactive computer with scads of Quicktime<tm>
video and sound footage is truly wonderful. It shows a ger being constrcuted
from, literally, the ground up. It starts with shearing the sheep for the
wool and goes through felt making, building the wooden bits, and putting it
all together. There's even a glimpse of a ceremony towards the end where they
are sewing the last bits of braided horse hair rope to the edges of a large
triangular piece of felt that will go on the roof. The Shaman sprinkles three
drops of milk (presumably mare's milk) at the three corners. Then the elder
of the family is placed in the middle and lofted in air three times. This
completes a shamanistic rite that is supposed to bring good luck to those
who will live in this ger. If you're going to go, get there at opening time
before the hordes of children descend on the museum and crowd you away from
the kiosk. Also, go into the ger that is set up there and examine the felt
and horse hair rope closely. It's a very nice exhibit.

Chelidon is a local SCA member who has been working closely with the folks
who took the video and did the narration for the kiosk, and has the whole
thing ready to go onto CD ROM as soon as someone can be found to put the
money into it to market it. I know he reads this list occasionally, and
if you're out there, could you please (if you can) give us an update on
how that's all going? Thanks.

In service,
Corun

-- 
===============================================================================
   Corun MacAnndra   |  Can not run out of time. There is infinite time. You
 Dark Horde by birth |  are finite. Zathras is finite. This....is wrong tool.
   Moritu by choice  |                                        -- Zathras
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