Comments on: Kalmykia and Takla Makan migrations

Kalmykia and Takla Makan migrations

homunculus — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 15:04:01 -0800

The republic of Kalmykia is a unique place. A member of the Russian Federation, it was settled in 1608 by Mongols from what is now the Chinese province of Xinjiang. It is the only state in Europe where Buddhism is the dominant religion, and probably the only state in the world whose president claims to have created an "extra-sensory field" around it. Kalmykia's spiritual leader, Telo Rinpoche, is an American from Philadelphia who was appointed by the Dalai Lama. There has been a long history of migrations between Europe and Asia. In one really intriguing case, 3000-year-old mummies with reddish-blond hair, Caucasian features and wearing tartans similar in design to Celtic ones, were discovered in the Takla Makan Desert in Xinjiang. If these ancient Caucasians were absorbed by the population of Xinjiang, then perhaps the Kalmyk migration might have unknowingly been a return to their ancestral lands. [First link via plep].

By: homunculus

homunculus — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 16:23:37 -0800

Meanwhile, in Mongolia, they're finding that nomadic pastoralism and private land just don't mix. *wonders why his brain is filled with a thousand hairy horsemen all shouting at him*

By: ParisParamus

ParisParamus — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 16:40:47 -0800

Cool link. Definitely a place I'd like to visit...although wifey is making plans to go as Canadians....

By: rushmc

rushmc — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 18:14:28 -0800

Fascinating!

By: Pretty_Generic

Pretty_Generic — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 18:16:39 -0800

Amazing to think there's a Buddhist republic in Europe that 99% of Europeans won't have heard of...

By: 327.ca

327.ca — Sun, 29 Dec 2002 18:24:12 -0800

Great post! Thank you.

By: plep

plep — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 00:31:31 -0800

If you are interested in Kalmykia, you might also like this page about Tuva. Also of interest might be the Friends of Tuva.

By: Pretty_Generic

Pretty_Generic — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 05:37:05 -0800

Ah yes, Tuvan bitonal throat singing...

By: Tarrama

Tarrama — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 06:17:38 -0800

Thanks homunculus, this was really interesting.

By: evening

evening — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 06:25:28 -0800

absolutely fascinating. thanks!

By: echolalia67

echolalia67 — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 13:35:02 -0800

Thank you for settling a Christmas dinner argument!

By: scottymac

scottymac — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 13:59:01 -0800

[ this is good ]

By: homunculus

homunculus — Mon, 30 Dec 2002 17:42:32 -0800

I'm glad you all liked the post. echolalia67, what was the arguement about? plep, thanks for the Tuva links, and all the other great links on your blog.