Introduction / History The Khalkha are the largest group of Mongols in Mongolia. In fact, they are the core of all the Mongol peoples across North Asia. The Khalkha Mongols consider themselves the direct descendants of Genghis Khan and therefore, the true preservers of Mongol culture.
In the thirteenth century, Genghis Khan formed one of the greatest empires in world history by uniting all of the nomadic Mongol tribes. During the centuries that followed, the once mighty Mongol Empire was squeezed between the growing Russian and Chinese empires. In the early 1920s, Mongolia became a Marxist state until its quiet democratic revolution in 1990.
The Khalkha Mongols consider their language, Halh, to be the "real" Mongolian language, since all other Mongols speak variations or dialects of Halh. Halh is understood throughout Mongolia and by Mongols living in Central Asia.
Mongolia was once one of the most closed countries in the world, but is now relatively open to outside influence, including Christianity. They can also be reached in Western countries like Belgium. Where are they located? Most Khalka Mongolians live in Mongolia or China, but a small number have found their way to Canada, the US, or European countries like Belgium and Germany. There is not a large Mongolian diaspora in the West. What are their lives like? The Mongolian community in Belgium is so small that it's hard to make any generalizations about how they live. They are probably being accepted in this small European country—two female Mongolians lawyers ran for political office in 2018. What are their beliefs? Khalkha Mongols were traditionally Shamanists (belief in an unseen world of gods, demons, and spirits). The people depended on shamans (medicine men) to cure the sick by magic, communicate with the gods, and control events.
In the late 1500s, the Mongols were introduced to Tibetan Buddhism, and most Mongols converted to Buddhism at that time. By 1900, more than half of Mongolia's males were serving as priests in Buddhist monasteries. However, as a result of an anti-religious movement launched by the Marxist government in the 1930s, about three-quarters of the Khalkha Mongols became either non-religious or atheists.
Today, a number of Khalkha Mongols have returned to the beliefs of their forefathers. Shamans are once again called upon to cure the sick or alleviate evil spirits through divination, oracles, and astrology. A combination of Buddhism and Shamanism has survived, especially among the elderly. Obos, heaps of stones thought to be inhabited by local spirits, are seen on almost every hilltop. What are their needs? The Mongolians in Belgium need to hear what Jesus can do to provide them with abundant life. Who will go to them? Prayer Points Pray for the Khalka Mongolians in Belgium to have a spiritual hunger that will give them the willingness to seek and find Jesus Christ.
Pray for workers to go to the Khalka Mongols in Beligium.
Pray for an unstoppable disciple-making movement among Mongols in Belgium once some of them find their way to the only Savior. References https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/18605/MG
https://montsame.mn/en/read/167539 View Mongol, Khalka in all countries.
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