0310 Ondoor Nastai, Tall in Years

This Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Asia from the KU Center for East Asian Studies.

As a rule, age is well-respected in East Asia. Confucius laid out rules for hierarchical relationships between the ages and Korea has countless customs that show respect for the elderly but nowhere, perhaps, is age more revered than here in Mongolia. Few celebrations are considered complete if not attended by a senior. And it is of the utmost important to have the oldest person possible attend the naming ceremony of the newest born because the presence of someone so mature is thought to confer longevity on the infant. You know, Mongolian doesn’t even use the word old or senior or elder. Instead, they say ondoor nastai, tall in years. Given the shrinkage to age ratio, it’s comforting to know that the shorter we get, the taller we get.

From the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.

#Mongolia #Hacker #CEAS