The art of prophesying through blessing is a unique and valued tradition in Mongolian culture. This ritual poetry, known as "blessings," has been recited during public celebrations since ancient times. It is believed to have been created around the end of the XY century, with the purpose of prophesying and symbolizing the good of something. These blessings are classified into various categories, including ritual blessings, livestock and hunting blessings, sacrificial blessings, and historical event blessings.
During public celebrations, a blessed person will recite a blessing to the honored guests sitting in the home, following a special ritual. The blessing is sung in a melodious and even rhythm, and typically begins and ends with the word "zee," similar to a feast song. The verses of the blessings often take the form of a question and answer, with one person asking a question and another answering. For example, they might ask, "If you look at the angles, it's square, and if you look at the color, it's white, what is it?" The answer might be, "It's made by seventy people, and the sea is white felt."
Mongolian folk blessings can be further categorized into micro-blessings, mini-blessings, and detailed blessings. Micro-blessings are short, consisting of only 2-6 words, and are typically recited during a two-pronged campaign. Mini-blessings, on the other hand, are composed of two or three lines or two or three stanzas and are considered to be poetic blessings. These blessings can include incantations and invocations, such as in the spell for lighting a fire, where one might say, "let's be happy, let's offer blue goat's fat, let's offer red goat's fat, let's offer a sip of ghee."
Delger er'ol is another type of Mongolian folk poetry that is longer and more elaborate, with irregular lines and eloquent connections. These poems often serve as general blessings for weddings, festivals, brides, homes, wrestling titles, racing horses, arrow hurdles, felting, cattle counting, fire sacrifices, and more. Mongolian blessings are not just recited during public celebrations, but they are also used to bless individuals and homes in everyday life. It is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation and remains an important part of Mongolian culture today.
In addition to their ritualistic and symbolic nature, Mongolian blessings are also appreciated for their aesthetic value. They are known for their poetic language, eloquent phrasing, and harmonious rhythm. When recited in unison, Mongolian blessings create a powerful and mesmerizing atmosphere that captivates the audience. The art of blessing is a cherished part of Mongolian culture, and it continues to be passed down from elders to younger generations.
In conclusion, Mongolian blessings are a unique and treasured tradition in Mongolian culture. These ritual poems are recited during public celebrations to prophesy and symbolize the good of something. They are classified into various categories, including ritual blessings, livestock and hunting blessings, sacrificial blessings, and historical event blessings. Mongolian blessings are further categorized into micro-blessings, mini-blessings, and detailed blessings. These poems are not only appreciated for their symbolic and ritualistic nature but also for their aesthetic value. They are known for their poetic language, eloquent phrasing, and harmonious rhythm. The art of blessing is a significant and treasured part of Mongolian culture, and it continues to be passed down from generation to generation.