In the Mongol Empire (1206 - 1368), the idea of family being prominent in one’s life was translated into their everyday lives, such as living only with family, and fighting only for family. The idea behind forming an anda or quda was the thought that one could expand their family or tribe.While the collapse of an anda or quda could instigate a rivalry between individuals or clans, the social mobility associated with an anda relationship and the ability to unify clans through the quda led to the success of Mongol leaders, and consequent achievements for the Mongol Empire.
The ancient Mongol custom of forming an anda was the ritual of one male becoming blood brothers with another unrelated male. The concept of creating an anda was executed when …show more content…
The Secret History of the Mongols, described the relationship as “Men who are sworn brothers share one life. They do not abandon each other but protect that life”(Emerson). As stated by Jack Weatherford, a Professor of Anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and author of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World: the bond between two blood brothers was stronger than any familial bond, as the anda was freely chosen by the males (Weatherford “Making” 22). When each male in the relationship was still working to find his place, the anda could be mutually beneficial as each would always have a companion willing to die for him. Both parties could achieve many things and share their greatness with each other. The anda could also help a male who needed to be accepted within another clan. This was epitomized when Temujin and his family first arrived at Jamuka’s camp; Temujin and Jamuka find they love each other and must become brothers (Emerson). As Jamuka was the son of the chief in the Jadaran clan, having an anda with Jamuka would allow Temujin to be accepted (Sargent). This anda became the first stepping stone in Temujin’s great political career. The anda often lead to significant social mobility for one or both of the males participating in the sacred …show more content…
In the case of Genghis Khan, his marriage to the daughter of Jaka Gambu, brother of Ong Khan, was broken for political reasons, stemming from the idea that Jaka Gambu was to become rivals with Genghis Khan’s in order to gain more power for himself (Weatherford “Secret” 27). The consequent separation between Genghis Khan and his wife was mandatory in order for Genghis Khan to show he still valued his people over his own desire (Weatherford “Secret” 27). If a proposed marriage failed to take place, a rivalry was generally started between the two clans. For instance, when Genghis Khan first attempted to marry one of his daughters to Terge Emel, in order to secure one of his first alliances, the refusal by Terge solidified a hatred from Genghis Khan toward the older man (Weatherford “Secret” 18). Tenge Enel’s refusal eventually led to his death at the hand of Genghis Khan (Weatherford “Secret” 18). The risk of death due to failed qudas eventually led to Genghis Khan marrying his daughters only to his trusted allies (Weatherford “Secret” 30). Although the quda was an effective way for two clans to unite, failure of a quda could lead to death and destruction between the neighboring
The ancient Mongol custom of forming an anda was the ritual of one male becoming blood brothers with another unrelated male. The concept of creating an anda was executed when …show more content…
The Secret History of the Mongols, described the relationship as “Men who are sworn brothers share one life. They do not abandon each other but protect that life”(Emerson). As stated by Jack Weatherford, a Professor of Anthropology at Macalester College in Minnesota, and author of Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World: the bond between two blood brothers was stronger than any familial bond, as the anda was freely chosen by the males (Weatherford “Making” 22). When each male in the relationship was still working to find his place, the anda could be mutually beneficial as each would always have a companion willing to die for him. Both parties could achieve many things and share their greatness with each other. The anda could also help a male who needed to be accepted within another clan. This was epitomized when Temujin and his family first arrived at Jamuka’s camp; Temujin and Jamuka find they love each other and must become brothers (Emerson). As Jamuka was the son of the chief in the Jadaran clan, having an anda with Jamuka would allow Temujin to be accepted (Sargent). This anda became the first stepping stone in Temujin’s great political career. The anda often lead to significant social mobility for one or both of the males participating in the sacred …show more content…
In the case of Genghis Khan, his marriage to the daughter of Jaka Gambu, brother of Ong Khan, was broken for political reasons, stemming from the idea that Jaka Gambu was to become rivals with Genghis Khan’s in order to gain more power for himself (Weatherford “Secret” 27). The consequent separation between Genghis Khan and his wife was mandatory in order for Genghis Khan to show he still valued his people over his own desire (Weatherford “Secret” 27). If a proposed marriage failed to take place, a rivalry was generally started between the two clans. For instance, when Genghis Khan first attempted to marry one of his daughters to Terge Emel, in order to secure one of his first alliances, the refusal by Terge solidified a hatred from Genghis Khan toward the older man (Weatherford “Secret” 18). Tenge Enel’s refusal eventually led to his death at the hand of Genghis Khan (Weatherford “Secret” 18). The risk of death due to failed qudas eventually led to Genghis Khan marrying his daughters only to his trusted allies (Weatherford “Secret” 30). Although the quda was an effective way for two clans to unite, failure of a quda could lead to death and destruction between the neighboring