Yes, the Mongols drank kumis (also spelled “kumiss” or “kumyz”), a fermented mare’s milk that was a major part of the Mongol diet and a central feature of the Mongol culture. The Mongols called the drink “airag” or “arrag,” and they considered it to be a sacred drink that was central to the Mongol way of life. Kumis was typically drunk at meals, on special occasions, and as part of religious rituals.
Kumis was so important to the Mongols that it was a major symbol of the Mongol national identity, and it is still widely drunk in Mongolia today. The drink has a distinctive sour, slightly alcoholic taste, and it is a major feature of the Mongolian national cuisine. The drink has also been adopted by other cultures of Central Asia, including the Turkic, the Kazakh, and the Kyrgyz.
The Production of Kumis
Kumis was traditionally made from mare’s milk, which was fermented in a leather bag or a wooden vat. The fermentation process typically took several days, and the drink was typically drunk fresh, before it had a chance to spoil. The fermentation was typically done by the women of the household, and the process was a major part of the daily routine of the Mongol women.
The production of kumis was a major industry in the Mongol world, and the Mongols maintained large herds of mares specifically for the production of milk. The mares were typically milked several times a day, and the milk was typically fermented immediately. The fermented milk was then stored in leather bags or wooden vats, and it was typically drunk within a few days.
The production of kumis was a major factor in the success of the Mongol pastoral economy, and the Mongols considered the production of kumis to be a sacred duty. The production of kumis was also a major source of social interaction, and the women would often gather together to produce the kumis.
The Cultural Significance of Kumis
Kumis was more than just a drink; it was a major symbol of the Mongol way of life, and it had a deep cultural significance for the Mongols. Kumis was a symbol of the nomadic heritage of the Mongols, and it was a reminder of the importance of the pastoral economy. Kumis was also a symbol of the family, and it was a reminder of the importance of the household in Mongol society.
Kumis was also a major part of the religious life of the Mongols. The drink was typically offered to the spirits and to the ancestors, and it was a major part of the religious rituals. The most important of the religious rituals was the annual offering to Tengri, the eternal blue sky, which was performed at the beginning of the year and which included the offering of kumis.
Kumis was also a major part of the social life of the Mongols. The drink was typically served at feasts and on special occasions, and it was a major symbol of hospitality. The offering of kumis to a guest was a major part of the Mongol tradition of hospitality, and the refusal of kumis was a serious breach of etiquette.
The Health Benefits of Kumis
Kumis was also known for its health benefits, and the Mongols considered it to be a kind of medicine. The drink was believed to be good for the digestion, and it was often prescribed for various ailments. The drink was also believed to be good for the blood, and it was often prescribed for anemia. The drink was also believed to be good for the skin, and it was often used as a cosmetic.
The health benefits of kumis were not, in fact, imaginary. Kumis is a probiotic drink, and it contains a variety of beneficial bacteria that are good for the digestion. The drink is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium. The drink is also a good source of protein, and it is a major source of nutrition for the people of the steppe.
The health benefits of kumis were eventually recognized by the Western world, and the drink was introduced to Europe in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The drink was particularly popular in Russia, where it was used as a medicine for tuberculosis and other diseases. The drink is still produced in Russia and in Central Asia, and it is still considered to be a health drink.
Kumis in the Modern World
Kumis is still widely drunk in Mongolia and in Central Asia, and it is a major feature of the Mongolian national cuisine. The drink is typically served at festivals and on special occasions, and it is a major symbol of the Mongolian national identity. The drink is also a major tourist attraction, and visitors to Mongolia often try kumis during their travels.
Kumis is also produced commercially in a number of countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia. The commercial production of kumis has helped to spread the drink to a wider audience, and it is now available in many countries of the world. The drink is also a major ingredient in a number of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.
Sources
- Jack Weatherford, The Secret History of the Mongol Queens (New York, 2010).
- Anatoly M. Khazanov, Nomads and the Outside World (2nd ed., Madison, 1994).
- David Morgan, The Mongols (2nd ed., Oxford, 2007).