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⇒  TOHOKU UNIVERSITY Researchers

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⇒ J-GROBAL

Anthropological Studies on Home, Social Interactions and Cross-border Transactions in Western Mongolia.

I have conducted anthropological research in western Mongolia, focusing on understanding the social characteristics of pastoralist regions through the lens of everyday social interactions. Rooted in the livelihood and mobile pastoralism, Mongolian pastoralist societies are shaped by dynamic relationships and networks formed through the circulation of people and goods, as well as practices of visitation and exchange. My previous research has illuminated the distinctive modes of social orientation toward others in pastoralist contexts, as revealed through the social interactions, such as greetings, conversations or exchanges. I have also examined how the movement of people and goods facilitated by automobiles and highways underpins local livelihood strategies and drives the formation of socio-material networks within these communities.

At this research center, I aim to further investigate the positioning of Mongolia’s pastoral economy within the global economic framework by examining the production and distribution networks of livestock products and the proposed China-Mongolia-Russia economic corridor. Through this inquiry, I seek to clarify the current conditions of Mongolia, and challenges surrounding the sustainable development of Mongolia’s pastoral economy under globalization.

The traditional Mongolian mobile house, the ger, is indispensable for facilitating the mobility of pastoralist societies and plays a crucial role in creating the nomadic social space.

In Mongolia, livestock are not only consumed domestically but also serve as a source of cash income through the shipment of various animal products—such as meat, hides, and wool—to urban markets.

Principal areas of interest

• Techniques of Hospitality and Dwelling Practices in Pastoralist Communities
• Production, Distribution, and Consumption of Livestock Products