The Role of Mongol Women in the Empire

An Article By Mia Grandstaff

Women in the Mongol Empire were treated much more fairly than women in other cultures. They had way more freedom and responsibilities. They were so respected that they actually got to participate in the things that the men would usually do in a culture. The Mongol Empire was known for its superior treatment of women. They also had a high status because Fertility was more valued than virginity, so women with children were very valued. They got to participate in things like battle and riding horseback. The women were so highly respected that the men actually went to them for advice on making important decisions.

Mongol women in battle Mongol women were also able to participate in a battle, either by fighting or making the Mongol Army look bigger. Women were able to fight, or they would take all the women and children and put them in the back of the army to make it look bigger. But most times men went to battle while women made the clothes and milked the animals. Work was divided between the husband and the wife, stuff like watching the children and doing other chores. Both men and women raised their children together so that it didn't put too much burden on the women.

Married mongol women Marriage in the Mongol Empire was very different than marriage is today. Married women in the Mongol Empire would wear headdresses to show their status. The headdresses they wore were very elaborate and beautiful because the Mongols loved hats and headgear. Sometimes women from one Mongol tribe would be stolen and married to a man in another Mongol tribe. She could refuse the marriage, but that was very rare in the early ages. If their husband died, most times the woman wouldn't remarry. She would gain a large inheritance and she would be the head of the household. Women also had the ability to independently own their own household. If the chief died, then his wife would rule the tribe in his place until it was time for a new leader to arise. And because of that, there were many women rulers. Genghis Khan’s son Ogodei who ruled the Mongol Empire for a while usually spent his time drunk, so the most capable of his wives Toregene took over the empire and ruled for him.

Women rank and status Although Mongol women were treated a lot better compared to women of other cultures, they still were ranked lower than their husbands, brothers, and fathers. If a woman were married the husband would still be the head of the household, unless he died. Then the wife or in some cases even the daughter would be the head of the household. If the dad was not present from the beginning then the wife would be the head of the household.

Women’s Everyday Lives The everyday life of a mongol women was very interesting. They took care of the children, milked the animals, and occasionally went into battle with their husbands and sons. These women were very prioritized in the Mongolian Culture. The chores in each household were split between both the men and the women in the household so that the man nor the woman weren’t doing all the chores by themselves. Women and daughters didn’t just stay home and learn how to take care of the household, they also were a major part in the everyday Mongolian life.

Sources

Taylor, Robert. Life in Genghis Khan's Mongolia. Lucent Books, 2001.

“Mongol Women and Their Social Roles.” History, 20 Mar. 2018, www.historyonthenet.com/mongol-women-in-society.

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Fernandez, Jermi. “Mongol Gender Roles.” Prezi.com, 18 Mar. 2014, prezi.com/ufkyex-tzwrb/mongol-gender-roles/.

Weatherford, Jack. The Secret History of the Mongol Queens: How the Daughters of Genghis Khan Rescued His Empire. 2010.

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