The Chinggis Khan ceremony that is performed annually by MACA has been a Mongol tradition for over 700 years. Under the reign of Khubilai Khan (circa 1260 – 1294), 500 households were gathered from all over the Mongol Empire and from all of the different Mongol groups to form the Darkhad tribe. The Darkhad, along with the Ordos Mongols, were entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the memorial relics and rituals performed in the memory of the founder of the Mongolian State, Chinggis Khan.
The memorial services carried out by the Darkhad and supported by the Ordos Mongols were held year-round in historical shrines all over the Ordos region. The most important and largest ceremony was held on the 21st day of the lunar month in the Ejen Qoroo banner of Ordos, attended by representatives and pilgrims from all Mongol tribes. Many of the rituals that were performed originated from ancient times, and were carried on throughout the generations with little change, until the mid-1950s. In 1956, a modern mausoleum was built near the original Ejen Qoroo site, and due to ideological constraints, the traditional rituals were consolidated to a shorter, modernized version.
In 1988, MACA brought an abbreviated version of the ceremony to the United States under the direction of the late Professor Gombojab Hangin. Since then, the performance has continued to draw Mongols and non-Mongols alike from all over the United States to memorialize Chinggis Khan and celebrate Mongol culture and history. The event is held at least once annually in New Jersey.
Chinggis Khan Ceremony