AAS-in-Asia, Seoul

From Borderland to Ethnic Boundary: Transformation of the Ma family’s Öng’üt identity in the Mongol Empire

• In Event: Transcending Boundaries of Identity, Religion and Dynasties in the Local Societies during the Song(Jin)-Yuan-Ming transition (1100 to 1400)

Abstract

The Öng’üt 汪古 tribe which resided along the border of the early Mongol Empire and the Jurchen Jin Dynasty played an important role in the history of the Mongol Empire. Although the formation and transformation of the Öng’üt identity has been discussed by Zhou Qingshu 周清澍 and recently by Christopher Atwood, it seems clear that the Öng’üt tribe originates from Uyghurs. However, the transformation process still deserves further investigation. Among all the sources, the history of the Ma family is of great value for its long-term duration lasting from the late 11th century to the middle 14th century. The historiography before and under the Mongol Empire provides us a valuable opportunity to understand the transformation of ethnic identity under various contexts, including the political position as a borderland ethnic group combined with the “Nestorian” Christianity. Comparing the tale of Ma’s ancestor with Arabic and Syriac literatures, it could be assumed that the Ma family interpolated an archetype which might be popular among contemporary Syriac Christians, in order to strengthen their identity as a borderland ethnic group loyal to the Jurchens. Under the Mongol Empire, while most of the Mas immigrated deep into North China, the Öng’üt became the ethnic boundary between the Mongols and other peoples. The Mas’ Syriac Christian personal names and the Genealogy composed in middle 14th century showed that their cultural tendencies and identity should not be considered as merely “Sinicization”.

Author

• Xiaolin Ma, Nankai University