How a Woman Lived in Mongol Culture vs. How a Woman Lived in 13th Century China

Once upon a time, in a far away nomadic society in Mongolia, women played an important role in the economy.

Women groomed, fed, and cared for all the animals, as their society was always on the move.

Once upon a time, in 13th century China, women played a role in the economy too.

A Chinese woman may have been in charge of town inns, restaurants, or to weave mats.

Across the steep, looming mountains of the vast Mongolian Empire, the women played a crucial role in military.

Many Mongolian women even took a role fighting in battles.

In the far away lands of China, a rather different image of a woman was predominant from 1200 to around 1280 in China.

Woman were educated and poetic, reserved while respectful, and “slender, petite, and dainty.”

The ladies of Mongolia were granted legal rights.

A Mongol woman could own property and divorce her husband if she wished.

Within the Chinese dynasty of the Song that dominated China until 20 years prior to the year 1300, Chinese women could divorce as long as the sentiment was mutual between herself and her husband.

But, many times a Chinese woman widow would not remarry as they were following Confucian beliefs.

One of the most famous women in Mongolian history is Sorghaghtani Beki, the mother of Kublai Khan and the daughter-in-law of Chinggis Khan.

Sorghanghtani made sure all of her sons were educated, she integrated clergy of various religions to create more peace within the empire, and she also discouraged against the exploitation of people.

The Chinese had their share of remarkable women as well.

Women such as the mother of Shen Kuo taught her son primary education and military strategy. Hu Wenrou was an outstanding female mathematician. Li Qingzhao wrote beautiful poems about her life, along with many other important women figures.

The Mongol society believed in polygamy meaning that the husbands could have several wives.

A woman had no stigma in the Mongol society if she had already been married and was either a widow, or had chosen to be divorced.

The Chinese culture differed in the sense that monogamy was the predominant and most accepted marriage custom, a marriage between one man and one woman.

Polygamy was neither discouraged or encouraged. It was only encourage as means to have a male child. Polygamy was always one man to several women.

The Mongolian women were often times known for wearing “trousers” and “shooting just as well as men.”

These women would carry a bow and arrow as well as skillfully mounting horses.

During this time in history, foot binding was a very popular (and painful) practice and was popularized during this time as well.

Young Chinese girls were forced to wear extremely tight/small shoes to prevent further growth in their foot. This practice was popular because a smaller foot was considered “attractive.” Foot binding was popular in every class except the lower Chinese classes.

Shamanism was important in Mongolian culture/society.

Shamanism permitted both female and male shamans. Female shamans were referred to as idugans and male shamans were referred to as boeges.

Buddhism flourished in China during the 13th century.

Buddhism taught that a women should obey her husband, but her husband should also respect his wife.

Buddhist nuns were as far as women could usually reach in Buddhism.

Overall in the vast Mongol Empire, Mongol women were treated with dignity and respect in the sense that they would help participate in battle, help with the economy, have the right to divorce and remarry with no stigma attached, etc.

However, of course there were inherent gender biases and stigmas given the time period in history.

Overall, the Chinese women of the 13th century has certain rights and certain disadvantages. They helped contribute to the economy in some ways, they helped give their husband advice, and upper class Chinese women were educated.

However, there were also inherent Chinese disadvantages for women, such as putting a high value on beauty with practice like foot binding and encouraging women to stay home as a “home maker”.

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2014. Eagleclaw.gr,. 'Ying Shou Quan'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014. En.cnki.com.cn,. 'The Study On The Daughters' Rights To Possess

And Arrange Their Parents' Property During The Period From Tang To Song Dynasty--《 Journal Of Tangshan Teachers College》2010年03期 '. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.

Mongolia-attractions.com,. 'Ancient Mongol Women'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.

Womeninworldhistory.com,. 'Gender Difference In History: Women In China And Japan Essay (Women In World History Curriculum)'. N.p., 2014. Web. 22 Nov. 2014.

Written by: Victoria Franco

AP World History November 21st,

2014