| As part of Mongolian cultural traditions, the development of the Chinggis Khan Mausoleum reflects the process of symbol/tradition invention or culture constructs, which has been full of interactions among Mongolian cultural traditions and other non-Mongolian ones. The interactions are not simply represented by the adoption of different cultural traditions. Interpretations defining the symbolic meanings of the mausoleum by different groups of people, and the possible negotiations among different cultural sources are also involved in the process, from which different groups of people can make use of the symbols through manipulation or even re-invention. The presentation of the past and the present of us and others, approached in different ways and in different sociocultural contexts, particularly by scholars, can differ greatly in representing interests and cultural traditions of people. And this could lead to many possible consequences for the culture politics. Thus, a reflexive, and sometimes tolerant, approach should be adopted in the study of culture and history for a better understanding of our fellow human beings. |
