What Hygiene Was Like In A Mongol Horde

Summary

The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, was renowned for its vastness but had rudimentary hygiene practices. Gout was common, treated with bizarre methods like sticking feet in dead horses. Mongols had unique hair care and washing rituals, revered water, and had strict laws against polluting it. They wore clothes until they wore out, used fire for cleansing, and had peculiar beliefs about choking and food preparation. Despite a lack of understanding of germ theory, they recognized contamination and had strict measures against it.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The Mongol Empire, founded by Genghis Khan in 1206, was the largest contiguous land empire in history, spanning across Asia, into Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.
• 🚿 Despite their vast empire, the Mongols had rudimentary hygiene practices by modern standards, with cleanliness not being a priority.
• 🦶 Gout was a common ailment among Mongols, caused by excessive eating and drinking, and treatment methods were unusual, such as sticking feet in a dead horse's chest.
• 💇‍♂️ Mongol men shaved parts of their heads and women shaved the front of their heads upon marrying, reflecting their cultural practices.
• 💧 The Mongols had a unique way of washing hands and heads by filling their mouths with water and letting it trickle onto their hands and hair to avoid offending the sacred water.
• 🏹 Arrow wounds were common among the Mongols due to their archery skills, and they had traditional methods of treating such injuries.
• 🔥 Fire played a significant role in Mongol cleansing practices, seen as an intermediary between heaven and Earth that could purify.
• 👕 Mongols rarely washed their clothes, believing it would anger God and cause thunder, instead letting animal fat on their garments provide protection from the elements.
• 🚫 The Mongols had strict rules against polluting water sources, with severe punishments for those who urinated in flowing water or dwellings.
• 🍖 Mongols ate a variety of meats, typically boiling them to preserve spiritual properties, and had specific practices around food consumption to prevent poisoning.

Q & A

Who founded the Mongol Empire and in what year?

The Mongol Empire was founded by Genghis Khan in 1206.

What geographical areas did the Mongol Empire cover at its peak?

At its peak, the Mongol Empire spanned across Asia, extended into Eastern Europe, and reached into the Middle East.

What was the Mongol Empire's stance on cleanliness?

The Mongol Empire was known for its rudimentary hygiene practices, as cleanliness by modern standards wasn't a priority for them.

What health condition was common among Mongols due to their lifestyle?

Gout, caused by excessive eating and drinking, was very common among Mongols.

What unusual treatment was advised for gout in the Mongol Empire?

Mongols were advised to stick their feet in the chest of a dead horse to treat gout.

How did Mongols wash their hands or head according to Willem van Rubruck?

Mongols would fill their mouths with water, let it trickle onto their hands, and use it to wet and wash their hair.

Why did Mongols avoid washing clothes in running water?

Mongols considered water sacred and believed that washing clothes in running water would anger God and cause thunder.

What was the Mongol Empire's view on personal grooming and hair care?

Mongol men shaved sections of their heads, while women shaved the front of their heads upon marrying and grew the rest long.

How did the Mongols treat arrow wounds, as mentioned in 'The Secret History of the Mongols'?

When Genghis Khan suffered a neck laceration, his retainer Zelma sucked out the blood to stop the bleeding.

What was the Mongol Empire's perspective on the use of fire for cleansing?

The Mongols considered fire an intermediary between heaven and Earth that could cleanse all things of harmful elements.

What was the Mongol Empire's approach to disease prevention and treatment?

Mongols associated illness with spiritual disorder and would isolate the sick to prevent the spread of evil spirits.

What was the Mongol Empire's dietary habits, especially in terms of meat consumption?

Mongols typically boiled meat to preserve its spiritual properties, but in desperation, they would eat uncooked meat and even resorted to cannibalism when no other food was available.