Mongolia’s “Spring Syndrome”
A recent article from asiangypsy.net, a great source for Mongolian political and current event news. This posting is about Mongolia’s “Spring Syndrome,” which takes place during the transition period between winter and spring.
Yes, it is that time of the year folks. Westerners are affected by full moon. I have witnessed Western housemates in England turn into screaming lunatics with wild eyes.
However, Mongols are affected by spring season. At this time macro politics reach its boiling point and hysteria on various subjects arise. Mentally unstable people can no longer hide their afflictions and manifestations affect them and those around them. Most of the “normal” people become fatigued, lazy and unmotivated at this time of the year.
The main theme of this spring’s syndrome is the union of civil movements and opening of the branches in many aimags and sums. They are demanding the 1.5 million togrogs promised by Mongolian People’s Revolutionary Party (communists in disguise) and 1 million togrogs promised by Democratic Party and will organize a big rally on Monday, 5th April, 2010. Some fear it may be the repeat of 1st of July riots of 2008. Some monks will actually pray and chant to keep the demonstrators calm and orderly. However leaders of this rally made a blood oath today, to keep struggling until the objectives are reached. It involved pricking their fingertips with syringe needle, signing the demand, leaving bloody finger print and paying respect to the national flag.
Another cause for worry is an increasing talk about an imminent deadly earthquake. Since the turn of the year there were 270 tremors and earthquakes recorded in various parts of Mongolia. Today the department of emergency, police and army held earthquake simulation training. Epicentre of the earthquake is a small settlement called Emeelt which trades in livestock raw material, situated around 20 kilometres west of Ulaanbaatar. Witnesses say that the earlier tremors caused the earth split. It is estimated that Emeelt will be hit with magnitude 10 and Ulaanbaatar will be hit by magnitude 8-9 earthquake. More will follow on this particular topic.
These news items may be worse case scenarios but the civil movements have been uniting and have already staged one peaceful protest. The upcoming April 5 protest is expected to be a bit stronger.
And there have been a lot of tremors and minor earthquakes around Mongolia the past years, however I too was shocked that there have been 270 since the start of the new year. Something may very well be going on under the surface… Pray, cause Ulaanbaatar is one of those cities that if a large earthquake hits a lot of the buildings could simply be leveled.
