Source: CCTV.com

08-09-2007 17:20

Mongolians regard themselves as the descendants of Genghis Khan, the great chief who rose and united Mongolian tribes. Worship of the ancestor has been passed down the ages. Now eight hundred years after his death, the great khan's mausoleum is still guarded by a special people, the Dalhuts.

Another day begins for the Dalhuts. Every morning, the special clan performs rituals to this statue of Genghis Khan. Such communication between the descendants and their ancestor has been going on for eight centuries.

The Dalhuts were once Genghis Khan's trusted garrison army. Five hundred nomadic families of the clan were then chosen to stand guard at the warrior's mausoleum. The name Dalhut means guard of the sacred mausoleum in Mongolian.

Bi Lige, the eldest son of a thirty eighth generation tomb keeper, began learning the rituals from his father eighteen years ago. He has now fully inherited his duties.

"Nowadays people have many choices. But for us Dalhuts, we must follow the ancestor's will. I'm the eldest son, I can't give up our tradition. I'm the only one in my generation who can sing the twelve holy songs. The songs must be sung. I will pass the skill on to my son," says Bilige, 39th generation tomb keeper.