Hunnu Empire-2220th Anniversary of the Xiongnu Empire Huns-Mongolia
Set of 6 stamps.
1. The Hunnu Empire-2220 (One stamp)
Country Mongolia, Issuer Mongolia, Period -, Calendar Gregorian, Issue period 2011, Face Value 5,000 ₮,
Currency Mongolian tögrög, Series 2220th Anniversary of the Xiongnu Empire ("Huns"), Colors Multicolor,
Format Souvenir Sheet, Perforation comb 12¾, Techinique offset lithography, Theme Emperors.
Technical information
Item type Stamp, Subtype Commemorative
Material
Weight -, Width 184 mm, Height 98 mm.
Emissions 2011
Calendar Gregorian, First emission 07/25/2011, Last emission 2011.
Comments stamp of souvenir sheet.
2. Findings of Hunnu (Five stamps)Country Mongolia, Issuer Mongolia Period -, Calendar Gregorian, Issue period 2011, Face Value 1,000 ₮,
Currency Mongolian tögrög, Series 2220th Anniversary of the Xiongnu Empire ("Huns"), Format Stamp,
Theme Archaeology, Technical information, Item type Stamp, Subtype Commemorative.
Material
Weight -, Width 27.5 mm, Height 32.5 mm.
Emissions 2011
Calendar Gregorian, First emission 07/25/201, Last emission 2011
Comments stamp of souvenir sheet
This article focuses on the current craze for the Hünnü era (Xiongnu, 3rd century BC–2nd century AD) in present-day Mongolia, especially on the occasion of the great commemorations of the “2220th anniversary of the founding of the first empire of the steppes” in 2011. The Mongols claim the Hünnü as their ancestors and translate “Hünnü” by “Hun” in European languages: like the Mongols of Genghis Khan, they (their supposed descendants) are believed to have invaded Europe. From all perspectives, the Hünnü empire appears as the precursor of the Genghis Khan empire: in addition to the invention of the empire, a large number of artefacts of material culture that were previously attributed to Genghis Khan (such as bow, saddle, yurt, cattle brands, and clothing), as well as the civil and military institutions, the Naadam games, the code of law, the “military democracy,” shamanism, and the worship of heaven, are now said to date back to the Hünnü.
The Xiongnu (Chinese: 匈奴; pinyin: Xiōngnú, [ɕjʊ́ŋ.nǔ]) were a tribal confederation of nomadic peoples who, according to ancient Chinese sources, inhabited the eastern Eurasian Steppe from the 3rd century BC to the late 1st century AD. Modu Chanyu, the supreme leader after 209 BC, founded the Xiongnu Empire.
After overthrowing their previous overlords, the Yuezhi, the Xiongnu became the dominant power on the steppes of East Asia, centred on the Mongolian Plateau. The Xiongnu were also active in areas now part of Siberia, Inner Mongolia, Gansu and Xinjiang. Their relations with adjacent Chinese dynasties to the south-east were complex—alternating between various periods of peace, war, and subjugation. Ultimately, the Xiongnu were defeated by the Han dynasty in a centuries-long conflict, which led to the confederation splitting in two, and forcible resettlement of large numbers of Xiongnu within Han borders. During the Sixteen Kingdoms era, as one of the "Five Barbarians", they founded several dynastic states in northern China, such as the Former Zhao and Hu Xia.
Attempts to identify the Xiongnu with the nearby Scythians and Sarmatians were once controversial, however archaeogenetics has confirmed their interaction with the Xiongnu, and also their relation to the Huns. The identity of the ethnic core of Xiongnu has been a subject of varied hypotheses, because only a few words, mainly titles and personal names, were preserved in the Chinese sources. The name Xiongnu may be cognate with that of the Huns and/or the Huna, although this is disputed. Other linguistic links—all of them also controversial—proposed by scholars include Turkic, Iranian, Mongolic, Uralic, Yeniseian, or multi-ethnic.
Name
The Chinese name for the Xiongnu is a pejorative term in itself, as the characters (匈奴) have the meaning of "fierce slave". The pronunciation of 匈奴 as Xiōngnú [ɕjʊ́ŋnǔ] is the modern Mandarin Chinese pronunciation, from the Mandarin dialect spoken now in Beijing, which came into existence less than 1,000 years ago. The Old Chinese pronunciation has been reconstructed as *xiuoŋ-na or *qhoŋna. Sinologist Axel Schuessler (2014) reconstructs the pronunciations of 匈奴 as *hoŋ-nâ in Late Old Chinese (c. 318 BCE) and as *hɨoŋ-nɑ in Eastern Han Chinese; citing other Chinese transcriptions wherein the velar nasal medial -ŋ-, after a short vowel, seemingly played the role of a general nasal – sometimes equivalent to n or m –, Schuessler proposes that 匈奴 Xiongnu < *hɨoŋ-nɑ < *hoŋ-nâ might be a Chinese rendition, Han or even pre-Han, of foreign *Hŏna or *Hŭna, which Schuessler compares to Huns and Sanskrit Hūṇā. However, the same medial -ŋ- prompts Christopher P. Atwood (2015) to reconstruct *Xoŋai, which he derives from the Ongi River (Mongolian: Онги гол) in Mongolia and suggests that it was originally a dynastic name rather than an ethnic name.
Address by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCOon the occasion of the Opening Ceremonyof the Scientific Conference on “History and Culture of Hunnu Empire”SymposiumMongolia, Ulan Bator, 10 July 2011His Excellency Mr Tsahiagiin Elbegdorj, President of Mongolia, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great pleasure to be here.This is my first official visit to Mongolia as Director-General of UNESCO.I am very pleased this visit coincides with the 2220th Anniversary of the Hunnu, as well as with the 805th Anniversary of the Great Mongolian State and the 90thAnniversary of the Mongolian People's Revolution.It would seem there is a strong kind of alignment of the stars for us to celebrate the history of Mongolia!The Hunnu history and culture was splendid and richly ordained as many archeological artifacts and findings continue to prove. The Hunnu is one of those rare civilizations who left a vivid stamp in human history. It is the first Statehood of Central Asian Nomads that wielded its military and political power over many nations who inherit the Hunnu traditions of statecraft. Mongolians are rightful inheritors and direct descendants of the Hunnu legacy. And it is our duty to preserve and cherish that legacy.
We are witnessing today a rising interest for Mongolian archaeology and ancient history. UNESCO’s International Research Institute of Nomadic Civilization in Ulaanbaatar has affirmed its position as a major actor of this movement, and an important scientific institution of Central Asian Nomadic History and Culture.This symposium provides further evidence of such historical renewal. If you allow, I would like to express a personal wish. I would like this symposium to show how the Hunnu civilization fostered the transferof knowledge and ideas across the region. The mighty Hunnu Empire was born at the heart of Asia, but it has establishedinternational network of routes between Asia and Europe, and therefore contributed hugely in the exchange and flow of new ideas and technology between the people and nations of two continents.I would like this symposium to highlight the multiple linkages they wove throughoutthe region, and far beyond. This is of great scientific interest. It is also, I believe, of great political interest. Managing cultural diversity is one the greatest challenges we face in a rapidlyglobalizing world. For this, it is vital we explore all past and present encounters between cultures and civilizations.This will allow us to discover sometimes a common history between different peoples and cultures. Such discoveries matter greatly –- they help us to put the present into the right perspective.Understanding such historical encounters and exchanges can also help us to strikethe right balance between tradition and modernity.
This is the same balance I believe we see in the poetic work of the great Mongolian author Galsan Tschinag. We have so much to learn from Mongolia’s unique history, for tackling such challenging issues as cultural diversity and sustainable development. Genghis Khan’s nation includes vibrant intangible expressions that are extraordinary contributions to the culture of humanity as a whole. Mongolia is an incredibly dynamic country, a young democracy with strong traditions. I am convinced its history, heritage and experience are relevant for countries across the world today. Thank you for your attention, I wish you a very fruitful Symposium.