Odmandah
Basic information
Interviewee ID: 990907
Name: Odmandah
Parent's name: [blank]
Ovog: [blank]
Sex: f
Year of Birth: 1980
Ethnicity: [unknown]
Additional Information
Education: [unknown]
Notes on education:
Work:
Belief:
Born in: sum, aimag
Lives in: sum (or part of UB), Ulaanbaatar aimag
Mother's profession:
Father's profession:
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Translation:
Byamabajav -
Well, I thank you very much for accepting my
invitation and giving the interview. Before starting the
interview there is one point to seek your views and advice..
Odmandah -
Aan ha.
Byamabajav -
Firstly, all information contained in your present
interview will be used by historians and scholars as
research material after a few years, after several hundred
years. Secondly, it will be used by various means of public
media TV and radio, newspapers and journals, It may be even
released in a book format. Hope that you would give the
permission to do so?
Odmandah -
I agree.
Byamabajav -
Well, thank you. Aan, there is one more question. If wish so you can keep your name in secret.
Odmandah -
Well.
Byamabajav -
If you wish, you can say your name so that it will be kept in history.
Odmandah -
Well, I don’t mind giving my name.
Byamabajav -
Good, good, thank you very much, so your name is?
Odmandah -
I am called Odmandah.
Byamabajav -
So shall we start the interview about your childhood,
then your about family, and your mother and father?
Odmandah -
Mnh, I was born in 1980, on June 1, of 80. Then I
went to and was brought up in kindergarten. Well, I was a
child with very bad temperament, terribly bad character.
Byamabajav -
Are you better now?
Odmandah -
Now, bet…even now there is no change, normally I am
rather bad tempered. Mother earlier told, I told you that
you were such, it is true I was such a child with bad
temper. My father was a doctor. Father passed away when I
was still young. He made me to learn by heart a lot of
Russian words, because he was a doctor, at that time I
learned by heart many things in Russian language. He
insisted that I learn by heart many words. At least he
insisted that I should learn by heart the words beginning
with the letters in my name Odmandah, I never learned those
words and escaped to meet my father. Yeah. As for my mother,
she was working in the District Office and came back in the
evening. I used to wait for my mother listening to the
Ulaanba, evening broadcast from Moscow. That was so. In10
year school I was a modest kid, it was more o less like
that.
Byamabajav -
Brought up in kindergarten?
Odmandah -
Yes, in kindergarten.
Byamabajav -
Your mother told that you were short-tempered, when
she barely finished combing your hair you messed it up.
Odmandah -
(Laughs) Yes, I was never pleased, it was combed
carelessly so I got angry and disarranged it and combed
myself before leaving. Then mother took out and left me, I,
on my own, went to the kindergarten, it was very near to our
house, this way, I was, apparently, rather innocent child. I
don not remember much about my childhood years.
Byamabajav -
Really?
Odmandah -
Yes, it is like this.
Byamabajav -
Please recall your kindergarten years. There is always an unforgettable moment.
Odmandah -
No, I don’t remember anything outstanding.
Byamabajav -
In 10 year school?
Odmandah -
In 10 year school, No, I was one of those who just
drift along, therefore, there is nothing that I remember
well or I did that or this. At the given period since I was
doing what was required, and there is nothing special, yeah…
that is it.
Byamabajav -
In general, life of your childhood years, in other
words during the socialist period in 80’s, in 87, if you
compare that period with the present market economy, what do
you think?
Odmandah -
When we were still small, this happened and that very
coupon system was introduced, yeah? Everything was given by
the coupon, every morning we went to get bread. It was far
from here to come to the Bakery (Bread factory). Then you
were almost crushed in the long line of queue and returned
with three pieces of bread. Mother would cut them into
slices and gave to us. Yes, it was a difficult time, isn’t
it?
Byamabajav -
It was not easy.
Odmandah -
Yeah, it was like that. Now, it is awfully nice,
yeah. 10 year school children, specially, seniors in 10 year
school, among them there is no child without a mobile phone,
almost all of them have mobile phones. That is it. But,
also, children who earnestly study have become rare, those
who study real hard. In the past, in our time, it was
incredible because that what you got with difficulty tasted
wonderful when we shared and ate, now when you eat something
it is sometime frightening. It is different, isn’t it? At
that time when we bought and ate apples, when it was brought
in, the scent of the apples filled the room, the fragrance
of apples.
Byamabajav -
It is true.
Odmandah -
Now, may be they are of inferior quality, yeah?
Byamabajav -
Everything has lost its quality.
Odmandah -
Yes, may be because of the abundance, and we now care less about it?
Byamabajav -
Chewing gum was an item extremely rare.
Odmandah -
Yes, in coupon [ration card - check, CK] there was a chewing gum of black
colour, a bubble gum of black colour, when blown it made a
big ball. We were happy if we could chew that gum. Yeah. I
also…. my father was a chairman in Batsumber state farm, in
welfare centre. He was there 1-2 years and I spent my summer
holiday with my father. Yeah, so...
Byamabajav -
What did you do on holiday, how did you spend it?
Odmandah -
Since I was young spent the time playing. My father
had serious cramp of legs, when tired he had muscle spasm.
So when he called me Oogii, I got up and massaged his legs.
Yeah. That is it. What else…
Byamabajav -
Your mother told that on week ends you strolled in the Park. Do you have any memories of that?
Odmandah -
Well, on the eve of the June 1, all the clothes were
washed, we wore white panty hose and went (to the Park).
Sometimes the clothes would be still wet, so we had a lot of
hustle and bustle. (0-07-44) Then my mother brought me to
the Park and let me play for the whole day. There was
Jargalan Café to the south side of our apartment, a very
beautiful ice cream was sold there. I was happy in
expectation to eat that (ice cream). That is it, what else.
Byamabajav -
From your friends of 10 year school is there any one with whom you until now are good friends?
Odmandah -
Of those in 10 year school ? There is one. But she is
studying in the South. Right now we don’t have much
contacts. She is studying in south medicine. There is one
such friend, there is no words from her lately.
Byamabajav -
What are you doing now?
Odmandah -
Now I am serving as an accountant in Medical University, in Financial department.
Byamabajav -
From which year did you start?
Odmandah -
From 2000... and 4, from [200]4, exactly 2 yeas have passed.
Byamabajav -
If you will speak about your job?
Odmandah -
My job?
Byamabajav -
What was your first impression? Was it difficult to get that job?
Odmandah -
Getting the job was not that very difficult... was not difficult. Or may be?
Byamabajav -
Wasn’t it difficult?
Odmandah -
No, not difficult, yeah. Actually, when you are
enlisted for the first time to work, it is hard for you. You
encounter a lot of unknown things. We have 5, 6 accountants,
yes. Then when I attended 10 year school I did not often
venture out , our home was near to the school, came back did
my home work lessons and next morning left for school. And
when for the first time you go looking for job and visit
various organizations I had an uneasy feeling. Those people,
the bosses are intimidating and they speak with you as your
superior, that was terrifying and I thought it was
difficult. When I went along the corridors, it was very
interesting. It was awfully huge and somewhat terrifying but
now I have been there for 2 years.
Byamabajav -
In particular, finance is a difficult job.
Odmandah -
Yes, at the beginning I did not know the simplest
thing, now it is much better. Now, I even act almost as a
mentor, I teach the new comers, yes, I do. Yes, that is
it.
Byamabajav -
Since your mother was a very busy person, as the youngest daughter did you miss a lot your mother?
Odmandah -
My mother? Of course, I did.
Byamabajav -
That was in 80’s and it was the prime years of socialism.
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
Did you miss your mother a lot and cry?
Odmandah -
Mother did that, when there was no one to look after
me she usually left me with our neighbours in the southern
side.
Byamabajav -
together?
Odmandah -
Yes. There was a grandma in that family. There was
also her niece. So I spent hours playing with her. So I was
expecting the Russian radio broadcast and waiting when my
mother would come back. Any way, I was an obedient child.
Probably, my brothers and the sister was doing the same
thing. Such an obedient child, no matter what happened I
remained there.
Byamabajav -
Did your mother bring nice candies when she came back fro her job?
Odmandah -
Of course, I always looked into her bag.
Byamabajav -
At that time there was nice candy called Banka. .
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
With beautiful paper wrappings.
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
I am a from country side so I don’t know well. In the city, probably, there were plenty of nice, nice things.
Odmandah -
Now, I remember that apples vividly. Apples, jujube and the like were available.
Byamabajav -
During the Children’s holiday, even the children in
the country side received big presents. There were many
wonderful things in the present, as now I
recall….
Odmandah -
Yes. Old Man Winter [in effect, Santa Claus] used to
visit us at our home. Yes, Old Man Winter from mother’s office
would come and give presents to my elder brother and me. If
mother was at work, two of us decorated the Yolk [the
New Year's tree, like a Christmas tree). We have an old photo, where the tree was
tilted to the side as if it was falling down. Two of us
stood with the presents in our hands, a photo taken together
with the old man of the winter Yeah.
Byamabajav -
In 10 year [school] when you received (A) marks in
the second quarter you received special prizes from Old Man
Winter.
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
Did you receive them?
Odmandah -
No, I did not receive that many presents. I was
earning mostly good (B) marks and did not receive the
present. My handwriting was dreadful so I did not receive
that many presents. But my father and mother sometimes
brought us to that. That very Palace (for new year
celebration). In that Palace we received present. Do you
remember that there was such a special event.
Byamabajav -
Your father and mother were both at managerial posts
and were good officers you, understandably, received plenty
of beautiful presents. (0-13-36)
Odmandah -
Yes. We did receive from time to time. Father used to
travel to Russia on assignments and brought back terribly
big present, large apples, that filled my palm. He brought
apples, extremely tasty and very red in colour and it was
distributed among us.
Byamabajav -
Did he go frequently?
Odmandah -
Aan?
Byamabajav -
Did he, generally, go frequently?
Odmandah -
Generally, he did travel a lot, traveled to Irkuu
(Irkutsk) and Ulan Ude. And on Saturday and Sunday together
with my father we visited out Grand mother. It was difficult
at that time, my mother’s younger brother was living with
her. She had a stroke, did my mother tell you?
Byamabajav -
She said
Odmandah -
He was working in what was it, may be the Meat
factory. He was working there. Yes. Then at that time food
products were terribly scarce, but that family had a lot of
tasty foods. So three of us, including my mother would go in
evening to eat nice food over there. Then we went out,
father had plenty of acquaintances, going out he would greet
someone and stood talking.
Byamabajav -
He would not go.
Odmandah -
Yes. After a few steps he would meet another
acquaintance and stand talking with him. And we also
gathered at Grandma’s home to make the booz (meat dumplings)
of the Tsagaan sar (Lunar new year) and made the boozes over
there. We also steamed and ate nice booz. It was awfully hot
in the ger. So they made booz for the whole night. Living
together with Grandma was a wonderful time. Yeas. Now when
you go out there is no such an ail (household)to visit after
the death of my Grandma. Yeas, it was wonderful. There I
played basketball with children who lived in the same
street. It was fantastic. I was highly admired as child from
the city, (Laughed) A girl from the city, who had beautiful
white face.
Byamabajav -
(Laughs)
Odmandah -
So we played basketball until exhaustion. I hated to
loose. So in order not to loose I pressed myself very hard
at times even scratching others. My boy friend and me
attended kindergarten together.
Byamabajav -
Oh, yes.
Odmandah -
But I don’t remember it very well. Actually. I don’t
remember anything about the kindergarten. I had a colourful
garment and belt. Once I had dropped the belt. He picked it
up and gave to me when I came the next morning. But they say
I slapped him in his face saying what a thief he
was.(Laughed) Now he recalls it often, my boy friend. I
attended also the 10 year school together with my boy
friend. After 10 year school, we became students and were
separated and went to different institutes. Yeah, but now we
are together.
Byamabajav -
You are a couple who met each other at a tender age. (Laughs)
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
Does he remember that with complaint? That he was slapped.
Odmandah -
She was ... an awfully bad tempered girl, she was bad
tempered since childhood he says. She slapped me in face
when I found what she lost and gave it to her, he says
often.
Byamabajav -
Did he say that you had not changed until now?
Odmandah -
Yes. She was so bad tempered since young age he says.
Byamabajav -
I think in 80’s only people in the countryside celebrated Tsagaan sar as the new year, didn’t they?
Odmandah -
I was told so.
Byamabajav -
The new year was celebrated during the New Year. People from the country side ...
Odmandah -
During New Year?
Byamabajav -
Yeah.
Odmandah -
Mmm.
Byamabajav -
Don’t you remember?
Odmandah -
I don’t know that well ...
Byamabajav -
Actually, what celebration is the Tsgaan sar? What kind of celebration is it for you?
Odmandah -
Tsagaan sar?, as far I am concerned, lately, it has
become an awfully meaningless affair. It creates huge
problem. In my view people do their best to prepare presents
thus it creates a lot of difficulties. However, it happens
once a year and people don’t mind it. It is the only
occasion when all the relatives meet. On other occasions
they almost don’t recognize each other, particularly the
youngsters, yeah?
Byamabajav -
Almost forget, yeah.
Odmandah -
Even they meet they don’t greet each other with such
respect. Then Tsgaan sar also bring together relatives
living far apart. That is the good thing. However, financial
aspect of it is a problem, yeah? I think it creates
difficulties.
Byamabajav -
Odmandah -
It is a real problem for some, for many. They save
their salaries for two, three months in order to observe the
Tsagaan sar, aren’t they now?
Byamabajav -
There are instances when the salaries of two, three months are not sufficient to cover the expense.
Odmandah -
Yes, yes. They buy something extra to express their
gratitude to their relatives who help them. This has become
a custom. (0-12-47)
Byamabajav -
Then for me one aspect that is to my liking is in the
city it is possible that young families do not observe the
Tsagaan sar.
Odmandah -
It is possible.
Byamabajav -
Yes.
Odmandah -
Generally, it is not observed. Their father and mothers celebrate and the youth visit their relatives ...
Byamabajav -
It is not the practice in the countryside.
Odmandah -
You have to observe it?
Byamabajav -
Even if you are just married in this year...
Odmandah -
Mmm. Hn.
Byamabajav -
By all means ...
Odmandah -
Because you are married? In the city, there is no such practice at all.
Byamabajav -
They don’t observe.
Odmandah -
Yeah. You come to your mother and father for the
celebration, afterwards you visit your relatives. However,
aan ... you may treat them to tea and foods, that is fine.
In that sense it is possible.
Byamabajav -
Do you have any memories of your student days?
Odmandah -
Of student days?
Byamabajav -
That is really the most vigorous time.
Odmandah -
I was studying in a private school. Yeah. And I would
not say that our group was such a nice one. The group of my
friend was wonderful one, they meet until now. The students
of our group haven’t met since graduation. I graduated in
2002 but we haven’t met once until today. Only a few of us,
friends meet, it was not a very nice group. But…student days
are, obviously, the most memorable period, you’d have a lot
to remember and talk about. As for our group there is no
such thing, which is regretful. Yeah. I graduated in 2002
and in 2002 entered the MA course. I enrolled in MA of the
economics institute of the University and graduated from
there in 2004. Immediately. after that I started to work.
Byamabajav -
What do think about the MA training of the University?
Odmandah -
Mmm. MA course was an improvisation, created simply
for granting the MA title, a training for that purpose only.
The training was not adequate, they did not teach any
additional subjects. Now, we expected them to give us more
knowledge on financial records and accounting, we did not
study reasonably good or interesting subjects. Then we had
evening classes, in general, the course did not provide
adequate training. I, definitely, did not acquire any
additional knowledge at all. We were told to choose a theme
for Diploma work. Each of us had a mentor to guide us, and
we worked on that subject under his guidance for a while
until we graduated from the course. MA courses are not that
good. I don’t know about MA courses of other institutes. I
did not like the training on economics of the Mongolian
national university. It id not give us a decent training…and
knowledge. Then we had to study a lot of strange economic
theories, I don’t know whether we need them or not they were
useless. The training was rather peculiar, I did not like
it.
Byamabajav -
How many subjects were taught?
Odmandah -
Mmm.
Byamabajav -
In MA training
Odmandah -
In MA? Well, now apparently, something around 10 different subjects..
Byamabajav -
Do remember them?
Odmandah -
Yes. About 10 subjects, economy, what…. Advanced
level of accounting, and then English. Theories of
economics, what else… auditing, and finance. And what else
did we study? Well, the rest I don’t remember well. The most
useful ones were those. Oh, yeas, we studied insurance. That
is it.
Byamabajav -
Were you anxious during the presentation of your dissertation?
Odmandah -
I was certainly afraid during the presentation. Shall
I be able to defend what I had written or not was the
thought. But I made it without much problem. I was working
and it was easy for me to type the Diploma work and typed 10
papers easily at my work. It was the advantage of being an
office worker, I printed out my materials. The graphs and
illustration were prepared in this manner. So on this aspect
I had no difficulty.(0-25-01)
Byamabajav -
Now will you tell me about your job you now do?
Odmandah -
About my job. As soon as I got the job I became the
accountant authorized to put the second signature (second
endorsement). My school has 6 faculties. I make the
accounting of (инжэн сургууль, инжэн сургааль-I think it is
“emchiin” –doctor’s) the Doctors faculty, and the accounting
of materials, made the accounting of spent materials. So
when you have to make the second endorsement this means that
you have an added responsibility. Recently, should I say
that I have been promoted. Now I am also responsible for
Faculty of Dentists. Yeah. Generally speaking my job fine.
When I had to work with the students, my elder colleagues
say it is impossible to distinguish me from the students.
They say that when I am not looking at them it is impossible
to distinguish me among from the students. At the beginning
it was hard to me to work with students, they did not take
seriously what I said, I was speaking to them as one of them
on equal footing. Now things are slightly better(different)
in working with students. Slightly….
Byamabajav -
Learned how to address ...
Odmandah -
Yes ... should I say that I adopted a bit
administrative type of attitude. That is it. As for my job,
I produce monthly statements and report. Then I produce
quarterly (financial) statement.
Byamabajav -
When you now recall back were there any instances
when you were scolded by your father or else praised by your
father? If you were scolded or praised then are there
moments now when you think I must have done this or that at
that time?
Odmandah -
My father ... father though coddled me, did not
really praised me a lot. He rarely saw me doing my lessons.
He pressed me to learn by heart as many words as possible
and scolded me for not doing it. Now I regret very much why
did I not learned those words by heart. I think that if I
learned those words by heart who knows by now I could have
become a doctor. I like very much the profession of a
doctor. Doctor is a wonderful profession. Sometimes, I even
think of studying again. Yeas, I should have learned those
words by heart. I also think that if my father was alive,
who knows, I might have been enrolled in Medical institute.
That is my great regret. Now if I were to study (medicine)
anew, it will take now 6 years in medical institute, at
least. Yeah.
Byamabajav -
You respect highly your father’s profession, aren’t you?
Odmandah -
Yes. Now there is a name sake of my father, this
Doctor Goosh… have you heard about him? (0-28-36) He is also
a man of my father’s generation. So when I say Gosshiin
Odmandah, people say, hey, are you daughter of Doctor Goosh.
I tell some of them yes, I am, to some no, I am not. Then,
it is interesting that almost all the people know my father.
When told he was working there, they would say oh, the poor
man and express sorrow. That is why, I think that my father
was a truly good man. I also…
Byamabajav -
Was it very difficult when your father died?
Odmandah -
Aan, of course, It was very difficult.
Byamabajav -
Was it like the mountain falling down?
Odmandah -
Yes. My father was … ours is three room apartment.
Father’s corpse was kept in the larger room until the
burial. The corpse was put…in the coffin. Therefore, it was
very difficult… and to keep it longer large amount of
perfume … and other incense were sprayed and sprinkled. And
until now that odor is unpleasant to me.
Byamabajav -
Your mother told me. This ... your sister Narmandakh gave her first birth with complications.
Odmandah -
The first one.
Byamabajav -
Her second birth was less painful. Generally, what do
you think about your sister Narmandakh, what is your
impression?
Odmandah -
Mmm, how about the sister? Aan, when she was about to
give the second child the following happened. My
brother-in-law said pregnant woman gives birth without
complication if bear fat was applied (to abdomen). And send
me to bring it from her sister’s home. I came to the fence
and knocked the fence, knocked at the door but no one
appeared. So I entered the fence then two dogs came running
towards me and it happened that I was bitten by the dogs.
After that my sister had a less painful birth. So my sister
says that I took the pain on her behalf.
Byamabajav -
It may well be.
Odmandah -
Yes. I ran myself (into the fence), it is funny what pushed me. And was bitten by two dogs
Byamabajav -
And didn’t cause a lot of pain?
Odmandah -
Tolerable. Yeas. So my sister and me, since I was in
the 7th grade of 10 year school, with my sister we were
engaged in commercial activities at the (flea) market. My
sister was pregnant, she had an awfully big tummy. Even so
she was carrying on her tummy over one hundred forty soaps,
one box contained over one hundred forty pieces of soaps, at
that time her home was in the ger district. So we climbed
the hill, in the cold carrying that box of soap to the open
market. In those days the market, the goods market, was at
the Denjiin Myanga (the Hill of thousand households). We
arrived there and sold the stuff. There was no pavilion as
today, you had to find a place. So sellers found each a
place to stand, then we sold our product sometimes we were
driven out from the place. At times my sister had to leave
me and I would stand alone, if the soap was not bought,
hoping they would be sold out soon. Because if I could not
sell them I had to carry them back, but it was too heavy for
me carry, thus we experienced quite a bit if
difficulties.
Byamabajav -
It was difficult at that time.
Odmandah -
Yes. Yes. Dalamal company for the first time imported
those products of cosmetics. We received products… from the
company. My elder sister works extremely hard and with
determination to make a living, that was probably evident
from what she told. Yeah. Two of us were engaged in commerce
from very young age. Then we made pastries at home, counted
them and I took them to the front of the shop and sold
there. Hence I was a student of 10 year school I was
terribly ashamed if I saw children from our class, at that
time children shied from trading. I was exactly in the same
position. So whenever I saw children from my class turned my
face away, I felt awful shame. Certainly, I was afraid that
they would call me a trader at the market and was awfully
ashamed. Now this is not such an embarrassment, yeah? Hence,
now he who is in commerce and making benefit, he lives
better than the others.
Byamabajav -
They are doing better.
Odmandah -
Yeah. Even what they wear or use are of better quality, yeah.
Byamabajav -
So at that time a certain socialist mentality was still alive and well.
Odmandah -
Mmm Hn.
Byamabajav -
At that time when you were in trade for the first time, but now no one will care ....
Odmandah -
Now, there is nothing to be ashamed of, yeah.
Byamabajav -
That is a common phenomena.
Odmandah -
Yes.
Byamabajav -
Mentality of the society is changing very rapidly, yes?
Odmandah -
Mmm Hn.
Byamabajav -
Who is your best friend in your family ...
Odmandah -
Mmm hn.
Byamabajav -
Who is your closest friend in your family?
Odmandah -
Mmm. Mother, my mother. Now I tell everything that
happened at my job to my mother. Just after I come in … I
can’t keep anything to myself, come and tell them all. It
did this or it happened etc. Just as some girls would
talk…with their girl friends in her class. Some say that
while in 10 year school they never talked to their mother
much. But I do speak a lot. As soon as come
back…yes.
Byamabajav -
Then, there is something which only your mother would know, especially for girls ...
Odmandah -
Mmm hn
Byamabajav -
In coordinating your life, but not squander it ...
Odmandah -
You mean facilitate? It is possible, generally I
think that I’ll be a good wife, I have confidence in me that
I’ll be not bad, but quite a reasonable wife.
Byamabajav -
There are many good characters of a wife which one you mean?
Odmandah -
I think I will not be inferior than others in caring
for my husband and bringing up my children. (0-35-59) There
are some women, when my friends and me meet, friends from 10
year school, and looking at them I compare myself with them.
For example, what advantages I have over them and on that
basis I have complete confidence in myself.
Byamabajav -
Generally looking at your friends or those younger
than you as well students of the Medical university can you
see any distinction between those who really take care of
their husbands and who do not? Now among those married,
among married women?
Odmandah -
Those in medical university?
Byamabajav -
Yes. Simply when you compare them, among the students?
Odmandah -
I don’t know that well the students.
Byamabajav -
Or among your friends and women of the same generation?
Odmandah -
At present ... I did not quite understood.
Byamabajav -
Mmm, Generally, the women of today…
Odmandah -
Mmm... hnn....
Byamabajav -
What is their common understanding relating to the
issue of the respect of their husbands? Do they speak of
equality and the gender issue, what is their attitude
towards the traditional approach of respect and esteem of
man?
Odmandah -
Yes. Well, this has seized to be that much an issue
in today’s environment, (I mean) the issue of respect of
each other. Yeah. If you do this why don’t I do that is the
attitude. So our women started to drink awfully lot (of
vodka) and smoke cigarettes. And wives of my friends have
become, should I say awful showgirls or pretend to be like
them, they pretend that they don’t drink at all, or almost
don’t smile and now walks almost without a single friend.
This is the situation. A very modest person, who is unable
to do anything, including drinking vodka. I encounter a
similar problem as well. Recently, among our friends we had
a dispute. And this came up as an issue.
Byamabajav -
Exactly what was the topic? (0-38-30)
Odmandah -
Well, nothing particular, why should you not go along
with others as one of us, why couldn’t you drink and smoke
they told me. Now you should smoke etc. So in this manner
they were coercing one another. It is so. I don’t like,
frankly, the wives of my friends. They behave themselves in
a very crazy manner. And they drink when there is a child
besides them. Yeah. Then the child was rolling in the bed
unable to sleep, the room was full of cigarette smoke.
But…wife and husband, father and mother were both drinking.
And I did not like it. When my MA group meet. now it is
really wonderful. We talk about our job, we now have such a
computer program, what program do you have and we discuss
the advantage of them etc. very interesting issues.
Evidently level of one’s education is very important, isn’t
it? They are, after all, graduates of the Technical
University. I think Technical University is very good
institute, it has many students and therefore, and in my
view the atmosphere over there is very free. Most of the
students are boys. In my opinion the graduates of such an
institute are somewhat different (from others).
Byamabajav -
Did your elder brother Munkhoo scold you very much? Tell me about your brother Munkhoo.
Odmandah -
Of course, I was scolded. Our Muugii, my brother
Muugii was very neat and clean. When he was attending the
technical school he also played music. He finished the
nearby school No.28. He used to sing playing on guitar and
had a small group. He had very clean habit and used to wear
very white suits or outfits of light pale colour. And he
scolded me very much that I hadn’t swept clean the home. I
was reproached quite bit because I did not swept the home
properly. At that time we used to sweep the floor by grass
broom so I was scolded a lot for raising dust and dirt. And
then brother played on guitar and I sang. We once made a
recording but now it had been lost. We both sang, recorded
the song on a tape-recorder. It was a wonderful time. Now on
the contrary from the scolded I turned into the scolder. Did
my brother tell you about his private ventures? He used to
drive passengers to the market on a mini-bus. He was a
driver of mini-bus. Not long ago… recently he stopped doing
it, he has, apparently, become fond of drinking, by and
large, that is what he has become.
Byamabajav -
It is too bad!
Odmandah -
Yeah.
Byamabajav -
Do you miss a lot your brother who is in Korea?
Odmandah -
My brother?
Byamabajav -
yeah.
Odmandah -
Of course I do. He calls sometimes and it is evident
that he misses his home very much. In the beginning it was
difficult but now it is better. I miss him very much I am
worried about him, how he is doing, what food he is eating
etc. When he was here he had no idea about the value of
money. So in the morning he used to ask mother to give him
bus fee, a hundred or two hundred tugrug, give him money to
buy cigarette, that is how he was here. Now judging by the
way he is talking on phone, mmm, apparently, he spends money
more economically and had changed his attitude to money.
Apparently, he is getting better. He had, really, no idea
about the value of money before.
Byamabajav -
Did he torment very much your mother?
Odmandah -
He was a tormentor of my mother. Actually, he had
become an alcoholic. He drank very much. Even now he
apparently drinks. However, I think he now drinks
moderately. I hope when comes back he will be a different
person. Who knows what will come.
Byamabajav -
There is little difference of age between two of you,
so is he the elder brother with whom you played a lot and
spent long hours together at home?
Odmandah -
There is a difference of 6 years in our ages, yeah, a
difference of 6 years. We did not play together very much.
But I did ask a lot for his help in doing my lessons, I
asked his help in Russian language lessons. A girl from my
brother’s class lived at the 2 floor of this house. When he
wanted to ask something from her and went to 2 floor he
usually took me with him, he was afraid to go alone, he was
such a fainthearted (child).
Byamabajav -
(laughs)
Odmandah -
And probably mother told you, once our family climbed
the Zaisan hill, he was there and was unable to descend
frightened from the height. They say it happened.
Byamabajav -
Aan, they had to cover his eyes to descend.
Odmandah -
Yes. His eyes were covered when they descended. He
is, apparently, very fainthearted. And recently, he left for
Korea, it was difficult for us. He has never been before so
far away from home. But, we thought let him open his eyes
and see (a foreign country).
Byamabajav -
You were operating a fast service point [a type of
street kiosk], yeah.
Odmandah -
Yes, together with my elder sister. As for me
compared to other children I entered the market economy very
early.
Byamabajav -
It is so, I heard about it.
Odmandah -
Yes. Very early when in 6 and 7th grade I started it.
Commercial activities at the market were just beginning. It
was our advantage that we started from that time. And I
think that so far we have succeeded this much has, probably,
some connection with what we did then.
Byamabajav -
It must be so.
Odmandah -
Yes. I think this had some bearing on us. The fast
service point(FSP) was situated just below our house. The
TUTS (Fast service point). So I did not really celebrate or
observe holidays, I spent my hours at the FSP. I would send
my sister home and remained in the FSP, spent night in it
selling the stuff. Early in the morning I opened and closed
FSP late in the night. Then after I started working things
became more or less better for. Otherwise, I was engaged in
trading at FSP and in grocery shop. We had a FSP and then my
brother-n-law and the sister opened a grocery shop. So I
worked for some time in that shop.
Byamabajav -
When you were in TÜTs [the kiosk] were you ashamed to see your future husband?
Odmandah -
Oh, of course, I was embarrassed. I looked through
small service window … and when I saw him would sit down and
hide myself, ashamed. I felt very ashamed. When I saw
children from our 10 year school I was ashamed. If there was
another person I would ask him to stand and took cover, that
was what I did. Yeah. My relatives also had a canteen.
Recently, just after graduation I also worked for a while in
the canteen in 2002 (0-47-03) after the graduation. During
the summer… before being enrolled in the MA course, then I
also felt ashamed to that work there thinking that I did not
graduate from the institute to do this kind of job in this
canteen. So with a sister who was a relative of ours and two
of us prepared the dish in the back room. We made 1000 booz
in a day. I used to kneed the dough. In beginning I was
awfully discouraged and quarreled with the sister and she
drove me out. I was wearing shoes on high heels, and while
walking and weeping I slipped and fall down from a small
dam. But returned back and continued to work there. Because
my mother came and reproached the sister for driving me out.
Though I was discouraged to do it I worked there for
sometime.
Byamabajav -
Tell me about your mother. What do you talk with your
mother about the life? What advice does your mother give you
concerning your life?
Odmandah -
Mother? What mother wants from us is if we are
harmonious to display it, and if we are in disagreement to
tell about it to her. What she wants is our wellbeing and
prosperity. Yes, it is. What else can I say?
Byamabajav -
What is the most vital quality of your mother which you respect and wish to adopt yourself? What is that quality?
Odmandah -
Of my mother? My mother is a very intelligent person.
She is highly intelligent, and in my opinion she displays
her intelligence in her life. My mother and myself,
especially my mother is a person of a few words. However, my
mother manages to coordinate everything. Mother knows too
well how to accommodate the differing views of two persons,
what to speak with whom, I value highly this ability of
her.
Byamabajav -
Which of the natural qualities of your elder sister do you like the most?
Odmandah -
My sister is extremely determined, and hard working.
She exerts every effort to improve her livelihood, no matter
how tired she is she never complains about it to any one.
She tells to no one, pulls the burden and copes with
problems. For example, on commerce she constantly seeks the
opportunity to make benefit. In general, in my view she is
far better than her husband, on real life. My sister is very
good. In general, she really good…
Byamabajav -
What in your opinion is the good quality of your brother Munhoo?
Odmandah -
As for my brother, of late whenever we meet there is a tendency that we argue, that is the situation, so ...
Byamabajav -
Well, the interview is coming to an end, well now, about your family...
Odmandah -
Mmm Hn.
Byamabajav -
You spoke a lot, now in future together with your
brothers and sister, what will be the best course to follow
in your life to make it even better and beautiful? In your
family relations, for example, what is the best option for
your mother? What option is best for your sister Naraa? Aan,
then for your two brothers ...
Odmandah -
Mmm hn.
Byamabajav -
What do you wish? If you were to speak out your views as an advice?
Odmandah -
Well, I wish that my brothers were able to carry on
their livelihood separately and on their own. The same for
my sister. ... Now her son has grown up, this eldest son is
finishing 10 year school this year, I wish him to study
diligently and be able to take care of his father and
mother, and stand firmly on his feet. As for my mother, I
wish her to be healthy. Now any way, for her the time to
work has become a thing of past. It is the time for us to
feed her in return. The main thing for her is to stay in
good health. Yeah. That is it, aan as for me, I have the
intention to be a good hostess of this house, to move ahead
on my work post. I think everything will be fine if all of
us could live happily, on our own…
Byamabajav -
Frankly speaking what is the most prominent
shortcoming of you? In other words, what you could point out
before your brother and sister, that this is my shortcoming
or this is my advantage?
Odmandah -
Shortcomings? My weakness is ….I am quick tempered,
as a result I tend to argue. That is one. As for the good
... character, I always keep in my mind all of them. I
always wish them wellbeing, peace not squabbles in their
home. This is what I wish them. Should I say I have the
right intentions? Something of this kind, that is it.
Interviews, transcriptions and translations provided by The Oral History of Twentieth Century Mongolia, University of Cambridge. Please acknowledge the source of materials in any publications or presentations that use them.
