Ethnos

ISSN: 0014-1844 (Print) 1469-588X (Online) Journal homepage: https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/retn20

Reading the Signs by Lenin's Light: Development,

Divination and Metonymic Fields in Mongolia

David Sneath

To cite this article: David Sneath (2009) Reading the Signs by Lenin's Light:
Development, Divination and Metonymic Fields in Mongolia, Ethnos, 74:1, 72-90, DOI:
10.1080/00141840902751204

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00141840902751204

Published online: 17 Apr 2009.

Submit your article to this journal

Article views: 879

View related articles

Citing articles: 9 View citing articles

Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at

https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=retn20
Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light:
Development, Divination and Metonymic
Fields in Mongolia

David Sneath
University of Cambridge, UK

abstract This paper examines two apparently contrasting cases: the imaginative
effects generated by Mongolian scapulimancy practices, and the impact that the
introduction of electric light had on rural Mongolians. Scapula and other divinatory
items are analysed as ‘metonymic fields’ – bounded technical practices from which
wider meanings are read. The Soviet-era electrification programme was designed
to create the sorts of imaginative perceptions that the modernist state advocated.
However, it is argued that Mongolia cannot be described in terms of a successful
modernist ‘colonisation’ of the social imaginary, since this metaphor implies a bounded
space being filled with particular ideologies. Rather than displace each other, narra-
tive genres and metonymic fields have coexisted and interacted in new ways.

keywords Mongolia, divination, imagination, metonymic fields

ZXdbbdcanZcXdjciZge]gVhZhhjX]Vhi]Z»Xdadc^hVi^dcd[i]Z

W ^bV\^cVi^dc¼i]VihZZbidYZhXg^WZi]ZlVnhWnl]^X]Y^hXjgh^kZ
[dgbVi^dchhjX]VhbdYZgc^in!ZYjXVi^dc!dgYZkZadebZci]VkZ
XdbZidWZYdb^cVci^ciZgegZi^kZ\g^Yh^cejWa^XXdchX^djhcZhh#>ci]Z^gZY^iZY
ldg`Decolonization of Imagination: Culture, Knowledge and Power![dgZmVbeaZ!
E^ZiZghZVcYEVgZ`]&..*hZidjiidZmeadgZi]ZgZaVi^dch]^eWZilZZcedlZg
VcYXjaijgZ!Ydb^cVi^dcVcYi]Z^bV\^cVgn!^ci]ZXdciZmid[Xdadc^Va^hb
VcY^ihaZ\VXn#Ldg`d[i]^hhdgigZÅZXihcdi^dchd[i]ZhdX^Va^bV\^cVgn^c
i]ZigVY^i^dcd[8Vhidg^VY^hVcYIVnadg!VhY^hXjhhZY^ci]Z^cigdYjXi^dcd[
i]^hXdaaZXi^dc#=ZgZ»h]VgZYbZciVaa^[Z¼HigVjhh'%%+/( (']VhXdbZidWZ
Ydb^cViZYWnXdadc^Va^bV\Zgn!hdi]Vi^igZfj^gZhejgedhZ[ja^ciZaaZXijVa
VXi^k^inidZhXVeZ[gdbi]ZhZlVnhd[^bV\^c^c\i]ZldgaY#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

© Routledge Journals, Taylor and Francis
issn 0014-1844 print/issn 1469-588x online. doi: 10.1080/00141840902751204
Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 73

I]^h^Y^dbgV^hZhVcjbWZgd[fjZhi^dch!^ceVgi^XjaVgi]ZcVijgZd[i]Z
bZVch!bZi]dYhVcYiZX]c^fjZhWnl]^X]^bV\^cVi^dclVh»Xdadc^hZY¼#>ci]Z
XVhZd[i]Zbjai^[daYVcYgVb^[n^c\cdi^dcd[bdYZgc^in!gZcYZg^c\hd[l]^X]
]VkZhdedlZg[jaan^cÅjZcXZY^bV\^cVi^dci]gdj\]djii]Z\adWZ!^i^hXaZVg
i]Vi^i]VhcdiWZZci]gdj\]iZmiVcYheZZX]VadcZi]Vii]^hXdadc^hVi^dc]Vh
iV`ZceaVXZ#I]ZigVch[dgbVi^dclVhVahdi]ZgZhjaid[i]Z^bV\^cVi^kZZ[[ZXih
VcYedhh^W^a^i^Zh\ZcZgViZYWnbng^VYdW_ZXih!egdXZYjgZhVcYiZX]cdad\^Zh#
I]Zl^YZgVc\Zd[^chigjbZcihWnl]^X]i]Zcdi^dcd[bdYZgc^inXVbZid
Ydb^cViZdjggZegZhZciVi^dchd[i]ZldgaY^cXajYZYi]ZcZlZmeZg^ZcXZh
bVYZedhh^WaZWni]Z^cYjhig^VaVcYhX^Zci^ÄXgZkdaji^dch#>c]^h&...ldg`
Expectations of Modernity: Myths and Meanings of Urban Life on the Zambian
Copperbelt, [dgZmVbeaZ!?VbZh;Zg\jhdcZmVb^cZhOVbW^VcZmeZg^ZcXZhd[
Y^h^aajh^dcbZciVhi]Zegdb^hZd[^cYjhig^VaYZkZadebZciZkVedgViZY0^c
Yd^c\hd]ZgZkZVahi]Z^bedgiVcXZd[i]ZjgWVca^[ZhinaZhVcYZck^gdcbZcih
\ZcZgViZYWnb^Y"ilZci^Zi]XZcijgn^cYjhig^Va^hVi^dc[dgXdhbdad\^XVa[dg"
bVi^dcVcYigVch[dgbVi^dc#
Bdc\da^VVahdZmeZg^ZcXZYi]ZgVe^Y\gdli]d[^cYjhig^VaVcYjgWVca^[Z"
hinaZh^ci]ZhZXdcY]Va[d[i]ZilZci^Zi]XZcijgn#6[iZgi]ZHdk^Zi"WVX`ZY
Bdc\da^VcEZdeaZ¼hGZkdaji^dcVgnEVginmprpidd`Xdcigdad[DjiZg
Bdc\da^V^ci]Z&.'%h!i]ZcZlan^cYZeZcYZcicVi^dcgZXZ^kZYi]ZAZc^c^hi
kVg^Vcid[bdYZgc^hbVcYhZiVWdji^chiVaa^c\Vaai]ZigVee^c\hd[i]ZHdk^Zi
kZgh^dcd[i]ZcVi^dc"hiViZ#&JgWVc^hVi^dclVhgVe^Y#>c&.(*i]ZedejaVi^dc
d[i]ZXVe^iVaJaVVcWVViVglVh_jhidkZg&%!%%%#;^[innZVghaViZgi]ZXVe^iVa
]VYWZXdbZ*%i^bZhW^\\Zg!]dbZiddkZg]Va[Vb^aa^dceZdeaZ¸VfjVgiZg
d[i]ZZci^gZcVi^dcVaedejaVi^dc<^aWZg\HkVciZhhdc&..+/'&#Bdc\da^V
YZkZadeZYVadXVakVg^Vcid[i]ZYdb^cVciHdk^Zieda^i^XVaXjaijgZ!VcYi]Z
cVi^dcVaZa^iZWZXVbZ]^\]an[Vb^a^Vgl^i]i]Za^[ZhinaZhVcYkVajZhd[i]Z
ussr#HiViZ^YZdad\nlVhBVgm^hi!bdYZgc^hi!VcYjgWVc!dg^ZciZYidlVgYh
i]Zeda^i^XVaXZcigZhd[JaVVcWVViVgVcY!bdgZY^hiVcian!BdhXdl#
>[lZVeegdVX]i]ZhZigVch[dgbVi^dch^ciZgbhd[i]ZBdc\da^Vc»hdX^Va
^bV\^cVgn¼lZXdjaYYZhXg^WZ^ihXdadc^oVi^dcWnVeVgi^XjaVgkVg^Zind[hiViZ
hdX^Va^hibdYZgc^hb#7ji!VhY^hXjhhZY^ci]Z^cigdYjXi^dcd[i]^h^hhjZ!i]ZgZ
VgZVcjbWZgd[gZVhdch[dgi]^c`^c\Xg^i^XVaanVWdjii]ZIVnadg^VcXdcXZei
VcYhZZ^c\idl]ViZmiZcilZXVc\dWZndcY^i#>ci]^heVeZg>hZidjiid
ZmVb^cZildVeeVgZcianXdcigVhi^c\XVhZh^ciZgbhd[i]Za^c`V\ZWZilZZc
^iZbhd[iZX]cdad\nVcYi]Zldg`d[i]Z^bV\^cVi^dc#I]ZÄghiXVhZXdcXZgch
i]Z^beVXii]Vii]Z^cigdYjXi^dcd[ZaZXig^Xa^\]i]VY^cgjgVaBdc\da^VVhV
gZhjaid[VHdk^Zi"ZgVZaZXig^ÄXVi^dcegd\gVbbZYZh^\cZYidXgZViZi]Zhdgih

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

74 davi d s n eath

d[^bV\^cVi^kZeZgXZei^dchi]Vii]ZbdYZgc^hihiViZVYkdXViZY#HZXdcYan!>
Y^hXjhhi]Z^bV\^cVi^kZZ[[ZXih\ZcZgViZYWnBdc\da^VciZX]c^fjZhd[hXVej"
a^bVcXnl]ZgZWni]Zh]djaYZg"WaVYZd[Vh]ZZe^hjhZYid\ZcZgViZh^\ch[dg
Y^k^cVi^dc!egVXi^XZhi]VildjaYVeeZVghZchZaZhhdgbZVc^c\aZhh^[Hdk^Zi"hinaZ
bdYZgc^hb]VYhjXXZhh[jaanXdadc^oZYi]Z^bV\^cVi^dchd[hiViZhjW_ZXih#

Electricity and the Cult of Light

>c]^h&.'%VYYgZhhidi]Z-i]6aa"Gjhh^V8dc\gZhhd[Hdk^Zih!AZc^c^c"
h^hiZYdci]ZXg^i^XVa^bedgiVcXZd[ZaZXig^ÄXVi^dc[dgi]ZWgdVYZgegd_ZXid[
Hdk^ZiYZkZadebZci#
8dbbjc^hb^hHdk^ZiedlZgeajhi]ZZaZXig^ÄXVi^dcd[i]Zl]daZXdjcign###>
gZXZcian]VYdXXVh^dcidViiZcYVeZVhVci[Zhi^kVa]ZaY^cKdad`daVbh`JnZoY!V
gZbdiZeVgid[BdhXdl<jWZgc^V!l]ZgZi]ZeZVhVcih]VkZZaZXig^Xa^\]i^c\#6
bZZi^c\lVhVggVc\ZY^ci]ZhigZZi!VcYdcZd[i]ZeZVhVcihXVbZ[dglVgYVcY
WZ\VcidbV`ZVheZZX]lZaXdb^c\i]^hcZlZkZci^ci]Za^kZhd[i]ZeZVhVcih#
»LZeZVhVcihlZgZjcZca^\]iZcZY!¼]ZhV^Y!»VcYcdla^\]i]VhVeeZVgZYVbdc\
jh!Vc¹jccVijgVaa^\]i!l]^X]l^aaa^\]ijedjgeZVhVciYVg`cZhhº#¼;dgbneVgi!
i]ZhZldgYhY^Ycdihjgeg^hZbZ#D[XdjghZ!idi]Zcdc"EVgineZVhVcibVhhZh
ZaZXig^Xa^\]i^hVc»jccVijgVa¼a^\]i0Wjil]VilZXdch^YZgjccVijgVa^hi]Vii]Z
eZVhVcihVcYldg`Zghh]djaY]VkZa^kZY[dg]jcYgZYhVcYi]djhVcYhd[nZVgh^c
hjX]WVX`lVgYcZhh!edkZginVcYdeegZhh^dcjcYZgi]Znd`Zd[i]ZaVcYdlcZgh
VcYi]ZXVe^iVa^hih#NdjXVccdiZbZg\Z[gdbi]^hYVg`cZhhkZgngVe^Yan#L]VilZ
bjhicdlign^hidXdckZgiZkZgnZaZXig^XedlZghiVi^dclZWj^aY^cidVhigdc\]daY
d[Zca^\]iZcbZciidWZjhZYidbV`Zi]ZbVhhZhZaZXig^X^in"XdchX^djh!hdidheZV`
AZc^c&.++/) .+·*&-#

AZc^c¼hk^h^dcgdaaZYdji!adc\V[iZg]^hYZVi]!WZndcYi]ZWdgYZghd[i]ZHdk^Zi
Jc^dc#>cBdc\da^Vi]ZZaZXig^Xa^\]iWZXVbZVXZcigVahnbWdad[bdYZgc^hb!
VcY^cYZZYd[i]ZeVgi^XjaVgeda^i^XVaegd_ZXid[AZc^c^hihiViZhdX^Va^hb#:aYZgan
]ZgYZghidaYbZi]Vil]ZcZaZXig^X^inlVhÄghi^cigdYjXZYidi]Z^ggjgVaY^hig^Xi
XZcigZh^ci]Z&.(%hVcY)%hi]Zn]VYXVaaZY^iIlyichiin Gerel¸»AZc^c¼hA^\]i¼
¸i]ZZaZXig^ÄXVi^dceda^X^ZhlZgZViig^WjiZYid]^beZghdcVaan#
D[XdjghZZaZXig^X^in]VYedlZg[jaanXVeijgZYi]Z^bV\^cVi^dci]gdj\]dji
i]Z^cYjhig^ValdgaY!AZc^c¼h]j\ZZaZXig^ÄXVi^dcYg^kZgZÅZXiZYi]ZZmX^iZbZci
VcY^bV\^cVi^kZedhh^W^a^i^Zh\ZcZgViZYWni]ZiZX]cdad\n#7jil]nY^YZaZXig^X
a^\]iÄgZi]Z^bV\^cVi^dcVcYaZVkZhjX]Vc^begZhh^dcdcedejaVgXjaijgZ^c
VlVni]Vii]ZaZhhheZXiVXjaVgWjiVg\jVWanbdgZ\Zcj^cZanigVch[dgbVi^kZ
Veea^XVi^dcd[ZaZXig^X^inhjX]Vhi]ZiZaZ\gVe]4

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 75

Figure 1. Light bulb made to commemorate Lenin’s

electrification programme (Museum of Contemporary
Russian History, Ssorin-Chaikov 2006:215).

>i^h!>i]^c`!idYdl^i]i]ZheZXiVXaZdga^\]i!i]Zk^h^WaZigVch[dgbVi^dc
d[YVg`hjggdjcY^c\hi]Vi^iV[[dgYh#7g^\]iZg!l]^iZgi]VcÅVbZ!h^aZciVcY
Xdda!^iWVc^h]Zhh]VYdlhVcYigVch[dgbhi]Zc^\]i#7ji^ildg`hWnbZVch
i]ViVgZcdiZk^YZciidi]ZZnZ¸Vc^ck^h^WaZÅdlVadc\l^gZh!hdbZi]^c\
fj^iZjca^`Zi]ZbdkZbZcid[e]nh^XVahjWhiVcXZhl^i]l]^X]lZVgZ[Vb^a^Vg#
I]Z6bZg^XVc]jbdjg^hi?VbZhI]jgWZggZXVaaZY]^h\gVcYbdi]Zgejii^c\
YZVYWjaWh^cZbeinhdX`Zihidhidei]ZZaZXig^X^inaZV`^c\#H]Z»a^kZYi]Z
aViiZgnZVghd[]Zga^[Z^ci]Z]dgg^WaZhjhe^X^dci]ViZaZXig^X^inlVhYg^ee^c\
^ck^h^WanVaadkZgi]Z]djhZ¼I]jgWZg&.+(/&+-#
I]^hcZl[dgbd[a^\]ilVh^YZVaanhj^iZYVhVkZ]^XaZ[dgi]ZeVgi^XjaVg
^bV\^cVi^kZXdchigjXid[bdYZgc^inVcYegd\gZhhhögjil, devshil Vh^ilVh
edlZg[jaanegdYjXZYWni]ZcZlgZkdaji^dcVgnhiViZd[Bdc\da^V#I]Z
VhhdX^Vi^dchd[a^\]il^i]igVchXZcYZci!]^\]ZgdgYZgh]VhVadc\]^hidgn^c
Bdc\da^V·^cYZZYi]ZZb^cZciBdc\da^Vc]^hidg^Vc7^gVVg\jZh[dgV»Xjaid[
a^\]i¼YVi^c\WVX`idOdgdVhig^Vc^cÅjZcXZ7^gV'%%&/( ((·)!VcY=jbe]gZn
'%%,/&-+·-.YZhXg^WZhi]ZXZcigVa^bedgiVcXZd[a^\]i^ch]VbVc^XegVXi^XZh#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

76 davi d s n eath

L]ViZkZgi]Zdg^\^chd[i]ZhZVii^ijYZh!Wni]ZZVganilZci^Zi]XZcijgni]ZgZ
lVhVedlZg[jaVhhdX^Vi^dcWZilZZca^\]iVcY]^\]ZgjcYZghiVcY^c\¸Vh
i]Z:c\a^h]iZgb»Zca^\]iZcbZci¼YZcdiZh#I]ZhZVhhdX^Vi^dchhj[[jhZYi]Z
aVc\jV\Z#I]ZiZgbgegeersen![dgZmVbeaZbZVciVcYbZVchZca^\]iZcZY!
VcYi]ZkZgWgegeeruulehidZYjXViZdgZca^\]iZc#I]Zi^iaZd[VHutagt·i]Z
gZ^cXVgcViZhZc^dgaVbVd[i]Z7jYY]^hiX]jgX]¸lVhGegeen!VldgYi]Vi
bZVchYVna^\]i!Wg^\]icZhh!heaZcYdjgVcYWg^aa^VcXZ#
L]ZcAZc^c¼hZaZXig^ÄXVi^dcegd\gVbbZlVhigVcheaVciZYidi]ZHdk^Zi
hViZaa^iZ"hiViZ^ci]Z&.(%h!i]Za^\]id[hdX^Va^hbWZ\Vcidh]^cZdkZgBdc\d"
a^V!Wdi]bZiVe]dg^XVaanVcYe]nh^XVaan#I]ZVgildg`d[i]ZgZkdaji^dcVgn
ZgViVeeZY^cidi]Z^YZdad\^XVaediZci^Vahd[i]ZdaY^Y^dbhVcYi]ZcZl
iZX]cdad\n#EgdeV\VcYV^bV\Zhine^XVaanXdcigVhiZYWg^\]ian^aajb^cViZY
Ä\jgZhd[i]ZgZkdaji^dcl^i]YVg`VcYh]VYdlnXdjciZg"gZkdaji^dcVgnVcY
[ZjYVadeedcZcih#DkZgi]Z[daadl^c\i]gZZYZXVYZhZaZXig^ÄXVi^dchegZVY
WZndcYi]ZXVe^iVaX^ind[JaVVcWVViVg!idi]ZidlchVcYi]Zci]ZgZbdiZ
gjgVaXZcigZhVXgdhhi]ZkVhicVi^dc#
I]ZXZcigVahZiiaZbZcid[7j\VisumY^hig^Xi^c<dk¼"6aiV^aimagegd"
k^cXZ![dgZmVbeaZ!Y^Ycdi]VkZZaZXig^X^injci^a&.+.![dgZmVbeaZ#6Y^ZhZa"
edlZgZY\ZcZgVidglVh^chiVaaZYWni]ZnegdelXdaaZXi^kZ[Vgbidhjeeani]Z
VYb^c^higVi^kZd[ÄXZhVcYejWa^XWj^aY^c\h!VcYi]^hlVhaViZgje\gVYZYhdVh
idhjeeaneg^kViZ]djhZ]daYh#HZkZcin"Z^\]i"nZVg"daYA]Vh“gZcgZbZbWZgh
i]ZbdbZcil]Zci]ZcZlZaZXig^Xa^\]ihlZgZhl^iX]ZYdcVcYVcdaY]ZgYh"
bVccVbZYA]Vbh“gZcXVbZidi]ZXZcigVasumhZiiaZbZciidhZZi]Zb[dg
i]ZÄghii^bZ#=ZlVhYZa^\]iZYVii]Zh^\]i!hVn^c\!»CdllZ]VkZZiZgcVa
zuld[[Zg^c\"aVbeh¼#'Oul^hi]ZiZgb[dgVXaVg^ÄZY"WjiiZgaVbe!Xdbbdcan
eaVXZYWZ[dgZi]Z^bV\Zhd[7jYY]^hiYZ^i^ZhVhVcd[[Zg^c\!VcYVhVgZhjai
i]ZldgYXVgg^ZhdkZgidcZhd[i]ZhVXgZY#I]^hlVhcdiVjc^fjZgZhedchZid
i]ZcZliZX]cdad\n#A]Vh“gZc¼hbdi]Zg![dgZmVbeaZ!]VYWZZcc^cZnZVgh
daYl]Zch]Z]VYVXXdbeVc^ZY]ZgeVgZcihdcVgZa^\^djhe^a\g^bV\Zidi]Z
XVe^iVaX^in!i]ZccVbZYC^^haZa=“gZZdg7d\Y=“gZZVcYh]dgiani]ZgZV[iZg
gZcVbZYJaVVcWVViVg»GZY=Zgd¼Wni]ZHdk^Zi"WVX`ZYgZkdaji^dcVgngZ"
\^bZ#L]Zci]ZnXVbZidi]ZbdjciV^ceVhhd[H]Vg=ŽkVcYadd`ZYYdlc
dci]ZX^in!i]ZÄghieaVXZid]VkZZaZXig^Xa^\]ih^ci]ZXdjcign!i]Zh^\]i
bVYZVaVhi^c\^begZhh^dcdc]Zg#H]Z^bV\^cZYi]ZgZlZgZi]djhVcYhd[
zuld[[Zg^c\"aVbehh]^c^c\WZadl]Zg^ci]ZYVg`cZhh#A]Vh“gZc]^bhZa[Äghi
hVlZaZXig^Xa^\]il]Zc]ZlZciidi]Zaimagegdk^cXZXZcigVahZiiaZbZci
idWZ\^cb^a^iVgnhZgk^XZ^ci]ZaViZ&.)%h#>ci]ZZkZc^c\]Zk^h^iZYi]Z]dbZ
d[VYdXidgcVbZY7jgnVi!VcVXfjV^ciVcXZd[]^h[Vb^an!VcYlVhVbVoZYWn

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 77

i]ZZaZXig^Xa^\]ii]Vii]ZYdXidg]VY]Vc\^c\[gdbi]Zgdd[d[]^hgernjgi#
»>i]dj\]i¹i]^h^cXdbegZ]Zch^WaZ!adkZani]^c\#º>ilVh_jhia^`ZYVn#¼

The Story of the Serenen’s Light Bulbs

I]ZBdc\da^VceaVnlg^\]i!AVb_VkncKVc\^c!idaYi]Zhidgnd[VgjgVa
Y^hig^Xil]ZgZVcZaZXig^X\ZcZgVidglVh^chiVaaZY[dgi]ZÄghii^bZ#Dci]Z
&%i]d[?jan&.*)i]Zldg`lVhXdbeaZiZVcYi]ZejWa^XheVXZd[i]ZSoyolyn
Töv8jaijgVa8ZcigZXdjaYViaVhiWZa^il^i]bdYZgca^\]ih#6\gVcYbZZi^c\
VcYXZaZWgVi^dclZgZidWZ]ZaY!Wjii]ZYVnWZ[dgZi]ZdeZc^c\i]ZbVcV"
\ZbZcid[i]ZXdaaZXi^kZ[djcYidi]Z^g]dggdgi]ViVai]dj\]ZkZgni]^c\ZahZ
lVh^ceaVXZ!cda^\]iWjaWh]VYWZZcYZa^kZgZY#HjYYZcan!Vh^min"nZVg"daY
]ZgYZgcVbZYHZgZcZcVeeZVgZYl^i]ildW^\WdmZh#=ZhV^Yi]Vii]ZnlZgZ
ZaZXig^XWjaWh!Wji9Va]V!i]ZX]V^gbVcd[i]ZXdaaZXi^kZ!i]dj\]i]ZlVh
_d`^c\jci^ai]ZndeZcZYi]ZWdmZhidÄcYi]Zb[jaad[k^ciV\ZWjaWhYVi^c\
[gdbi]Z&.'%hVcY&.(%h#
HZgZcZcZkZcijVaanZmeaV^cZYi]ViilZcinnZVghWZ[dgZ]Z]VY\dcZidk^h^i
]^hndjc\ZgWgdi]Zgl]da^kZY^ci]ZXVe^iVa#=ZlVhVbVoZYidhZZi]ZZaZXig^X
a^\]ihi]ZgZVcYl]Zc]ZlZciidi]Zh]de]Z[djcYid]^hVbVoZbZcii]Vi
i]ZbVgkZaadjha^\]i"Zb^ii^c\WjaWhlZgZcdikZgnZmeZch^kZ#=ZXVaXjaViZY!
id]^hYZa^\]i!i]Vi^[]ZheZciVaa]^hbdcZn]ZXdjaYV[[dgY&%%d[i]Zb#I]^h
lVh[Vgidd\ddYVcdeedgijc^in[dgi]Z]ZgYhbVcideVhhje#I]^c`^c\d[
i]Z\adgnl^i]l]^X]]ZXdjaY]VcYdjii]ZhZbVgkZahWVX`^c]^h]dbZdc
i]ZhiZeeZ]ZegdbeianWdj\]ii]Zadi#=ZlVhZcdgbdjhanY^hVeed^ciZY
idÄcYi]Vih^beanin^c\i]ZhZYZk^XZhidi]ZXZ^a^c\Y^YcdiXVjhZi]Zbid
a^\]i!VcY]^hZYjXViZYWgdi]Zg·l^i]\gZViY^[ÄXjain·bVYZ]^bjcYZghiVcY
i]Vi]ZcZZYZYi]ZZci^gZ^c[gVhigjXijgZd[ZaZXig^XVa\ZcZgVi^dcVcYhjeean
idbV`Zi]Zbldg`#>iijgcZYdjii]Vii]ZhZlZgZcdi^cY^k^YjVa!WjihdX^Va!
bVgkZah#=ZgZijgcZYid]^hY^hiVciZcXVbebZciVh]VbZYd[]^hhije^Y^in
VcY]^Yi]ZWjaWhidegZkZci]^hWajcYZgWZ^c\`cdlc#
I]ZhidgnegZhZcihVcjbWZgd[i]ZbZh#>i^aajhigViZhi]ZbnhiZgnVcY
bV\^Xd[i]ZcZliZX]cdad\nidi]dhZjc[Vb^a^Vgl^i]^i#7jii]ZiVaZd[
HZgZcZcVcY]^hZaZXig^XWjaWh^hVahdjhZYWnKVc\^cVhVeVgVWaZ[dgi]Z
hdX^Va^hiigVch[dgbVi^dcd[hdX^Zin#7ni]ZZVgan&.*%hbdhid[gjgVaBdc\da^V
]VYWZZcXdaaZXi^k^hZY!WjiVhi]^hlVhcdb^cVaanVkdajciVgnegdXZhhi]ZgZ
lZgZhi^aa»gZ[jhZc^`¼a^kZhidX`dlcZghl]d]ZaYdjiV\V^chii]ZegdXZhhVcY
Xdci^cjZYid]ZgY^cYZeZcYZcian#HZgZcZc^hXVhiVhVhijWWdgcdaYgZXajhZ!
`cdlcadXVaanVhVcVci^hdX^VaadVcZg#EZdeaZVgZhjgeg^hZYl]Zc]Z_d^chi]Z
adXVanegdel·i]ZhiViZ"hedchdgZYY^hig^XiXdaaZXi^kZ[Vgb#L]Zc]Zegdk^YZh

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

78 davi d s n eath

i]ZWjaWhi]ZnVgZVhidc^h]ZYVcYl]Zc]ZZkZcijVaanVYb^ih]^hVcX^Zci[daan
]Z^h[jaan^ciZ\gViZYVhVkVajZYadXVaX]VgVXiZg#>i^hVh^[i]ZhVbZXjg^djh
l]^bhd[X]VcXZi]VibVYZhdbZeZdeaZb^hjcYZghiVcYi]ZcVijgZd[hdX^Va^hi
bdYZgc^inVcYcjghZeg^kViZ\g^ZkVcXZh!]VYegdk^YZYVX]VcXZ[dgi]Zbid
gZYZZbi]ZbhZakZhVcYXdcig^WjiZidi]Z_d^ciegd_ZXid[bdYZgc^in^ci]Z^g
adXVaXdbbjc^in#NdjXVc¼i]dVgYi]ZldcYZgd[AZc^c¼ha^\]i#7jindjXVc
eaVnndjgeVgi^ci]Zl^YZghdX^VabdkZbZcid[Wj^aY^c\bdYZgc^in#

Mapping the Imagination

6hY^hXjhhZY^ci]Z^cigdYjXi^dcidi]^hkdajbZ!Xd\c^i^kZhX^Zci^hihYd
cdiigZVi^bV\^cVi^dcVhhdbZi]^c\YZiVX]ZY[gdbl]Vib^\]iWZXVaaZYi]Z
»eZgXZei^dcd[gZVa^in#¼L]^aZegZ"@Vci^VcVeegdVX]ZhigZViZY^bV\^cVi^dc
Vh»V[VXjaini]VibV`ZhegZhZcil]Vi^hVWhZci¼6mZa'%%(/&'&!i]Z@Vci^Vc
igVY^i^dc]VheaVXZYi]Z[dgXZd[^bV\^cVi^dcVhXZcigVaiddjgZmeZg^ZcXZd[
i]ZldgaY#I]ZXd\c^i^kZhZbVci^XhVeegdVX]d[?d]chdc&.-,VcYIjgcZg
&..+![dgZmVbeaZ!igZVih^bV\^cVi^dcVh^ch^cjViZY^cideZgXZei^dc^ihZa[#
I]^hVeegdVX]d[[ZghVcjbWZgd[iZgbhi]ViXVchZgkZVhhiVgi^c\ed^cih
[dgVcVci]gdedad\^XVaZmeadgVi^dcd[i]Z^bV\^cVi^kZZ[[ZXihd[iZX]c^XVa
egdXZYjgZh8Vhhdc&.-(#IjgcZghZihdjiVcjbWZgd[iZgbhbZci^dcZY
^ci]Z^cigdYjXi^dc/image schemaseViiZgchi]ViXdbW^cZeZgXZei^dcVcY
^bV\^cVi^dcid[dgbjcYZghiVcY^c\h0sequencesi]ZgZXd\c^i^dcd[hZkZgVa
ZkZcihi]ViVgZ\dkZgcZYWni]ZhVbZ^bV\ZhX]ZbV!id[dgbkZgnWVh^XVXihd[
cVggVi^kZ^bV\^cVi^dchjX]Vh»i]gdl^c\¼dg»a^\]i^c\VXVcYaZ¼0VcYnarrative
i]ZXgZVi^dcVcYdgYZg^c\d[VhZfjZcXZd[VXihd[^bV\^cVi^kZeZgXZei^dc
l]^X]VhIjgcZg&..+/)cdiZh^hV[jcYVbZciVa^chigjbZcid[i]dj\]i#(
I]Zci]ZgZ^hparablei]ZZmegZhh^dcd[dcZhidgni]gdj\]Vcdi]Zg!VcY
metonymyl]ZcdcZ^iZbhiVcYh[dghdbZdi]ZgVgi^XaZd[i]dj\]i!l]^X]
eVgVWaZgZfj^gZhid\ZcZgViZ^ih»hZXdcYdgYZg¼bZhhV\Z#
8aZVgan!Vaad[i]ZhZcdi^dchXdjaYWZWgdj\]iidWZVgdci]ZVXXdjcid[
HZgZcZc¼hZaZXig^Xa^\]iWjaWh#I]ZdeZgVi^dcd[ZaZXig^Xa^\]ilVhhdY^[[ZgZci
[gdbi]Z^bV\ZhX]ZbVVcYhZfjZcXZhd[ÅVbZVcYheVg`!hjcVcYbddc!i]Vi
i]Z]ZgYZgb^hjcYZghiddYi]ZhigVc\ZdW_ZXih^ckdakZY#I]^hjcYZghiVcY^c\
XdjaYdcanWZ\V^cZYi]gdj\]VhigVc\ZcZlcVggVi^kZ^cl]^X]bVcnd[i]Z
`ZniZgbhlZgZWdjcYjel^i]i]Z\gVcYZghidg^Zhd[bdYZgc^hVi^dc#6cY!
_jhiVhi]ZldcYZgd[AZc^c¼hA^\]iY^Y^ci]ZZVganYVnhd[ZaZXig^ÄXVi^dc!
i]Zhidgnd[HZgZcZc¼hWjaWh^ihZa[^ck^iZhVl^YZg^ciZgegZiVi^dc¸hiVcY^c\
VhVeVgVWaZd[i]ZVYkVcXZd[hX^Zci^ÄXhdX^Va^hbVcYVhnbWdad[^bV\^cZY
[jijgZh#I]ZldcYZgd[ZaZXig^Xa^\]iWZXdbZhbZidcnb^X[dgbdYZgc^in#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 79

Metonymic Fields and the Reading of Signs

9gVl^c\dci]^hXdcXZeijVagZeZgid^gZ>hj\\Zhii]VilZXdjaYXdch^YZg
XZgiV^ce]ZcdbZcVVhbZidcnb^XÄZaYh¸YZk^XZhdghX]ZbVhi]Vi^ck^iZi]Z
Viig^Wji^dcd[eViiZgcVcY^ciZgegZiVi^kZcVggVi^kZ!ÄZaYh[dgi]Zegd_ZXi^dcd[
cVggVi^kZ#)6aahdgihd[dW_ZXihVcYiZX]c^XVaegdXZYjgZhhZZbidVXi^ci]^h
lVn^cXZgiV^cX^gXjbhiVcXZh#>ci]ZXVhZd[8jWVc\VbWaZghhZVgX]^c\[dg
egZbdc^i^dchYZhXg^WZYWnBVgi^c=daWgVVY'%%,!i]ZbZidcnb^XÄZaYh
bVniV`ZVabdhiVcn[dgb¸hjX]VhVXVgcjbWZgeaViZdgV[VaaZcXVcYaZ#
7jihdbZVgiZ[VXihVgZYZa^WZgViZanbZidcnb^X!VcYi]^h^heVgi^XjaVganXaZVg
^ci]ZXVhZd[Y^k^cVi^dc!l]ZgZiZX]c^fjZhVgZYZh^\cZYidVaadli]ZgZVY^c\
d[h^\chX[#IjgcZg&..+/'%#
6cZmVbeaZd[i]^h!VcYdcZl]^X]HZgZcZcldjaYjcYdjWiZYan]VkZ
WZZcbdgZ[Vb^a^Vgl^i]i]Vci]ZZaZXig^Xa^\]iWjaW!^hi]ZBdc\da^VcVgid[
hXVeja^bVcXnXVaaZYdalaar mergeleh (Y^k^cVi^dcWnbZVchd[i]Z dal dg_jhi
dal taviheaVX^c\dal #Dal^hi]ZldgY[dgi]Zh]djaYZgWaVYZd[Vh]ZZe!VcY
i]ZcjbWZghZkZcin!l]^X]^cBdc\da^Vc^hd[iZciV`ZcVhV\ZcZgVaiZgb[dg
VaVg\ZcjbWZg#HdbZhVni]Vii]Zdal\di^ihcVbZWZXVjhZd[i]ZhXdgZhd[
h^\chi]Vi^iXdjaYh]dl#I]ZegVXi^XZYViZhWVX`ViaZVhiVh[VgVhi]Zi]^giZZci]
XZcijgnl]Zci]ZBdc\daZbeZgdgBŽc\`Z@]Vc]^bhZa[gZVYi]Zdal!Vh
l^icZhhZYWni]Z;gVcX^hXVcb^hh^dcVgnL^aa^Vbd[GjWgjX`^c&'*)#7ZXVjhZ
d[^ihVci^fj^in^i]VhWZZcVhhdX^ViZYl^i]»h]VbVc^X¼egVXi^XZh!Vai]dj\]
^ilVhl^YZanjhZYWn7jYY]^hiaVbVh^caViZgeZg^dYh#I]Z\gZVi7jYY]^hi
hX]daVgHjb"eVb@]Vc"ed>h]^"7Va_jg&,%)·-,![dgZmVbeaZ!lgdiZViZmi
dci]ZegVXi^XZ6ilddY'%%)/) -.![dgZmVbeaZ#HjX]Y^k^cVi^dciZX]c^fjZh
VeeZVgVh^chiVcXZhd[igVY^i^dcVahjeZghi^i^dc^cbdYZgc^hiY^hXdjghZ!_jhii]Z
hdgid[egVXi^XZidWZZa^b^cViZY^ci]ZegdXZhhd[bdYZgc^hVi^dchnbWda^hZY
Wni]ZZaZXig^Xa^\]i#=dlZkZg!VhiZX]cdad\^Zhi]Vi\ZcZgViZ^bV\^cVi^kZ
Z[[ZXih^i^h^ciZgZhi^c\idZmVb^cZ![dgVbdbZci!i]ZdalVcYi]Za^\]i"WjaW
^ci]ZhVbZ[gVbZ#
I]ZhXVejaVd[Vh]ZZe^hVY^hi^cXi^kZÅVi!gdj\]anig^Vc\jaVgWdcZ!l^i]V
l^YZ!hbddi]VcYha^\]ianXjgk^c\hjg[VXZ!VcYVg^Y\Zgjcc^c\Ydlc[gdbV
hdX`ZiVidcZZcY#I]ZWVh^XiZX]c^fjZd[dalY^k^cVi^dc^hidXaZVci]ZÅZh]
[gdbi]ZWdcZVcYeaVXZ^i^cVÄgZjci^a^iWZXdbZhYgnl^i]hdbZX]Vgg^c\
VcYXgVX`^c\#>i^hi]ZcgZbdkZY[dghijYn#I]ZXgVX`hVcYbVg`hXVjhZYWn
i]Z]ZVid[i]ZÄgZVgZhijY^ZY!VcYi]Z^gadXVi^dcVcYdg^ZciVi^dcgZVY[dg
h^\ch#I]ZgZVgZheZX^Va^hih!l]dVgZlZaa`cdlc[dgi]ZVXXjgVXnd[i]Z^g
gZVY^c\h!Wjii]^h^hV\ZcZgVaanVXXZhh^WaZiZX]cdad\n!deZcidVcnl]d
X]ddhZhidaZVgci]ZVgi#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

80 davi d s n eath

Figure 2. Altanhüü reading a dal,

Hövsgöl aimag, 2008.

6aiVc]““![dgZmVbeaZ!^hV+,"nZVgdaY]ZgYhbVcd[bdYZhibZVch!a^k^c\
^c6gWjaV\sum!=Žkh\Žaaimag!l]dgZVYi]Zdal[dgbZ^c?jcZ'%%-#6a"
i]dj\]]ZldjaYcdijhjVaanYdhdl]ZcgZVY^c\dal!6aiVc]““YZhXg^WZY
i]Zided\gVe]nd[i]ZhXVejaV!h^cXZ>lVh`ZZcidaZVgcVWdji]^hiZX]c^fjZ#
DcZd[i]Zadc\ZY\Zh^hi]Z»XdaYgZ\^dc¼hüiten muj !i]Zdi]ZgVhi]Z»]di
gZ\^dc¼halüün muj #I]ZWdcZ^hZmeZXiZYidWjgcVcYXgVX`[gdbi]Zl^YZ
ÅViZcY!^[i]^hXgVX`^c\^hgdj\]aneVgVaaZal^i]i]ZbV^cVm^hd[i]ZWdcZ
i]^h^cY^XViZYi]ZfjZhi^dcZg¼heVi]^hXaZVgV]ZVY!l]ZgZVhXgVX`hgjcc^c\
XgdhhlVnhhj\\ZhiZYY^[ÄXjai^Zh#>[XgVX`^c\VeeZVgh[gdbi]Z»]di¼h^YZ^iXVc
^cY^XViZi]VidcZl^aagZXZ^kZcZlh[gdbdcZ¼hgZaVi^kZh!^[XgVX`^c\h]dlh
[gdbi]Z»XdaY¼h^YZdcZh]djaYZmeZXicZlh[gdbcdc"gZaVi^kZh#I]ZXdaYh^YZ
Vahd^cY^XViZhYVc\ZghVcYY^[ÄXjai^Zh!VcY^[^i^hWjgcidgXgVX`ZYhdbZdcZ
l]d]Vhadhia^kZhidX`l^aaegdWVWancZkZggZXdkZgi]Zb#I]Zg^Y\Zd[WdcZ
i]VigjchYdlci]ZhXVejaV!gdj\]aneZgeZcY^XjaVgidi]ZÅVihjg[VXZ!]ZXVaah
i]Z»a^kZhidX``^cY¼malyn omogh^cXZi]Vi^hl]ZgZbdhi^c[dgbVi^dcVWdji
Vc^bVah^h[djcY0^[i]^hg^Y\Z^hYVbV\ZYi]Za^kZhidX`l^aaWZXdbZlZV`
VcY^aa!^[\gZVhZ\Vi]Zghi]ZgZhdbZdcZadd`^c\[dgadhia^kZhidX`h]djaYÄcY
i]Zb#I]Zh]Vgei^ed[i]ZWdcZg^Y\Z]ZXVaahi]Z»eZghdc`^cY¼hünii omog!
VcY^[^iWgZV`hVlVni]^h^cY^XViZh^aacZhhVcYWVY"[dgijcZ#I]ZWdcZ¼hhdX`Zi
]ZXVaahi]Z»ZcXVbebZci¼hot#I]Zdi]Zgh^YZd[i]ZhXVejaV!l]^X]]Vhcd
g^Y\Z!]ZiZgbhi]Z»\dYd[i]ZZcigVcXZ¼üüden tenger!VcY^[^i^hl^YZVcY
XdcXVkZ^i^cY^XViZha^kZhidX`cjbWZghh]djaY^cXgZVhZlZaa#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 81

6aiVc]““eaVXZYi]Zdal^ci]ZhidkZl^i]cdXZgZbdcnl]ViZkZg!VcYhdbZ
i]^ginb^cjiZhaViZgZmigVXiZYVcYhijY^ZY^i[dg^c[dgbVi^dcdc]dli]Zig^e
d[i]Z\gdje>lVhl^i]ldjaYijgcdji#I]ZXgVX`^c\lVhZk^YZciVadc\i]Z
l^YZZcYd[i]ZWdcZ!VhZmeZXiZY!Wjii]Zmalyn omog- hünii omogg^Y\ZlVh
jcYVbV\ZYVcY!h^cXZi]ZgZlVhcdXgVX`^c\[gdbi]ZXdaYh^YZ!]ZhV^Yi]Vi
lZ[VXZY»cddWhiVXaZh¼saadgüi !VcYdjggdVYlVhXaZVgV]ZVY#I]^hcZlh
lVh\gZZiZYl^i]hVi^h[VXi^dc!VcYVXZgiV^cVbdjcid[gZa^Z[#
6aiVc]““¼hbZi]dY^h^chdbZlVnhY^[[ZgZci[gdbi]ViYZhXg^WZYWn:g"
YZcZX]jajjc!VhdbZl]VilZVai]^Zg*%"nZVg"daY]ZgYhbVca^k^c\VWdji(%
`^adbZigZhVlVn^ci]ZXZcigZd[6gWjaV\sum!l]db>XdchjaiZYaViZgi]Vi
bdci]#:gYZcZX]jajjc¼hhX]ZbZlVhbdgZXdbeaZm!VcY>XVcdcanhjbbVg^hZ
^i]ZgZ#HdbZZaZbZcihd[i]ZbZi]dYgZhZbWaZY6aiVc]““¼h0[dgZmVbeaZ!
i]ZhVbZZY\Zhd[i]ZWdcZlZgZYZhXg^WZYVh»XdaY¼VcY»]di¼!VcYXgVX`^c\
[gdbi]ZXdaYh^YZVahd^cY^XViZYb^h[dgijcZ¸heZX^ÄXVaani]ViadhidghidaZc
i]^c\h!ine^XVaana^kZhidX`!l^aacdiWZgZXdkZgZY#6ahd!i]Zl^YZÅViZY\ZVi
i]ZWdiidbd[i]ZWdcZlVhXVaaZYi]Z»]^\]h^YZ¼deed tal VcYXgVX`^c\
]ZgZ[gdbi]Z»]di¼Y^gZXi^dcbZVcidcZldjaYgZXZ^kZcZlhhddc#=dlZkZg!
i]ZgZlZgZVahd^bedgiVciY^kZg\ZcXZh[gdb6aiVc]““¼hVXXdjci#GVi]Zgi]Vc
»ZcXVbebZci¼hot ![dg^chiVcXZ!:gYZcZX]jajjcXVaaZYi]ZhXVejaV¼hhdX`Zi
i]Z»XVjaYgdc¼togoo#CdgY^Y]ZY^k^YZi]ZeZgeZcY^XjaVgg^Y\Z^cid]jbVc
VcYa^kZhidX`odcZhmalyn omog/hünii omogVh6aiVc]““]VYYdcZ#>chiZVY
i]Zl]daZg^Y\ZlVhidWZgZVYVhVh^c\aZ^cY^XVidg^ci]ZXdciZmid[i]Z
eVgi^XjaVghjW_ZXi#;jgi]ZgbdgZ!:gYZcZX]jajjc^cY^XViZYVcjbWZgd[heZX^ÄX
adXVi^dchl^i]bdgZeVgi^XjaVgbZVc^c\h!^cYZeZcYZcid[i]Z]di"XdaYVm^h#
8gVX`^c\d[i]ZcVggdlcZX`dg»XdaaVg¼hüzüü d[i]ZWdcZ^cY^XViZYhidaZc
a^kZhidX`VcY^cZhXVeVWaZ^aacZhh![dgZmVbeaZ!VcYdci]Z»higV^\]igdVY¼!cdi
[Vg[gdbi]Zl^YZZY\Z!]Z^YZci^ÄZYVgZXiVc\jaVgVgZVd[V[ZlhfjVgZXZc"
i^bZigZh^ch^oZi]Vi]ZXVaaZYi]Z»ZcXVbebZci¼hot #8gVX`^c\]ZgZXdjaY
hj\\ZhiYZVi]!eVgi^XjaVgan[dgeZdeaZWdgc^cXZgiV^cnZVgh#
H^b^aVgY^kZg\ZcXZh^cdaliZX]c^fjZVgZZk^YZci^ci]ZbVcnheZX^Va^hi
iZmihdci]ZhjW_ZXii]Vi]VkZWZZc^cX^gXjaVi^dch^cXZi]ZZVganilZci^Zi]
XZcijgnViaZVhi#;^\jgZ(h]dlhVhX]ZbZ[dgi]Z^ciZgegZiVi^dcd[dalXdaaZX"
iZY^c&.(-[gdb>ccZgBdc\da^V#*>i^hdcZd[hZkZgVaY^V\gVbhgZegdYjXZY
Wn7VlYZc&..)P&.*-R^c]^hhijYnd[ildiZmihYZhXg^W^c\dalY^k^cVi^dc!
Vai]dj\]cdi^ihZa[igVchaViZY#>ih]dlhcVbZh[dgY^[[ZgZcieVgihVcY[ZVijgZh
d[i]Zdal!i]Zn]VkZZkdXVi^kZcVbZh¸hjX]Vh»i]ZXdaaVg!¼hüzüüvch»i]Z
[dgZ]ZVYd[_dn¼bayar magnai »i]ZhVYYaZWdl¼emeeliin büüregVcYhddc#
I]ZVccdiVi^dchheZV`d[i]Zongony zam¸i]Zhe^g^ieVi]¸gZkZVaZYWni]Z

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

82 davi d s n eath

Figure 3. Interpretive
plan for dal collected in
Inner Mongolia, 1938.

XgVX`h!VcYd[i]ZbVcnkVg^djhbZVc^c\hd[i]ZbVeeZVg^c\^cY^[[ZgZcieVgih
d[i]ZhXVejaV¸hjX]Vh»\ddY[dgbdkZbZci0WVY[dg^aacZhh0adhii]^c\hl^aa
WZ[djcY¼!dg»>[i]Zedi^h[jaaVaa^h\ddY¼#
I]ZiZmii]ViVXXdbeVc^Zhi]ZY^V\gVbhYZhXg^WZhi]Z7jYY]^hiegVnZgh
idWZbVYZVcYi]ZbZi]dY[dggZVY^c\i]Zdal#EVgihd[i]ZWdcZ]VkZeVg"
i^XjaVgcVbZh·i]ZhdX`Zi^hi]Z»XVjaYgdc¼togoodg»XVjaYgdc¼hbdji]¼VcY
ÄkZVgZVhdci]ZÅVihjg[VXZVgZ^YZci^ÄZYVhi]dhZd[i]Z»ZbeZgdghaan¼!
»adgY¼noyon!d[ÄX^Vatüshmel !»hZa[¼öör !VcYhaVkZbool !gZÅZXi^c\i]Z

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 83

hiVijh]^ZgVgX]nd[egZ"Xdbbjc^hiBdc\da^V#6hZXdcYhZid[ÄkZVgZVhVgZ
^YZci^ÄZYVhi]dhZd[»i]ZZcZbndaisan¼»]ZVkZc¼tenger!»lViZghe^g^ih¼lus!
»egdiZXi^dciveel ¼VcY»i]ZYZeVgiZYnögtssön¼7VlYZc&..)P&.*-R/&''·&'*#
I]^h^hVg^X]anZkdXVi^kZÄZaY!VcYVcZaVWdgViZVcYZci^gZanheZX^ÄX[jcYd[
`cdlaZY\Z^hgZfj^gZYidbV`ZjhZd[^i#

Figure 4. A contemporary
plan for dal in a pamphlet,
Ulaanbaatar 2004.

;^\jgZ)h]dlhVcdi]ZghX]ZbZ[dgdal!i]^hi^bZ[gdbVeg^ciZYeVbe]aZi
YZhXg^W^c\i]ZiZX]c^fjZjhZYWnVBdc\da^VcY^k^cZgüzmerch^c'%%)#>i
iddcVbZh¸^cbjX]aZhhYZiV^a¸ÄkZeVgihd[i]Zh]djaYZgWaVYZl^i]ZkdXV"
i^kZi^iaZh/Burhany Oron gZVabd[\dY0 Lusyn Oron gZVabd[lViZghe^g^ih0
Tengeriin Oron gZVabd[]ZVkZc! Daisny Oron gZVabd[ZcZb^Zh; Erlegiin
Oroni]ZgZVabd[:gaZ\!`^c\d[i]ZYZVY#I]^hiZmi^cXajYZhZaVWdgViZ
gjaZh[dgi]ZhZaZXi^dcd[i]ZXdggZXiineZd[hXVejaVidbViX]i]ZXa^Zcid[
i]ZY^k^cZg!VcYYZhXg^WZhL]^iZVjhe^X^djhVcY7aVX`^cVjhe^X^djhLVnh
zam^cl]^X]i]ZkVg^djheVgihd[i]ZÄZaYXVcWZ^cY^XViZY#
6iÄghi\aVcXZ^iVeeZVghi]Vii]ZhZildlg^iiZchnhiZbhVgZh^b^aVg#BVcn
d[i]ZcVbZh\^kZcideVgihd[i]Zdalhjg[VXZgZhZbWaZZVX]di]Zg¸Wdi]]VkZ
iZgbh[dg»]ZVkZc¼!»i]ZZcZbn¼VcY»lViZghe^g^ih¼^cXdbbdc#7jidcXadhZg
^cheZXi^dc^iWZXdbZhXaZVgi]Vii]ZhX]ZbZhYdcdiXdggZhedcY#I]ZeaVXZ
d[i]ZZcZbn![dgZmVbeaZ!VeeZVgh^cXdbeaZiZanY^[[ZgZciadXVi^dch^ci]Z
ildhX]ZbZh!VhYdZhi]Vid[i]ZlViZghe^g^ih!l]^aZbVcnd[i]ZadXVi^dch

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

84 davi d s n eath

cdiZY^cdcZhX]ZbZYdcdiVeeZVgViVaa^ci]Zdi]ZgVcYiZgb^cdad\^Zh
VcYYZhXg^ei^dchY^[[Zgl^YZan#I]^hkVg^Vi^dc^hcdi_jhiVbViiZgd[Y^[[ZgZci
i^bZhVcYadXVi^dc#7VlYZchijY^ZYildbVcjVahXdaaZXiZYYjg^c\i]ZhVbZ
&.(-ZmeZY^i^dcid>ccZgBdc\da^VVcY[djcYbV_dgY^hXgZeVcX^ZhWZilZZc
i]Zb7dlYZc&..)#
I]ZhZlg^iiZchX]ZbZhVgZY^[[ZgZciV\V^c[gdbi]ZildbZi]dYhYZhXg^WZY
Wn6aiVc]““VcY:gYZcZX]jajjc^c=Žkh\Ža#;dgZmVbeaZ!VeVgi[gdb:g"
YZcZX]jajjcYZhXg^W^c\i]Z]daadlVii]Zided[i]ZWdcZVhi]Z»XVjaYgdc¼
togooVcYYZh^\cVi^c\i]ZZY\ZhVi»]di¼VcY»XdaY¼!VabdhicdcZd[i]Zdi]Zg
YZhXg^ei^kZiZgbhVgZi]ZhVbZVhZ^i]Zgd[i]ZY^V\gVbh#;jgi]ZgbdgZ!i]ZgZ
VgZhdbZed^cihd[Y^gZXiXdcigVY^Xi^dc#:gYZcZX]jajjc]VYZmeaV^cZYi]Vi
^[i]ZgZlZgZXgVX`hVXgdhhi]Z»cZX`¼hüzüü d[i]ZhXVejaVi]ZcVggdlZhi
hZXi^dc_jhiWZadli]ZhdX`Zii]^hlVhdcZd[i]ZaZVhi[VkdjgVWaZh^\ch
Z#\#^ci]ZXVhZd[b^hh^c\Vc^bVah^i^cY^XViZYi]Zn]VYWZZc»aVhhdZY¼VcY
i]ZgZ[dgZhidaZcWndi]Zgh#>ci]Z&.(-iZmi!]dlZkZg!i]ZiZgb[dgi]VieVgi
d[i]ZWdcZ^h»XdaaVg¼hüzüüvchl]^X]]VhhdbZedh^i^kZVhhdX^Vi^dch#I]Z
h^\c^ÄXVcXZ^hZci^gZanY^[[ZgZci¸XgVX`h]ZgZ^cY^XViZi]VieZdeaZl^aagZXdkZg
[gdb^aacZhhZhVcYi]Viadhii]^c\hl^aaWZ[djcY#7jijc^[dgb^ind[hX]ZbV^h
cdiVgZfj^gZbZcid[i]Zdal#:gYZcZX]jajjcaViZgXdbbZciZYi]Vi]^hhnh"
iZbb^\]ilZaaWZY^[[ZgZci[gdbi]ZdcZh>XdjaYÄcY^iWdd`h!Wjii]Vii]^h
lVhidWZZmeZXiZYh^cXZZkZgngZVY^c\kVg^ZYYZeZcY^c\dci]ZeVgi^XjaVg
eZdeaZVcYfjZhi^dchXdcXZgcZY#
D[i]ZhZhnhiZbh!dcani]Vid[6aiVc]““WZVghVcndWk^djhh^b^aVg^i^Zhid
i]ZVXXdjcid[egZ"7jYY]^hii]^giZZci]XZcijgnBdc\dahXVeja^bVcXn\^kZc
WnL^aa^Vbd[GjWgjX`!^cl]^X]aZc\i]lVnhhigV^\]iXgVX`hh]dlZYi]Vii]Z
lVnlVhXaZVgidVXi!l]^aZ]dg^odciVadgX^gXjaVgXgVX`h^cY^XViZYgZVhdch
id]Zh^iViZ9Vlhdc&.**/&+)#Bdhid[i]ZegZhXg^ei^dcha^hiZY^ci]Z&.(%h
bVcjVahVgZ7jYY]^hi!^ci]ZhZchZi]Vii]ZngZXdbbZcYhj^iVWane^djhd["
[Zg^c\h!egVnZghVcYhddc#7jii]ZaVndjid[i]ZdalbZidcnb^XÄZaY^ihZa[
YdZhcdihZZbidgZÅZXiVheZX^ÄXVaan7jYY]^hiad\^X#8dhbdad\^XVai]ZbZh
VeeZVg!Vadc\h^YZi]dhZd[hdX^VahiVijhVcYbjcYVcZdW_ZXihhjX]Vhedih!
VhXjZh[dg^cY^k^YjVaVXihd[^ciZgegZiVi^dcgZ\VgY^c\_djgcZnh!^aacZhhZhVcY
ÄcY^c\i]^c\h#I]^hYdZhcdihZZbidWZVhnhiZbWj^aije[gdbi]Zad\^Xh
dgXdciZcihd[VeVgi^XjaVg7jYY]^hidgegZ"7jYY]^hiXdhbdad\n#>chiZVYi]Z
ZhhZcXZd[i]ZegVXi^XZ^hViZX]c^XVadcZ¸i]^heVgi^XjaVgbZi]dYd[XgZVi^c\
VcdW_ZXihj^iVWaZ[dg^ciZgegZiVi^dcWnigZVi^c\Vh]djaYZgWaVYZd[Vh]ZZe
l^i]ÄgZ!VcYi]ZiZX]c^fjZbVnWZjhZYidbV`ZgVi]ZgY^[[ZgZcibZidcnb^X
ÄZaYh!YZeZcY^c\dci]ZhX]ZbZZbeadnZY#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 85

GZXVaa^c\i]Z^ckdakZbZcid[^bV\^cVi^dc^cVaaeZgXZei^dc!i]Zc!i]ZgZVY^c\
d[VbZidcnb^XÄZaYhjX]Vhi]Zdal^hcdihdbZZmigVdgY^cVgnVXid[]neZg"
^bV\^cVi^dc!WjiVgVi]ZgeVgi^XjaVg^chiVcXZd[i]ZZkZgnYVn^ciZgegZiVi^kZ
gZVY^c\d[dW_ZXih[gdbWjhi^bZiVWaZhidi]Z[VX^VaZmegZhh^dchd[di]Zgh¸Vc
dWhZgkVi^dci]VildjaYVXXdgYl^i]bn^c[dgbVcih¼kZgnZkZgnYVnjhZhd[dal#
I]Zdal^hcdihjggdjcYZYWni]ZVjgVd[i]ZhjeZgcVijgVadghVXgZY0a^iiaZdg
cdi]^c\^hYdcZidbVg`d[[i]ZVXi^k^in[gdbZkZgnYVniVh`h#I]ZhXVejaV^h
gZ[ZggZYidWni]ZhVbZiZgbdal l]Zi]Zg^i^hWZ^c\Wd^aZYje[dghdjedg
jhZY[dgY^k^cVi^dcmergeleh!VcYi]ZY^k^cZg^hcdifjVa^ÄZYWnVcnheZX^Va
hiVijhdi]Zgi]Vci]ZgZejiVi^dc[dgWZ^c\\ddYVigZVY^c\i]Zdal#
I]ZgZVgZ!^c[VXi!YdoZchd[Y^[[ZgZciY^k^cVidgniZX]c^fjZh^cjhZ^c
Bdc\da^V!^cXajY^c\hnhiZbhi]VijhZXd^ch!bViX]Zh!hidcZh!Xd[[ZZ\gdjcYh!
eaVn^c\XVgYh!VcYXVcYaZh#6ai]dj\]i]ZhX]ZbZhVcYeVgi^XjaVgcVggVi^kZ
ZaZbZcih[dgZVX]iZX]c^fjZVgZkZgnY^kZghZ!h^b^aVgeg^cX^eaZhVgZjhZY[dg
Vaad[i]Zb#>cZVX]XVhZVÄZaY^hXgZViZY[gdbl]^X]^c[dgbVi^dc^hgZVYVh
i]ZgZhjaid[VegdXZhhd[YZiZgb^cVi^dcWZndcY]jbVcXdcigda¸hjX]Vhi]Z
[Vaad[hidcZhdgi]ZXgVX`^c\d[]diWdcZ#I]ZiZX]c^fjZh\ZcZgViZVg^X]ÄZaY
d[edhh^W^a^i^Zh[dgZkdXVi^kZVhhdX^Vi^dcVcYcVggVi^kZ!i]ZkVg^Vi^dchdWhZgkZY
WZXdbZeViiZgchi]ViVgZgZVY[dggZaZkVcXZidi]ZfjZhi^dcZg¼hh^ijVi^dc#
I]ZhZgZVY^c\hbVniV`ZhdbZi^bZ!VheViiZgchVcYXdbW^cVi^dchV[[dgYV
kZgnaVg\ZediZci^VacjbWZgd[^cY^XVidgh!ZVX]VXVcY^YViZ[dgbZidcnb^X
h^\c^ÄXVcXZ#I]ZcVggVi^kZd[iZcjhZheVgVWaZ!hdi]Vii]ZL]^iZLVnidi]Z
GZVabd[:gaZ\@]Vc^hVcZkdXVi^kZb^Xgd"cVggVi^kZl]^X]bVnWZgZVYVh
VeVgVWaZ[dgi]ZXaZVg^c\d[igdjWaZhV]ZVYd[i]ZfjZhi^dcZg!VcYhddc#

Conclusion
6h6mZa'%%(/&&.ed^cihdji!^c]^hldg`Imagined Communities6cYZghdc
lVhcdiXdcXZgcZYl^i]l]^X]Xdbbjc^i^ZhVgZ^bV\^cVgnVcYl]^X]»gZVa¼!
h^cXZVaaXdbbjc^i^ZhVgZi]ZegdYjXihd[^bV\^cVi^dc!gVi]Zg]ZlVhXdc"
XZgcZYl^i]i]Zstyle^cl]^X]V\^kZcXdbbjc^inlVh^bV\^cZY#H^b^aVgan!^c
i]Z@Vci^VcigVY^i^dci]ZgZ^hcdgZVhdcidhZeVgViZVXihd[^bV\^cVi^dc[gdb
di]ZgVXihd[Xd\c^i^dc!WjilZbVnignidYZhXg^WZl]Vistylesd[^bV\^cVi^dc
VgZa^c`ZYideVgi^XjaVgiZX]c^XVadeZgVi^dch#6cYl]ZgZVhi]ZhiVgi^c\ed^ci
bVnWZ]Zjg^hi^XVaanadXViZYl^i]^ci]ZiZX]c^XVadeZgVi^dc^ihZa[!WZ^ii]Z
gZVY^c\d[Vdaldgi]Z^aajb^cVi^dcd[Va^\]iWjaW!i]Z^bV\^cVi^kZdjiXdbZh
VgZ^cYZiZgb^cViZ¸l]d`cdlhl]VicVggVi^kZl^aaWZgZkZVaZYWnZ^i]Zg4
;dgBZgaZVj"Edcini]ZXdcXZeid[hinaZgZegZhZciZYi]ZlVn^cl]^X]dcZ
\^kZhbZVc^c\idi]Z[ZVijgZhVcYegZXdcY^i^dchd[i]Za^[ZdcZaZVYh<^abdgZ

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

86 davi d s n eath

'%%*/(%,#I]jhi]ZVgi^hi¼hhinaZ^hVfjVa^ini]Vi]Zdgh]Z^hine^XVaanjcVWaZ
idVgi^XjaViZ!WjicZkZgi]ZaZhheZgkVYZh]^hdg]Zgldg`!\^k^c\^ihZchZVcY
Y^gZXi^dc#+;jgi]ZgbdgZ!^i^hVagZVYnVildg`^ceZgXZei^dc^ihZa[#»EZgXZei^dc
hina^oZhWZXVjhZ^iXVccdi]ZaeWjiidXdchi^ijiZVcYZmegZhhVed^cid[k^Zl¼
BZgaZVj"Edcin&.+-/'(,#>[lZVXXZeii]^hcdi^dcd[hinaZVhdg\Vc^h^c\VcY
h]Ve^c\eZgXZei^dc!lZXVckZgnlZaai]^c`d[^iVhVhigjXijg^c\eg^cX^eaZd[
^bV\^cVi^dc!eVgi^XjaVganVh^bV\^cVi^dc^ci]Zedhi"@Vci^VchZchZi]Vi^i^h
jhZY^ci]Z^cigdYjXi^dcidi]^hheZX^Va^hhjZ^hVeVgid[eZgXZei^dc^ihZa[#
=dlZkZg!jca^`Zi]ZVgi^hi¼hdlcjc^fjZhinaZ!VhBZgaZVj"EdcinYZhXg^WZh
^i!Y^[[ZgZciXdciZmihVcYX^gXjbhiVcXZhZkd`ZY^[[ZgZcihinaZhd[^bV\^cVi^dc
[dgV\^kZcVXidg!VhYdZhZc\V\ZbZcil^i]Y^[[ZgZci\ZcgZhd[a^iZgVijgZdg
]jbdjg#
>ci]ZAZc^c^hik^h^dc!ZaZXig^Xa^\]ilVhbZidcnb^X[dgYZkZadebZci
VcYZca^\]iZcbZci0^[dcZYdjWiZYi]VibdYZgchdX^ZinlVh^ci]ZegdXZhh
d[WZXdb^c\!VcYi]ZYVg`daYYVnhd[deegZhh^dclZgZgZXZY^c\^cidi]Z
eVhi!dcZ]VYdcanidadd`Vii]ZWg^\]ia^\]ihh]^c^c\dji[gdbi]ZXjaijgVa
XZcigZ#I]ZZaZXig^ÄXVi^dcegd\gVbbZlVhYZh^\cZYid\ZcZgViZhXZcVg^dh
i]ViXdjaYWZgZVY^ci]^hlVnl^i]^ci]ZWgdVYZgcVggVi^kZhd[hiViZhdX^Va^hi
bdYZgc^hb#I]Zeda^i^XVacVggVi^kZd[i]ZaZVYZgh]^eVcYi]ZheZXiVXaZd[
ZaZXig^Xa^\]iid\Zi]ZgXdchi^ijiZYViZX]cdad\nd[i]Z^bV\^cVi^dc¸i]Zn
lZgZYZh^\cZYidXdbW^cZidXgZViZi]Zhdgihd[^bV\^cVi^kZeZgXZei^dchd[
i]ZldgaYVcY^ih[jijgZi]ViAZc^c]VYhdedlZg[jaanegdXaV^bZY#7jilVh
i]ZZ[[ZXid[i]^h!VcYVaai]Zdi]ZgX]Vc\Zhlgdj\]iWni]ZbdYZgc^hihiViZ!
idXdadc^hZi]Z^bV\^cVi^dcd[Bdc\da^Vch4I]ZkZgnY^[[ZgZci^bV\^cVi^kZ
hinaZd[hXVeja^bVcXn!Vadc\l^i]di]Zg[dgbhd[Y^k^cVi^dc!XdZm^hiZYl^i]
bdYZgc^hb!VcYh]dlcdh^\chd[Yn^c\dji^cBdc\da^V#EVbe]aZihYZ"
hXg^W^c\Y^k^cVidgniZX]c^fjZhX^gXjaViZl^YZan!VcYVl]daZhZXi^dcd[i]Z
higZZiaZVY^c\idi]ZXVe^iVa¼hbV^cbdcVhiZgn^hdXXje^ZYWngdlhd[`^dh`h
]djh^c\[dgijcZ"iZaaZghd[kVg^djh`^cYh!l]ZgZXa^Zcihd[iZcfjZjZidXdchjai
VcZmeZgid[i]Z^gX]d^XZ#
HdbVcn]VW^ihd[i]Zb^cYldjaY]VkZjheaVXZAZc^c¼ha^\]iVcYhXVej"
a^bVcXndcY^[[ZgZcih^YZhd[kVg^djhY^X]didb^Zh¸bdYZgc^inVcYigVY^i^dc!
bViZg^VaVcYhe^g^ijVa!egZhZciVcY[jijgZ![VXiVcYbni]#7jiVhE^\\&..+
h]dlZY!i]^h»bdYZgc¼eZgXZei^dcd[i]ZldgaY^hcdi^cXdbeVi^WaZl^i]
egVXi^XZhXdbbdcanYZhXg^WZYVhh]VbVc^hb¸i]Zad\^Xhd[i]ZdcZVgZWn
cdbZVchY^heaVXZYWni]Zdi]Zg#LZbVnVh`!i]Zc!]dlVgZi]Z^bV\^cVi^kZ
^beVXihd[i]ZhZildiZX]cdad\^ZhXdcY^i^dcZY!l]ViVgZi]ZbdYZhdghinaZh
Wnl]^X]i]Zn^che^gZediZci^VaVcYedhh^WaZ[jijgZh4>cViiZbei^c\idVchlZg

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 87

i]ZhZfjZhi^dchlZbV`ZVeeVgZciY^[[ZgZcihdgihd[XdcigVhihi]Vci]dhZegZ"
hjbZYWni]ZXaVhh^XVaigVY^i^dcVa$bdYZgcXdcigVhi#>ci]ZXVhZd[dali]ZhVbZ
iZX]c^fjZ^hXZcigVaidi]ZegdYjXi^dcd[gVi]ZgY^[[ZgZcibZidcnb^XÄZaYh#
I]ZhZYdcdigZfj^gZhiVcYVgY^hVi^dcdgXdc[dgb^in!i]ZnbVnY^[[Zg[gdbdcZ
gZVYZgidVcdi]Zg!VcYZVX]XVcWZgZVYid\ZcZgViZVc^cÄc^iZcjbWZgd[cVg"
gVi^kZh^cVchlZgideVgi^XjaVgfjZhi^dch#:aZXig^Xa^\]i!dci]Zdi]Zg]VcY!^h
WjidcZd[VkVhi!Y^kZghZhZg^Zhd[iZX]c^XVa^iZbhi]VilZgZbZVciidWZgZVY
VhbZidcnb^XZbWaZbhd[Vh^c\aZ\gVcYcVggVi^kZ¸bdYZgc^in#
Hdk^ZibdYZgc^hbYZVai^cjc^kZghVaigji]XaV^bhVcYcdi^dchd[XVjhVi^dc
Wnl]^X]egVXi^XZhhjX]VhY^k^cVi^dcVcY[dgijcZ"iZaa^c\gZegZhZciZYi]Z
[VahZegdb^hZhd[»hjeZghi^i^dc¼!idWZgZ[jiZYVadc\h^YZi]ZbdgZZaVWdgViZ
XdcÄYZcXZ"ig^X`d[dg\Vc^hZYgZa^\^dc#7nXdcigVhi!i]Z»hinaZ¼d[dalY^k^cVi^dc
^hcdii]Vid[Vc^YZdad\ndgWZa^Z[hnhiZb!Wji!a^`ZegVXi^XZhYZhXg^WZYVh
h]VbVc^X^cH^WZg^VVcY7jgnVi^V!^hZhhZci^VaanVhZid[bV\^XVaiZX]c^fjZh
gZfj^g^c\cdeZghdcVaXdbb^ibZciidVcnh^c\aZgZa^\^djhXdhbdad\ndg
eda^i^XVa^YZdad\nL^aaZghaZk'%%,/&(-0=jbe]gZn&..-/) &,#6ai]dj\]
bVg\^cVa^hZYWnHdk^Zi^YZdad\n!hjX]egVXi^XZhd[Y^k^cVi^dcY^YcdigZegZ"
hZciVY^gZXiX]VaaZc\Zidi]Zeda^i^XVadgYZg!^ci]ZlVni]Vi^chi^iji^dcVa^hZY
bdcVhi^X7jYY]^hblVh_jY\ZYidWZ#
L]ZgZVhejWa^XgZa^\^djhVXi^k^inlVhVabdhiZci^gZanZa^b^cViZYYjg^c\
i]ZHdk^ZiZgV!Xdci^cj^c\^chZXgZi^[ViVaa!dalY^k^cVi^dcgZbV^cZYVedej"
aVgVcYgZaVi^kZandeZcegVXi^XZ#>ideZgViZY^ci]ZgZ\^hiZgd[eg^kViZgVi]Zg
i]VcejWa^Xigji]h!h`ZiX]^c\edhh^WaZdjiXdbZh^ci]ZeZghdcVacVggVi^kZhd[
hZakZh!i]Z^gVcm^Zi^Zh!]deZhVcYgZaVi^dchl^i]di]Zgh#6hViZX]c^fjZl^i]dji
l^YZg^YZdad\^XVaXaV^bh!i]ZhinaZd[^bV\^cZY[jijgZhi]VihjX]Y^k^cVi^dc
Zc\ZcYZgZYY^YcdiXdbeZiZY^gZXianl^i]i]Z\gVcYcVggVi^kZd[Hdk^Zibd"
YZgc^hb0^ihigji]"XaV^bhlZgZbdgZadXVaVcYeVgi^XjaVg#7jii]Z^bV\^cVi^kZ
edhh^W^a^i^Zhi]ViY^k^cVi^dc^bea^ZhVgZcdicZXZhhVg^anbdgZa^b^iZYi]Vc
i]dhZd[bdYZgc^hb#;dgZiZaa^c\i]Z[jijgZ^bea^ZhZmigV"bjcYVcZegdXZhhZh
d[XVjhVi^dcVcY[ViZi]ViidhdbZYZ\gZZgZÅZXia^[Z¼hbnhiZg^Zhh^cXZi]ZnVgZ
cdi^bbZY^ViZanVeeVgZci!dggZVY^anZmeaV^cVWaZjh^c\i]ZejWa^XanYdb^cVci
hnhiZbhd[`cdlaZY\Z#6hVc^bV\^cVi^kZhinaZ!Y^k^cVi^dcbVnWZZbeadnZY
Vadc\h^YZ\gVcYcVggVi^kZhhjX]Vhi]Vid[bdYZgc^hb!l^i]djicZXZhhVg^an
gV^h^c\i]ZfjZhi^dcd[XdbbZchjgVW^a^in#Hd!XVgY"XVggn^c\bZbWZghd[i]Z
Hdk^Zi"hinaZBdc\da^VcEZdeaZ¼hGZkdaji^dcVgnEVginldjaYXdchjaidalZkZc
^ci]ZYVnhd[Hdk^Zi]^\]bdYZgc^hb!VcY6aiVc]““lVh]^bhZa[VbdYZa
]ZgYhbVc^ci]ZYVnhd[i]ZadXVaXdaaZXi^kZnegdel l]dldcVhiViZ"[jcYZY
ig^eidBdhXdl^ci]Z&.+%h[dg]^hZmZbeaVgnldg`#9^[[ZgZcihinaZhdg^bV\^"

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

88 davi d s n eath

cVi^kZgZ\^hiZghVgZ^bea^ZYWndalY^k^cVi^dcVcYi]ZiZX]cdad\^ZhVhhdX^ViZY
l^i]bdYZgc^hb!Wjii]^hY^YcdibV`Zi]Zb^cXdbeVi^WaZ#
DcgZÅZXi^dci]Ze]gVhZ»Xdadc^hVi^dcd[i]Z^bV\^cVi^dc¼YdZhcdihZZb
VeVgi^XjaVganXdck^cX^c\[dgbjaVi^dc#LZXVc!d[XdjghZ!gZXd\c^hZi]Vi
hdbZi]^c\a^`Zi]^hegdXZhh]VhiV`ZceaVXZdkZgi]ZaVhihZkZcinnZVgh#Bd"
YZgc^hii]dj\]i]VhWZXdbZ[jcYVbZciVaidi]ZjcYZghiVcY^c\d[i]ZldgaY
^cBdc\da^V!Vh^chdbjX]d[i]Z\adWZ#6ii]ZaZkZad[eVgVWaZ¸bZiV"
cVggVi^dcVadkZgVgX]^c\^ciZgegZiVi^dc¸i]Z\gVcYk^h^dchhjX]VhbdYZgc^in
VeeZVgedlZg[jaVcYidiVa^h^c\#I]ZhZVgZi]Z^ciZgegZiVi^dchi]VihZZbid
WZ^bea^ZYWnV]jcYgZYdi]Zghidg^Zh![gdbhl^iX]^c\dci]Za^\]i"WjaWid
Wdd`^c\VcV^gXgV[ii^X`Zi#
7jii]^hhZZbhVgVi]ZgeVgi^VaVXXdjci0WZXVjhZlZVgZVahd[VXZYl^i]
i]Zg^X]Y^kZgh^ind[di]ZgcVggVi^kZ\ZcgZhVcYbZidcnb^XÄZaYh#CdcZd[
i]ZbcZZYY^heaVXZi]Zdi]Zgh#>cJaVVcWVViVg!i]ZXVe^iVad[Bdc\da^V!lZ
bVnZc\V\Zl^i]hZkZgVad[i]ZbWZ[dgZk^h^i^c\VY^k^cZg[Vbdjh[dgjh^c\
V»bdYZgc¼iZX]c^XVaYZk^XZ·VedX`ZiXVaXjaVidg"idiZaa[dgijcZh!,VcYVaa
i]Zl]^aZZmeZg^ZcX^c\»AZc^c¼ha^\]i¼Vhi]Z\adld[bdYZgc^in#
I]ZbZiVe]dgd[Xdadc^hVi^dc^bea^ZhVWdjcYZYheVXZWZ^c\ÄaaZYje
l^i]eVgi^XjaVg^YZdad\^Zh0WjidcZd[i]ZfjVa^i^Zhd[^bV\^cVi^dci]Vi^hVe"
eVgZci]ZgZ^hi]ZhZZb^c\ana^b^iaZhhXVeVX^in[dgZaVWdgVi^dcVcYVYY^i^dc#
>bV\^cVi^kZZc\V\ZbZci^hg^X]VcYgZlVgY^c\!VcZcY^c^ihZa[#>ci]^hhZchZ
^i^hgZb^c^hXZcid[BZgaZVj"Edcin¼h&.+)/&+*cdi^dcd[k^h^dcVh»VbZVch
l]^X]^ckZcih^ihdlcZcYh¼!^bV\^cVi^dc^hcdidcanVc^chigjbZcid[eZg"
XZei^dcVcYVci^X^eVi^dc!^i\ZcZgViZh^ihdlc\dVahVcYbdi^kVi^dch#GVi]Zg
i]VcgZ\VgY^c\^iVhVcdi]ZggZVab^cl]^X]idbVeXdcfjZhiVcYYdb^cVcXZ!
lZbVnÄcY^ibdgZgZlVgY^c\idZmeadgZi]ZlVnh^cl]^X]lZVgZVWaZid
ZmeVcYdjgk^hiVhi]gdj\]i]Zbjai^ea^XVi^dcd[^bV\^cVi^kZhinaZh#

Notes
&# =ZgZ>jhZi]ZiZgbbdYZgc^hbid^cY^XViZV\ZcZgVa^YZdad\^XVadg^ZciVi^dcidlVgYh
»bdYZgc^in^c^ihbVcn\j^hZh·[VhX^hi!hdX^Va^hiVcYXVe^iVa^hi¼KZgYZgn'%%'/'%#
I]^h gZÅZXih i]Z Xdbbdc ]Zg^iV\Z d[ Wdi] AZc^c^hb VcY a^WZgVa^hb! »i]Z WZa^Z[!
^che^gZYWnbdYZgchX^ZcXZ!^ci]Z^cÄc^iZegd\gZhhd[`cdlaZY\ZVcY^ci]Z^cÄc^iZ
VYkVcXZidlVgYhhdX^VaVcYbdgVaWZiiZgbZci#¼=VWZgbVh&..%/()'#
'# Odoo mönkhiin zultai bolj gyalaij#H^cXZi]ZkZgWgyalaikhbZVchidWZ]VeenWjiVahd
bZVchidh]^cZ!\a^iiZgdgheVg`aZ!i]Z:c\a^h]iZgb»YZa^\]iZY¼hZZbhVcVeegdeg^ViZ
igVchaVi^dc#
(# I]ZhZgdj\]anXdggZhedcYidi]ZXViZ\dg^Zhi]Vi8Vhhdc&.-(YZhXg^WZhVh»dW_ZXi
hX]ZbViV¼!»ZkZcihX]ZbViV¼»bZiVe]dg¼VcY»cVggVi^kZ¼^cXd\c^i^kZVci]gdedad\n#
)# >jhZbZidcnbngVi]Zgi]VcbZiVe]dgh^cXZi]^hegdXZhhXdcXZgchh^\chgVi]Zgi]Vc

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

Reading the Signs by Lenin’s Light 89

hnbWdah!VcYVhAZVX]Vg\jZh&.,+/&*h^\chhZZbidbdgZgZVY^anXdggZhedcYid
bZidcnb^XgVi]Zgi]VcbZiVe]dg^XVhhdX^Vi^dc#
*# ;dggZVhdchd[Xdch^hiZcXn!]ZgZ>gZcYZgVaaBdc\da^VcldgYhVhigVcha^iZgViZY[gdb
i]Z^gXjggZci8ng^aa^XheZaa^c\!gVi]Zgi]Vc]Vk^c\id^cigdYjXZY^[[ZgZciheZaa^c\h[dg
ldgYhdg^\^cVaanVeeZVg^c\^ci]ZXaVhh^XVahXg^ei#
+# I]ZVji]dg^h\gViZ[jaiddcZd[i]ZVcdcnbdjhgZk^ZlZghd[i]^heVeZg[dg]^hdg]Zg
ZmigZbZan]Zae[jaXdbbZcihdci]^hed^ci#
,# BdgiZcEZYZghZc]VhbVYZVhijYnd[i]^hY^k^cVi^dciZX]c^fjZVhVhjW_ZXi[dgV
[jijgZejWa^XVi^dc#

References
6ilddY! 8]g^hide]Zg E# '%%)# Encyclopedia of Mongolia and the Mongol Empire# CZl
Ndg`/;VXihdc;^aZ#
6mZa!7g^Vc#'%%(#EdkZgind[i]Z>bV\^cVi^dc#Anthropological Quarterly!,+&/&&&·&((#
7VlYZc!8]VgaZhG#&..)P&.*-R#Dci]ZEgVXi^XZd[HXVeja^bVcXnVbdc\i]ZBdc\dah#
>cConfronting the Supernatural: Mongolian Traditional Ways and Means!ZY^iZYWn8#
7VlYZc#LZ^hWVYZc/=VggVhhdl^ioKZgaV\#
7^gV!H]#'%%&#Mongolyn Tüüh, Soyol, Tüüh Bichlegiin Sudalgaa Studies in Mongolian His-
tory, Culture and Historiography#JaVVcWVViVg/>ciZgegZhh#
8Vhhdc!GdcVaYL#&.-(#HX]ZbViV^c8d\c^i^kZ6ci]gdedad\n#Annual Review of An-
thropology!&'/)'.·)+'#
9Vlhdc!8]g^hide]Zg#&.**#The Mongol Mission: Narratives and Letters of the Franciscan
Missionaries in Mongolia and China in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries.Adc"
Ydc$CZlNdg`/H]ZZYLVgY#
9^ZbWZg\Zg!=^aYZ\VgY#'%%*#;ZbVaZDgVXaZh^cBdYZgcI^WZi#>cWomen in Tibet!ZY^iZY
Wn?VcZi<nVihd=VccV=VkcZk^`!ee&&(·&+-#CZl9Za]^/;djcYVi^dc7dd`h#
;Zg\jhdc!?VbZh#&..%#The Anti-Politics Machine: ‘Development’, Depoliticization and Bu-
reaucratic Power in Lesotho#B^ccZVeda^h/Jc^kZgh^ind[B^ccZhdiVEgZhh#
—. &...#Expectations of Modernity: Myths and Meanings of Urban Life on the Zambian
Copperbelt#7Zg`ZaZn/Jc^kZgh^ind[8Va^[dgc^VEgZhh#
<^aWZg\!Gda[?Vc"Dad[HkVciZhhdc#&..+#I]ZBdc\dah!I]Z^gAVcYVcY=^hidgn#>c
Mongolia in Transition: New Patterns, New Challenges, ZY^iZY Wn DaZ 7gjjc  DaZ
DY\VVgY#CdgY^X>chi^ijiZd[6h^VcHijY^Zh!HijY^Zh^c6h^VcIde^Xh!Cd#''#G^X]"
bdcY/8jgodcEgZhh#
=VWZgbVh!?“g\Zc#&..%P&.-&R#BdYZgc^inKZghjhEdhibdYZgc^in#>cCulture and Society:
Contemporary Debates!ZY^iZYWn?Z[[gZn8#6aZmVcYZgHiZkZcHZ^YbVc#8VbWg^Y\Z/
8VbWg^Y\ZJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
=©_Zg!AVgh#'%%)#I]Z6ci^"HdX^Va8dcigVXi/:cb^inVcYHjhe^X^dc^cCdgi]ZgcBdc"
\da^V#Cambridge Anthropology,')(/)&·+(#
=daWgVVY!BVgi^c#'%%,#GdjaZiiZ6ci]gdedad\n/I]ZL]daZ7ZndcY=da^hb#Journal of
the Finnish Anthropological Society,(''/'.·),#
=jbe]gZn!8Vgda^cZ#&.-(#Karl Marx Collective: Economy, Society and Religion in a Sibe-
rian Collective Farm!8VbWg^Y\Z/8VbWg^Y\ZJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
—. &..-#Marx Went Away but Karl Stayed Behind#6cc6gWdg/Jc^kZgh^ind[B^X]^\Vc
EgZhh#
—. '%%,#>ch^YZVcYDjih^YZi]ZB^ggdg/Bdc\da^VcH]VbVch¼B^ggdghVh>chigjbZcih
d[EZgheZXi^k^hb#Inner Asia!.'/&,(·&.+#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)

90 davi d s n eath

?d]chdc!BVg`#&.-,#The Body in the Mind: The Bodily Basis of Meaning, Imagination and
Reason#8]^XV\d/8]^XV\dJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
AZVX]!:YbjcYG#&.,+#Culture and Communication: The Logic by Which Symbols are Con-
nected#8VbWg^Y\Z/8VbWg^Y\ZJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
AZc^c!KaVY^b^g#&.++. V. I. Lenin: Collected Works, Vol. 31, April–December 1920!ZY^iZYVcY
igVchaViZYWn?ja^jh@VioZg#BdhXdl/Egd\gZhhEjWa^h]Zgh#
AZl^h!8#H#&.()#The Allegory of Love#Dm[dgY/Dm[dgYJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
BVg\a^c!;g‚Y‚g^fjZHiZe]Zc6#BVg\a^cZYh#&..%#Dominating Knowledge: Develop-
ment Culture and Resistance.Dm[dgY/8aVgZcYdc#
BZgaZVj"Edcin!BVjg^XZ#&.+)#:nZVcYB^cY#>cThe Primacy of Perception and Other Es-
says on Phenomenological Psychology, and Philosophy of Art, History and Politics!ZY^iZY
Wn?VbZh:Y^Z!ee#&*.·&.%#:kVchidc/Cdgi]lZhiZgcJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
—. &.+-#The Visible and the Invisible#:kVchidc/Cdgi]lZhiZgcJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
E^ZiZghZ!?VcC#7]^`]jEVgZ`]ZYh#&..*#The Decolonization of Imagination: Culture,
Knowledge and Power. AdcYdc/OZY7dd`h#
E^\\!HiVXnA#&..+#I]Z8gZY^WaZVcYi]Z8gZYjadjh/I]ZFjZhi^dcd[»K^aaV\Zgh7Za^Z[h¼
^cCZeVa#Cultural Anthropology!&&'/&+%·'%&#
Hhdg^c"8]V^`dk!C^XdaV^ZY##'%%+#Dary Vozhdiam: Gifts to Soviet Leaders#:m]^W^i^dc
XViVad\jZd[i]ZHiViZBjhZjbd[i]ZBdhXdl@gZba^ce#'&*#BdhXdl/E^cV"
`di]Z`Z#
HiVi^hi^XVa D[ÄXZ d[ Bdc\da^V# &..(# Mongolyn Ediin Zasag, Niigem 1992. Bdc\da^Vc
:XdcdbnVcYHdX^Zin^c&..'#JaVVcWVViVg/?#A#9#<jgkVa#
IjgcZg!BVg`#&..+#The Literary Mind: The Origins of Thought and Language#CZlNdg`/
Dm[dgYJc^kZgh^inEgZhh#
KZgYZgn!@Vi]Zg^cZ#'%%'#L]^i]ZgEdhihdX^Va^hb#>cPostsocialism: Ideals, Ideologies and
Practices in Eurasia!ZY^iZYWn8]g^h=Vcc!ee#&*·'-#AdcYdc$CZlNdg`/Gdji"
aZY\Z#
L^aaZghaZk!GVcZ#'%%,#Soul Hunters: Hunting, Animism, and Personhood among the Siberian
Yukaghirs#7Zg`ZaZn/Jc^kZgh^ind[8Va^[dgc^VEgZhh#

eth nos, vol. 74:1, marc h 200 9 (pp. 72–9 0)