Kierstin Lothe

The Story of Abagai & Zhi

There once was a Mongol woman named Abagai. Her

and her husband were both a part of the Jurkin clan.

Her and all other Mongol women were very important to the

government, and were nearly always involved in important decisions within the Empire.

If Abagai wanted to, she had every right to leave her husband and become independent. She could also own land if she so

desired.

Also, Abagai was a part of the military. Women did not only

nurse and cook for soldiers, the also partook in the battles if they

desired to.

Abagai was also free to pursue whichever religion she preferred; as were all

other Mongols

However…..In China there lived a woman named Zhi, who

partook in a traditional Chinese woman’s lifestyle. Her husband and their one son were

a traditional Chinese family.

Zhi’s husband had complete authority over her and her son. She didn’t speak much; her main priority was to keep her husband happy and her family well kept.

Women were not allowed to do much under Chinese tradition,

but they were sometimes allowed to have small social

gatherings.

Women also partook in the practice of foot binding, which is the process of tightly binding the foot as a child so their feet

appear smaller, because it was thought to be beautiful, and the more beautiful a Chinese women appeared, the better. Beauty was a very important aspect of Chinese culture.

Zhi was also restricted from higher authority such as public

office

However, women were allowed to get an education. Depending on how well educated they become, they typically

were in charge of teaching their children during their early ages.

Eventually, the Mongol Empire moved into China and influenced women’s legal rights; the Mongol’s moving in

is what caused Abagai and Zhi to officially meet.

Their families became very close, and Abagai and her husband

helped Zhi and her family adapt to the new freedom.

Zhi’s life was completely changed after the Mongol invasion, but mostly due to Abagai and her husband. Her, and all the

other chinese women’s new freedom made their lives so much better and they remained the best of friends for the

rest of their lives.

THE END!