The document describes the differences in women's rights and lifestyles between Mongol and Chinese women during the Mongol Empire. Mongol women like Abagai had significant legal rights and independence, could own property, participate in government and military, and choose their own religion. In contrast, Chinese women like Zhi had few rights and their main role was to serve their husbands and keep house. However, after the Mongol invasion of China, Chinese women's rights expanded under Mongol influence, and Abagai helped Zhi and her family adapt to the new freedoms.

1. Kierstin Lothe

2. There once was a Mongol woman
named Abagai. Her and her
husband were both a part of the
Jurkin clan.

3. Her and all other Mongol women were
very important to the government, and
were nearly always involved in
important decisions within the Empire.

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

5. 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.

6. Abagai was also free to pursue
whichever religion she
preferred; as were all other
Mongols

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Women were not allowed to do much
under Chinese tradition, but they were
sometimes allowed to have small social
gatherings.

10. 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.

11. Zhi was also restricted from higher
authority such as public office

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. Their families became very close, and
Abagai and her husband helped Zhi and
her family adapt to the new freedom.

15. 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.

16. THE END!