The Mongol spiritual universe was a crowded place, populated by gods and spirits beyond number. Trees, rocks, mountains, rivers, and animals were all full of spirits. The spirits of ancestors hovered around the families they left behind. Whenever a Mongol fell ill, one or more of these spirits had to be appeased. When an undertaking of any importance was on the drawing board, gods and spirits had to be consulted and their support enlisted.

Literally, no aspect of daily life was exempt from at least a passing acknowledgment that the gods and spirits were watching. When a new flask of kumiss was opened, the first drink was offered to the gods; before the first morsel of food was eaten, a portion was set aside for the gods. At a special place behind the fire pit, each ger had a shrine...