Mongolian Fire Worship Education in the 21st Century: Preservation, Transformation, and Digital Integration

Mongolian fire worship, a vital component of Mongolia’s intangible cultural heritage, has historically served as both a spiritual practice and an educational medium, transmitting ethical values, social norms, and cultural knowledge across generations. In the 21st century, this tradition faces significant challenges due to urbanization, declining youth participation, and limited institutional support, which threaten its continuity. Concurrently, modern educational initiatives and digital technologies offer innovative pathways for preserving, transforming, and disseminating fire worship practices. This review synthesizes research on Mongolian fire worship education, examining historical origins, traditional pedagogical roles, contemporary preservation strategies, educational transformations, and the integration of digital tools such as virtual and augmented reality, online repositories, and social media platforms. The analysis highlights the complementary nature of preservation, transformation, and digital integration, emphasizing the need to balance authenticity with accessibility, pedagogical innovation, and technological engagement. The review concludes with recommendations for policymakers, educators, and digital developers, as well as future research directions, including longitudinal studies, cross-cultural comparisons, and AI-assisted cultural preservation. By combining traditional practice with modern educational and digital approaches, Mongolian fire worship can remain a dynamic and meaningful component of cultural education, fostering intergenerational knowledge transmission, national identity, and global cultural awareness.