Joujan

The Joujan (also Rou-ruan, Juan-juan, Jwen-jwen, Jeu-jen or Geougen) were a union of Central Asian nomadic tribes, who established a centralized state in the territory of Mongolia in the early 5th century CE, drawing together the remnants of the XIONGNU and SIANBE states. The name "Joujan" first appears in historical accounts beginning in the 4th century CE; towards the beginning of the 5th century CE Sheluni rose to power from among the Joujan nobles and managed to subjugate the neighbouring states, proclaiming himself "Deu'dei Xagan" in 402 CE.

From their capital in the Xangai Mountains, the Joujan administered a vast territory extending from Lake Baikal to the Great Gobi and from Karashar to Korea, retaining the traditional administrative division and decimal system of their predecessors. After the death of Sheluni, the Joujan state continued to exist for a further 140 years, collapsing in 555 due to internal strife and the uprising of the Turkish tribes.

The Joujan used the same alphabet as the XIONGNU and SIANBE; there is evidence that they also used Chinese in their external communications. Like the other nomads of Central Asia, the Joujan practised shamanism and worshipped the sky and Earth, but during the later stage of their rule BUDDHISM flourished and was made the official state religion.

The customs of the Joujan were similar to those of the Sianbe. As many of the Joujan's customs and statehood traditions were picked up by subsequent Mongolian nomads, the Joujan are considered to share the same origins, history and culture as the Mongol people.

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