This poem was written in the historical backdrop of the Mongol Empire (1206-1368). During this era, there was a pertinent need to a myriad of meat products to both their food and drink such as sheep, goat and camels. There was a wide range of influence from many different parts of Asia and countries like Turkey where spices like pepper and saffron was adopted into the Mongol Empire and used in many recipes. Additionally, the culture of the Mongol Era was one of great feasts, celebrated with many drinks and food. 

In my poem, I will be channeling Genghis Khan who was the founder of the first Great Khan and Mongol Era after he united many of the nomadic tribes in Northeast Asia. The drink he will be consuming is ‘Tiger Bone Liquor’, as it has many supposed healing benefits from the feline bones and regulated arthralgia, wind fixation and numbness pain. He drinks it in the hopes of becoming stronger and defeating his enemies. 

My Antidote Tiger Liquor

Echoes of weakness torment me

I must remain strong to conquer greater lands

I must remain strong to command greater armies

Feed me the bones of those feline creatures

For I cannot remain weak when the swords attack me

 

During our great feasts, I want to reign supreme

Pass me the sacred tiger liquor

Brewed for the past 8 years to release my excessive hubris

Feed me the bones of those feline creatures

For I cannot remain weak when the swords attack me

 

I have slain our enemies

And conquered greater territories for our empire

Feed me the blood of those feline creatures

For I want to celebrate my victory

as the panacea for my aggression

 

 

 

References:

Husihui., Buell, Paul D., Anderson, E. N., and Perry, Charles. A Soup for the Qan : Chinese Dietary Medicine of the Mongol Era as Seen in Hu Sihui’s Yinshan Zhengyao : Introduction, Translation, Commentary, and Chinese Text 2nd rev. and expanded ed. Leiden, the Netherlands: Brill, 2010. 138-42, 144-47.