Merkit

Mergid Three Mergids
Мэргид, Гурван Мэргид
nomadic confederacy
11th century–1200
Mongol Empire c.1207
Capital		Not specified
Languages		Middle Mongol
Religion		Shamanism
Government		Elective monarchy
		Togtoa (2nd)
Historical era		Post-classical Central Asia
•	Established	11th century
•	Disestablished	1200
Preceded by Succeeded by [[Liao dynasty]] Proto-Mongols Mongol Empire
Today part of		Mongolia  Russia (Buryatia)

The Merkit (Mongolian: Мэргид, lit. "skillful/wise ones") was one of the five major tribal confederations (khanlig) of probably Turkic peoples later Mongolized in the 12th century Mongolian Plateau.

The Merkits lived in the basins of the Selenga and lower Orkhon River (modern south Buryatia and Selenge Province). After a struggle of over 20 years, they were defeated in 1200 by Genghis Khan and were incorporated into the Mongol Empire.

The word Merged (мэргэд) is a plural form derived from the Mongolian word mergen (мэргэн), which means both "wise" and "skillful marksperson", as in adept in the use of bow and arrow. The word is also used in many phrases in which it connotes magic, oracles, divination, augury, or religious power. Mongolian language has no clear morphological or grammatical distinction between nouns and adjectives, so mergen may mean "a sage" as much as "wise" or mean "skillful" just as much as "a master." Merged becomes plural as in "wise ones" or "skillful markspeople". In the general sense, mergen usually denotes someone who is skillful and wise in their affairs.

The Mergeds were a confederation of three tribes, inhabiting the basin of the Selenga and Orkhon Rivers.

The Merkits were related to the Mongols, Naimans, Keraites, and Khitan people.

Temüjin's mother Hoelun, originally from the Olkhonud, had been engaged to the Merkit chief Yehe Chiledu by 1153. She was abducted by Temüjin's father Yesugei, while being escorted home by Yehe Chiledu.

...
Wikipedia