Shamanism is a primitive religion that worships ancestors, totems, and nature. Its followers believe that all things in the world possess a spirit, and that certain individuals can communicate with the spirits of other species. These individuals are known as "shamans."
When Temujin was conquering the various Mongol tribes, shamans would tell the local people in every place he reached that Temujin was the representative of Tengri, the Eternal Blue Sky, sent to deliver them. With the help of the shamans, Temujin quickly unified the Mongol tribes. The shamanic wizard of that time, Kokochu, represented Tengri at the Kurultai and bestowed upon Temujin the title of Genghis Khan. From that moment on, the Mongol Great Khan possessed legal legitimacy.
During the late years of the Jiajing era, the Mongol Tumed tribe grew in strength. Its leader, Altan Khan, fought against the Great Ming to the south, the Uriankhai to the north, and the Oirats to the west, forcing the reigning Mongol Great Khan, Darisung, to move east toward the Liao River valley. With these achievements to his name, Altan began to style himself Khan. However, his claim lacked theoretical support; he could not legally replace the Mongol Great Khan. He could conquer the tribes of the steppe, but he could not conquer their hearts, let alone ensure long-term stability. Altan was deeply troubled by this.
Chapter 751