Until Khan united them, the Mongols lived in separate tribes in the northern plains. During this period, the northern plains were inhabited by five nomadic tribal confederations, the Naimans, the Merkits, the Tatars, the Khamag Mongols and the Keraites. In the 12th century, these prominent tribes were in constant conflict, often resorting to revenge attacks and plundering until Genghis Khan united them to conform the Mongol Empire.
