The Great Dark Horde is an independent "household" (a social sub-group or quasi-fraternal organization) within the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), a historical reenactment group founded with the aim of studying and recreating pre-17th century Western European cultures and their histories.

According to Yang himself in a song he wrote describing the incident, he was hailed as the Khakhan of the Horde because while en route to that event he and his friends stopped at a bike shop that was having a sale on sheepskin biker's vests.

[4] Although the Dark Horde is particularly interested in the historical aspects of pre-1650 Mongol culture, some members have personae of Slavic, Middle Eastern, Viking, Celtic, Cherokee, German, Japanese, and Chinese origins, among others.

They did not impose their belief systems, customs, or mores on subjugated peoples, nor even much care how they lived or whom they worshiped, as long as they were prompt with required tributary payments and did not try to rebel.

[5] Members of the Great Dark Horde are held to ideals of self-discipline, honor, and the pursuit of perfection; equality and respect for each person, regardless of race, sex, age, or allegiance; and camaraderie and friendship.