MONGOLIAN CULTURE
Mongolia is a land-locked country situated in Asia, surrounded by plains and bordered by Russia and China, three mountain ranges, and the Gobi desert to the south. Mongolians speak Mandarin or Mongolian which has different dialects, the most common are Uighur, written vertically or Kazakh. There are 3.027million people living in Mongolia. Although the common thought of Mongolia is living in rural areas and in the countryside with no or little connection with others, Mongolia, especially the Capital, Ulaanbaatar, is quite urbanised.
Around 500 BCE, a tribe of nomadic people called the Mongols lived in Asia. The Mongols were traders and herdsmen. They herded sheep and traded horses with the Chinese and Persians.
In the summer, they would move with their herds across Asia, looking for land. They used dogs to help them herd the cattle. Archaeologists have found rock paintings that show nomads and dogs protecting their sheep.
The ancient Mongols are sometimes called “The Felt Tent People” because their homes were round tents made of felt.
Mongolian cuisine primarily consists of dairy products, meat, and animal fats. The most common dish is cooked mutton. In the city, steamed dumplings filled with meat - "buuz", is popular.
Most Mongolians are Buddhist or are non-religionist. Mongols are greatly influenced by the Chinese and Tibetan, hence reflecting on the main religion.
The Mongols have a nomadic way of life. An old Mongolian saying quotes, “Keep breakfast for yourself, share lunch with your friend and give dinner to your enemy". Mongols are big tea drinkers, which reflects on their nomadic way of life. Almost half of the population live in yurts. (or Gers as the native people call it) Yurts are literally moveable homes. Although they may seem uncomfortable, they are actually quite comfortable. When the camel or horses run out of pasture to feed on, the yurts can be folded up and transported via camel or horse.
Although many people think that Mongolia is just built up my one ethnic group, the Mongols, there are at least 20, of which the biggest is Khalkha Mongol.
There are two big festivals in Mongolia, the Naadam Festival, and Tsaagaan Sar.
The Naadam Festival consists of the “three manly sports” - wrestling, horse riding and archery. There are also festivities, dancing, singing and socializing. This event is celebrated all over Mongolia, with the main one taken in Ulaanbaatar – the capital.
Tsaagaan Sar, the “white moon” is celebrated at the Lunar New Year. It is a tradition to climb a sacred mountain on the first day of the New Year, to welcome the first morning of the New Year on the mountain peak. On the next three days, Mongolians visit their relatives and friends and have traditional food and drinks.
Horse riding is a fundamental part of Mongolian nomadic culture. A saying goes that “A Mongolian without a horse is like a bird without wings”. The country is also referred to as the “Land of the Horsemen”, and horses outnumber people in Mongolia.
By Joshua Soon
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By Joshua Soon
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