 About Mongolia: Mongolia situated in the heart of Asia. Mongolia is the country of grass of the steppes, sand dunes, mountains. Mongolia is a land of nomadizm. Mongolia is the country of blue sky. Mongolia is a remarkable sunny country enjoying 250 sunny days a year. Come to Mongolia with Legend tour and find out what Mongolian hospitality means. You will be welcomed to share the nomad’s fire and food. Capital Ulaanbaatar (Ulaanbaator, Ulaan-Baator, Ulan-Bator). 650.000 inhabitants. Location Completely landlocked between two large neighbors – Russian Federation and China. It was immeasurably bigger during the period of Mongol conquest under Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan. Until the 20th century Mongolia was twice its present size and included a large chunk of Siberia and Inner Mongolia (now controlled by China). Territory Mongolia is ranked as the seventh largest country in Asia and the 18th largest in the world. Mongolia covers an area of 603,899 square miles (1,564,100 sq. km.), larger than the overall combined territory of Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy. Mongolia is the largest land-locked country. Mongolia lies between 87° 44′E and 119° 56′E longitude and between 41° 35′-44′N and 52° 09′N latitude in the North of Central Asia. The territory of Mongolia extends 1,486 miles (2,392 km.) from the Mongol Altai Mountains in the West to the East and 782 miles (1,259 km.) from the Soyon mountain ranges in the North to the Gobi desert in the South. The nearest body of ocean connected water to Mongolia is the Yellow Sea, 435 miles (700 km.) away in the East. Boundaries Mongolia is bordered with Russian Federation to the North, China to the East, South and West. Its total borderline is 5,072 miles (8,162 km.) long, 2,166 miles (3,485 km.) of which is with Russian Federation and 2,906 miles (4,677 km.) is with China. Climate Mongolia’s climate is extremely continental. The high central Asian mountain ranges surrounding Mongolia on practically all sides form a formidable barrier against the humid masses of air moving from the Atlantic and the Pacific, thus establishing the dominance of a continental climate in Mongolia. The typical climatic features are sharp temperature fluctuations with the maximum annual amplitudes reaching 90°C in Ulaanbaatar. Even the daily temperature may fluctuate by 20°C-30°C. The coldest month is January. In some regions, for instance in the northern part of the Khuvsgul aimag, the temperature drops to between -45°C and -52°C. Average winter: -24°C. The hottest month is July. On the greater part of Mongolian territory the air temperature rises to 20°C. In the south it is as high as 25°C-30°C. Average summer: +20°C. The mean annual precipitation is 200 – 300mm of which 80 to 90 per cent falls within five months (May to September). Mongolia is the land of winds and especially sharp winds blow in spring. In the Gobi and steppe areas winds often develop into devastating storms, reaching a velocity of 15-25 meters per seconds. Climate. Geographical features One of the highest countries in the world with one of Eurasia’s highest capitals. Mountains (40%) and rolling plateaus with vast semi-desert and desert plains in the center and a desert zone in the south. Average altitude: 1,580m above sea level. Ulaanbaatar: 1,380m above sea level. The highest point is the Tawan Bogd (4,374m) in the west and the lowest is the Khokh Nuur lake depression in the east – a more 554m above sea-level. The geography of the country is characterized by great diversity. Mongolia is divided into six basic natural zones, differing in climate, landscape, soil, flora and fauna. The principal mountains are concentrated in the west, with much of this region having elevations above 2,000 meters and the country’s highest peaks permanently snow-capped land covered with glaciers. Mountains and dense forests predominate central and northern Mongolia and grasslands cover large areas of this region. Across the eastern part of the country stretches the vast grasslands of the Asian steppe. The steppe grades into the Gobi desert, which extends throughout southern Mongolia from the east to the west of the country. The Gobi is mostly gravelly, but also contains large areas of sand dunes in the drier areas of the Gobi near the southern border. The country is dotted with hundreds of lakes, the largest being Uvs-Nuur (covering an area of 3,350 sq.kilometers), Huvsgul (2,620 sq. kilometers), and Khara Us-Nuur (1,852 sq.kilometers). Lake Huvsgul is also the largest fresh-water lake in Central Asia. The Orkhon (1,124 kilometres), the Kherlen (1,090 kilometres) and the Selenge (539 kilometres) are the largest rivers. Tribes Chalkha Mongol (85% of population), Kasach (7%), several Mongolian tribes (Burjat, Durwut, Bajat, Dariganga, Dsachtschin, Torgut). Four million Mongols live outside Mongolia. History Mongolia’s history spans 500,000 years. From nomads herding the Central Asian steppe to the formation of the powerful Mongol empire and the gradual emergence of the Mongolian Republic, its history is steeped in conflict. Traditions and customs Traditions and customs of Mongols have a wide range of common traditional practices and religious rituals. Greetings When a visitor spots or approaches a ger he says “Nokhoi khorioroi”, which literally means “Call off the dog”. A hostess or a child usually comes out and invites the guest into a ger. The visitor should not carry a whip, hobble or weapon when he comes in and he hangs his knife from the belt. The visitor normally does not knock on the door. He crosses the threshold with the right foot. A guest greets inside, not outside. In Mongolia, the younger usually greets first and asks’ Ta sain baina uu?’ which means, “How are you?” or “How do you do?” Mongols living in the countryside are not used to shaking hands with visitors; instead, they greet by stretching their arms if they see each other for the first time in the year. Wildlife Mongolia has 136 mammal species, almost 400 different types of birds and 76 species of fish. From the abundance of wolves to the globally endangered Snow Leopard, there is a myriad of wildlife to track, photograph and hunt. Nearly 10% is forest, mainly conifers in the northern region next to Siberia. Most of Mongolia is wide open ‘steppe’ grasslands in transition with the arid lands of the Gobi Desert. The central and northern forest area is home to wolf, wild boar, elk, roedeer, and brown bear. Steppes and forest margins support marmot, muskrat, fox, steppe fox, and sable. Western high Altai Mountain boasts a rich varied wildlife. Apart from common wolf and wild cats, such as lynx and Snow Leopard, Altai is home to the world’s largest wild sheep – Argali and Siberian ibex. The Gobi desert and the eastern Mongolian steppe are inhabited by thousands of gazelles. The rarest animal in Mongolia – the Gobi bear is found in the south western part of Gobi. Wild ass and wild camels are abundantly found in the desert while Argali and Gobi ibex also inhabit the Rocky Mountains within the Gobi region. Wild horses have been reintroduced to the country from captivity abroad after being unseen for about thirty years in their home country. Bird life is rich and includes the golden eagle, bearded vulture and other birds of prey, while the country’s 2,000 lakes are a magnet for water birds including storks and gulls. The east of Mongolia is famous for its bird life, boasting lakes of storks and pelicans, while vultures can be seen across the country and species as rare as the Altai stopcock and the mute swan are still observed in the countryside.” Government of Mongolia Parliamentary type of Government, with President second in authority to state Great Hural (Parliament). Independence 1921 final independence from China. 1990 Democratic reform and shift from dependence on the former Soviet Union. Constitution 1960 and 1992, some revision 1996. Administrative subdivisions 21 aimags (provinces), the capital city (Ulaanbaator), including 3 autonomous cities (Darkhan, Erdenet and Choir).The aimags are subdivided into somons, or district of which there are 298. The biggest aimag is Umnugov which occupies an area of 165,000sq.km but due to its rigorous climatic conditions has the smallest population (only 42,400 people). Ecology and Environment Mongolia’s natural environment remains in good shape compared with that of many Western countries. The country’s small population and nomadic subsistence economy have been its environmental salvation. The great open pastures of its northern half remain ideal for grazing by retaining just enough forest, usually on the upper northern slopes, to shelter the abundant wildlife. However, it does have its share of problems. Communist production quotas put pressure on grasslands to yield more than was sustainable. The recent rise in the number of herders, from 134,000 in 1990 to 414,000 in 2000, and livestock numbers is seriously degrading many pastures. The number of wells has halved in the last decade due to neglect and the health of herds has started to decline. Forest fires are common during the windy spring season. In early 1996 an unusually dry winter fuelled over 400 fires in fourteen of Mongolia’s twenty one aimags. An estimated one-quarter (about 80,000 sq km) of the country’s forests and up to 600,000 livestock (and unknown numbers of wildlife) were destroyed. Damage to the Mongolian local economy was officially estimated at a staggering US$1.9 billion. Serious fires hit again in 1999 and 2000. Other threats to the land include mining (there are some 300 mines) and deforestation. Urban sprawl, coupled with a demand for wood to build homes and to use as heating and cooking fuel, is slowly reducing the forests. Pollution is becoming a serious problem, particularly in Ulaanbaatar. At the top of Zaisan Memorial in the capital, a depressing layer of dust and smoke from the city’s three thermal power stations regularly hovers over the city – this is often appearing in winter, when all homes are continuously burning fuel and the power stations are working overtime. Ulaanbaatar has also suffered from acid rain, and pollution is killing fish in the nearby river Tuul Gol in Central Mongolia. Oil leaks from trucks crossing the frozen bodies of water in winter continue to pollute the pristine lakes of Khovsgol Nuur and Uvs Nuur, despite an official ban on these crossings. Economy Since 1991, the government of Mongolia has been pursuing on a program of economic stabilization and structural reform, and implemented a broad range of measures to expand the scope of market transactions. Privatization: Comprehensive privatization program was launched in early 1990′s. 100 percent privatization of the live-stock ensured preservation of traditional Mongolian economy. Under the law on privatization of housing, almost 100 per cent of housing has been privatized. Resolution of the property issue through privatization has dramatically decreased government’s involvement in economic life and boosted private initiatives. Currently, the private sector produces more than 60 per cent of GDP. Liberalization of foreign trade: Mongolia is one of the few countries in the world where for 2 years tariffs and duties on imports, except for some items, have been abolished. Currently, the reintroduced tarrifs are being sustained at the level of 5 per cent. Exports are exempt from taxation. Due to strict monetary policy, Mongolia managed to curb inflation, which has been aggravated by price liberalization. Thus, considerable progress has been achieved in transforming Mongolia’s economy into a market system. In 1999, GDP growth was sustained at the level of 3.5 per cent, which significantly backs up stabilization of economic development. Growth was ensured mainly by trade, service, agriculture and mining sectors. Consumer price index by the end of 1999, increased by 10 per cent, but did not exceed 15 per cent. Unemployment rate was sustained at the level of 6 per cent. Budget revenues amounted to 259.4 billion tugriks and total expenditures 344.4 billion tugriks. Population The population of Mongolia is at present 2, 5 mil. People. 51% live in urban areas, 1.5 per sq km. Ulaanbaatar: 650.000 inhabitants. The present yearly rate of population growth is estimated as 2.8 per cent. Two thirds of the Mongolian population is below 30 years old, and two fifths of the population is 14 years or below. Much of the population growth of Mongolia has been absorbed in urban areas. The present urban population is above one million, Ulaanbaatar having 700,000 inhabitants – one third of the total population of Mongolia. However, a significant part of the urban populations still live in ger /national dwelling/ habitations on the town peripheries. While the average population density of Mongolia is just over 1 person per sq. km, the population density of Omnogov’ aimag is only 0.2 per sq. km. About 75 per cent of the population of Mongolia speaks Khalka Mongolian, the official language, while another 15 per cent speak other Mongolian languages. Ethnic minorities are mainly speakers of Turkic languages, such as Kazakh, Tuvinian, Urianhai and Hoton. Religion Buddhist Lamaism (94%) since 14th century, Shamanism (in the north), Moslems in the West (Kazakh groups). Traditionally, Mongols practiced Shamanism, worshipping the Blue Sky. However, Tibetan Buddhism (also called Vajrayana Buddhism) gained more popularity after it was introduced in 16th century. Tibetan Buddhism shared the common Buddhist goals of individual release from suffering and reincarnation. Tibet’s Dalai Lama, who lives in India, is the religion’s spiritual leader, and is highly respected in Mongolia. As part of their shamanistic heritage, the people practice ritualistic magic, nature worship, exorcism, meditation, and natural healing. At the beginning of the 20th century, Mongolia had hundreds of Buddhist monasteries and about 30 percent of all men were monks. Communists led an anti-religious campaign in the 1930s, which nearly destroyed the extensive system of monasteries. Under Communist rule, atheism was promoted and monasteries were closed, although shamanistic practices survived. From 1945 to 1990, only one monastery (Gandan in Ulaanbaatar) was allowed to operate. Democratic reform that started in 1990 allowed freedom of religion; well over 100 monasteries have reopened, and Qazaq Muslims are allowed to practice Islam. Many young people are receiving an education through these traditional centers of learning, and the people are once again able to practice cherished traditions. Language The script is Cyrillic due to Russian influence but a switch back to traditional script has begun in schools. Second language: Russian is spoken by many graduates, with many Mongolians formerly educated in Russia. English is replacing Russian as the second language. German is spoken by many graduates, and a little Spanish, France and Japanese is spoken. Chinese not widely understood except in border areas. Literacy The Mongolian literacy is considered as one of the highest: approximately 90 per cent. Educated working force is already available. Most Mongolians speak and understand Russian as it was compulsory at secondary schools during communism. However, there is an urge for learning foreign languages, especially English, Japanese, and Germany among young population. Education Until the start of communism, education was solely provided by the hundreds of monasteries which once dotted the landscape. Since 1921, modern Mongolian education has been a reflection of its, dependence on the USSR. On the one hand, elementary education is universal and free, with the result that Mongolia boasts a literacy rate of between 80% and 90%. Mongolians receive 11 years of education, from ages seven to 17. In remote rural areas where there are no schools, children are often brought to the aimag capitals to stay in boarding schools, returning home only for a two-week rest during winter and a three-month holiday in summer. The Mongolian State University (originally named Choibalsan University in honor of Mongolia’s most bloodstained ruler) was opened in 1942. In the last 10 years private universities, teaching everything from computing to traditional medicine, have sprung up: the country currently has 29 state and 40 private universities, mostly in Ulaanbaatar. Unfortunately, education standards have plummeted since independence and literacy rates are starting to fall. Economic pressures have forced increasing numbers of students to drop out of school; the percentage of students completing compulsory education fell from 87% in 1990 to 57% in 1995. Tertiary students realize they will have to study abroad to gain a worthwhile, internationally accepted qualification. Corruption among low-paid teachers is reportedly rife; students can virtually ‘buy’ good marks at some universities. An interesting gender imbalance is opening up in higher education (although if the reverse were the case it wouldn’t warrant reporting); in 1999 over 70% of university students were female. Around 77% of doctors and 60% of lawyers in Mongolia are women. Distance education has always been important in Mongolia, as so many herders live in remote areas, but economic hardship and higher tuition fees force students to stay at home. A nationwide radio education program, supported by UNESCO, teaches nomads everything from marketing skills to how to best care for Bactrian camels. Clothes There are no special dress codes, though you should avoid wearing revealing clothes in the countryside, even on hot summer days. In Ulaanbaatar on the other hand, Mongolian women dress in contemporary Western style fashions, so you may dress quite freely whilst there. Warm clothes will be needed for any time of the year: even summer evenings can be chilly. If you are only traveling in the height of summer you don’t need a down jacket – a rain shell will do. A long-sleeved shirt is useful against the sun and bugs. A good wide-brimmed hat to protect you from the sun is essential. From September to June (inclusive) you’ll also need a down coat and a fleece or jumper (sweater) – it’s surprising how cold it gets when the sun goes down and the wind picks up. A woolen or fleece hat takes up little space and makes a considerable difference, as most heat loss occurs through your head. In winter bring the warmest clothes you have, including thermal underwear, ski mask, mittens, scarf and thermal boots. Currency The currency of Mongolia is called the tugrik (it is normally written as T). Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1,3, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000 – all marked with the faces of either the ubiquitous Chinggis Khaan or Damdin Sukhbaatar. 1 US $ = 1.100 Tugrik, dollars accepted in the most places and shops. Note that moneychangers will give you slightly better rates for new (i.e. post-1996) US dollar bills and for higher denominations (US$50 and US$100). US dollar bills dated pre-1988 is difficult to exchange anywhere. The employees of our company will suggest you where better to exchange currency. Mongolian law states that all transactions must be made in tugrik and not in US dollars. Excepted are companies and individuals with special permits, such as airlines and travel agencies. All hotels have to accept tugrik, but most tourist ger camps continue to accept US dollars. |
Capital of Mongolia
The regions of Mongolia
TUV (TOV) AIMAG.
Tov may not be the wildest or most
spectacular aimag in Mongolia, but it’s an excellent place to start your
exploration, or to see some of the countryside if your time is limited. It
has a network of good unpaved and paved roads, so you can easily use public
transport to make day or overnight trips from the capital.
The annual average precipitation
is 12 inches (300 mm.) in the main part of the territory and 16 inches (400
mm.) in mountainous areas. The province is well-known of its springs,
Janchivlan, Buuruljuut, Khundgan, Estii, Yestii, Suuj. Lakes include Dukhum,
Davst, Gungaluutai, Tsaidam, Tsakhir. The soil in the South and West of the
territory is pale, brown. Various trees such as Siberian cedar, larch,
poplar, sallick, pine grow in the Basin of Khentii Mountains. Common are
apple manus, wild cherry, black currant, wild rose fruits, rare liquorice,
hippobopae, and medical herbs such as plaintain, bergenia, rooseroot,
thorniopsis. In the province there are 16 species of endangered animals and
birds, such as deer, does, elks, ibex, wild sheep, swans and snowcocks. The
aimag is rich in species such as squirrels, marmots, foxes, bears and lynxes.
Tourist attractions include historic places, such as Noyon Uul, Gua dov,
Terelj durvulj, Tonyukuk’s grave, poems of prince Tsogt carved in rock in
Duut, as old as 450 years, impressive are the ruins of ancient cities of
Hunnu, Uighur, and Turkish Khanates in the province. There are many deposits
of coal, iron ore, lead, tungsten, rocky crystal, spar, turquoise, azurite,
mica, chalcedony, tin, gold and copper. Tuv aimag produces 22 percent of
grain production, and 35 percent of vegetable production of Mongolia.
PLACES TO VISIT:
Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve is a local protected area for conservation of global
threatened species. The Nature Reserve (NR) is founded by the Citizens’
Representative Hural (Local Parliament) of Bayandelger County, Tuv Province
in 2003.
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Sights of interest in Ulaanbaatar
MONASTERIES IN ULAANBAATAR
Around the start of the 19th
century, over 100 temples (sum) and monasteries (khiid) served a population
of only about 50,000 in Ulaanbaatar. Religious historians estimate that maybe
over 50% of the population at the time were monks or nuns. During the
Stalinist purges of the late 1930s, most of the city’s temples and
monasteries were destroyed. Several thousand monks and nuns were murdered,
while many more fled or abandoned their Buddhist life. Only since the early
1990s have the people of Mongolia started to openly practice Buddhism again.
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The Naadam festival
Tsagaan sar
For Mongolians, the
first holiday to celebrate the New Year is Tsagaan Sar.
There is a common practice that
the people around the world celebrate the New Year and farewell to the
passing year. The oriental people celebrate the New Year a bit late than the
Europeans. Since the XIII century, the Mongols used to celebrate the New Year
in autumn and called it originally “White Month”.
From 1206 or the Year of the White
Tiger when the Great Mongolian State was proclaimed, Tsagaan Sar or New Year
Celebration has moved to spring. On the first occasion of Tsagaan Sar,
Chinggis Khaan awarded 88 persons of outstanding merits, who had
significantly contributed to the deeds of the State. Since then, it becomes a
tradition that khaan, or later the State Head awards persons deserving merits
and remits the criminals. Tsagaan Sar is the celebration of getting through
the winter in plenty and seeing in spring, as well as it is everybody’s Birthday
celebration.
The preparations for Tsagaan Sar Celebration are made long ahead
and there is no worries about overload. While Tsagaan Sar approaches, people
get prepared with new clothes, clean up their dwellings and pens, and get
ready with small gifts and confectionary “to pay sweetener” of the guests.
Mainly, the 30th of the last month
of a lunar calendar year is called “bituun”. When stars come out in the sky,
every household begins preparing food. Titbits are placed on a dish, an
uneven number of “Boov”, a type of pastry made in a mould are arranged in 3,
5, 7 layers. This is a matter of consideration of the rules that people’s
sufferings and happiness take turns.
There are some specific customs
practiced by people in the evening of “bituun”. The households prepare
dumpling-type of food such as buuz and bansh, both are meat dumplings (buuz
steamed, bansh boiled), cook an intact sheep’s head with the chin-bone and
tongue still in place, make offerings to the God as a sacrifice and break
open a marrow-bone. This is called “bituurekh”. In bituun one needs “to eat
to repletion” or to have enough food. This symbolizes plenty of food and full
belly in the coming New Year. In bituun households place on the food-table a
sheep’s carcase and cow breast-bone. The carcase tail is to be decorated by
butter extracted from milk by churning or from cream by heating and its
leftovers. Other pieces of meat need to be arranged according to the
practiced rules.
The neighbors exchange bituun
food. Everybody eats, the elderly sprinkle an offering of spirit. Children
and youth enjoy themselves while playing ankle-bones.
On this day people avoid to wander
around going from ger to ger (traditional felt dwelling of the Mongols), to
beat their children, to get dogs whining, to talk to each other loudly from
inside and outside ger, to go out of ger with one’s mouth full and without
wiping it off, and to take medicine without being seriously sick.
In the first morning of Tsagaan Sar young and old alike get up
early, take some food, tea, table or mat etc and go to “ovoo”, cairn erected
as a shrine or to an eminence, and have ceremony such as praying to the
heavens and making a ritual start in a prescribed direction at New Year. From
there, they go to give New Year greetings to their parents, brothers,
sisters, relatives and neighbors in order of age. People greet each other in
a unique way. The younger people vow to the elderly and cross their hands
under the hands of the older people supporting their elbow, with an offer of
“Hadag”, a blue scarf as token of respect.
Thereafter, the guests have a seat
and exchange snuff-bottles in greeting and say: have you got through the
winter in plenty and seeing at spring well. With these traditional New Year
greetings they encourage each other.
When the elderly offer a round of
drinking and singing, long-songs “Bogd Chinggis Khaan”, “Heavens Wind”, Stupa
Height” are performed in chorus and a couple of drinks can be consumed. Then
the guests say “many visits ahead, long distances to go, horses get frosted”,
and mount their horses to continue their visits.
Another practice is people observe
signs of the coming year from dawn till dark during the first day of Tsagaan
Sar. For example, a slow break of day at dawn and crystal-clear cloudless sky
at sunrise symbolizes a fortunate year for babies and little ones.
People avoid doing sewing, to stay
overnight away home, to weep, to quarrel, to throw ash and rubbish
everywhere, to go for water, to lie down and sleep during day time.
Historically, Tsagaan Sar has been always the most honored celebration as it
has to do with all, young and old alike.
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Mongolia arts and culture
Historical essentials of Mongolian culture
Rock-paintings
The rock-painting monuments found
on the territory of Mongolia and survived to date from the early Iron Age
bring us the message of our ancestors who lived 5 000-3 000 years ago. The
monuments allow us to read the ancient history of Mongolia. The capable
depiction of horse-cart, ox-cart attracts the attention of researchers even
today. While the earliest rock-paintings depict wild beasts and birds, with
the passage of time the ability of depicting gets improved, the paintings
show people’s life to a greater extent alongside with beasts. These works
illustrate hunting scenes, sowing of crops, domestication of animals, ox-cart
carriages, and even the intimate relations of men and women.
Stone memorials
The most famous stone memorials
found on the teritory of Mongolia belong to the Turkic period. The valuable
stone memorials of Toniyukuk, Bilge Khan and Kultegin found in the Orkhon
Valley hold the history of the ancestors of today’s 70 million Turkish
people. These three generals who were the latest leaders of the powerful
state in the Central Asia inscribed on the memorial how they had made the
great state. The scripts on the side of the memorial are in Runic having a
history of 1200 years. The stone memorials, still existing in the Orkhon
Valley and evidencing the great history, are registered by UNESCO as cultural
heritage.
Erdenezuu
Erdenezuu is a historical
religious monument connected with the legendary Kharkhorin city, the ancient
capital of Mongolia that remained hidden to the world for 500-600 years. The
history of Mongolians has been always evidenced by others’ history. The
Kharkhorin city has become known to the world due to the history about
Mongolians written by States that are isolated tens of thousands kilometers
away from each other. The Kharkhorin city of 30 thousand inhabitants was
invaded by 100 thousand soldiers of Ming dynasty, and burned down. Later, the
stone wall remains were transported, and the current Erdenezuu monastry was
build up. It is no exageration to say that for some time the monastry served
not only as the religious center; it also served as the political and economic
center of Mongolians.
Three Learned States
India, Tibet and Mongolia were
named as learned in the Buddhist religion. Wanchin-Erdene, Dalai Lama and
Bogd Gegeen constitute the Buddhist religious monarch system to discover and
install each other. Mongolians played a key role in systematizing the
Buddhist religious principles and established a college which promoted to the
development of scientific branches in monasteries. Einstein recognized the
Buddhist philsophy to be the most systematic and scientifc religion. Buddhism
is the most peaceful, at the same time; it is the most powerful religion.
Morin Khur
Morin Khur, or horse-head fiddle
is a Mongolian national musical instrument. Up to 1990s the instrument was
mainly used to perform national melodies which imitate animals’ and nature’s
appearance and behavior, especially the horse. Nowadays, it is also used to
perform world classical melodies. Many of the Mongolian and foreign
spectators are impressed and delighted about the instrument’s potential. Morin
Khur which represents the greatest symbol of national musical instruments was
created by the nomadic Mongolians, and it is registered into the world
cultural heritage. A new player of Morin Khur, first of all, learns to
imitate the amble gait of a horse. This shows that the horse-head fiddle is
inseparable from the Mongolians and their horses. The horse has been the
pride of Mongolian cavalrymen, and the mainstay of their unity.
Long song
Long song is a unique traditional
singing style known as Urtiin duu. Its miracle is unrepeatable elsewhere. A
herder taking herds to pasture sings a song which involves extraordinarily
complicated, drawn-out vocal sounds. It is evocative of the boundless steppe.
While the people from other countries live in relevancy of each other, the
Mongolians are comparatively independent people. This specific of life is
formed into majestic profound songs, demanding great skill and the breathing
abilities. Long songs are produced in the depth of people’s real life that is
why there is no author and composer. They represent one of the oldest genres
of Mongolian musical art, dating to the 13th century.
Khuumii
The Khuumii involves producing two
simultaneous tones with the human voice. It is a difficult skill requiring
special ways of breathing. One tone comes out as a whistle-like sound, the
result of locked breath in the chest being forced out through the throat in a
specific way, while a lower tone sounds as a base. The Khuumii is considered
musical art -not exactly singing, but using one’s throat as an instrument. It
doesn’t occur in other national cultures.
Bielge, or dance of
the body
Bielge is particular to the people
of western Mongolia. The dancers make practically no use of their feet.
Instead, the dancers use only the upper part of their bodies. There are more
than ten types of Bielge distinguishable by the movement of arms, especially
shoulders, wrist and fingers. Mongolians perform Bielge since childhood. In
olden days the herding neighbors used to get together in their ger to have a
fun of dancing Bielge. This way the traditional manner of performing Bielge
has been handed down from generation to generation and reached the present
time in a somewhat modified form.
Epics and legends
This ancient genre, enriched by
generations, combines poetry, songs, music and the individuality of each
performer. Singers may sing with or without a musical instrument. These sung
stories are told from memory and may have thousands of quatrains. Such long
stories are usually performed on a long winter night.
By combining stories, music and
drama, herders organize a kind of home school. The children, while playing
various collective games with bone and wooden toys, listen to the songs and
learn about history, life and folklore. “Geser”, “Jangar”, “Khan Kharakhui”,
and “Bum Erdene” are classic legend and story songs. Each is a library of
folk wisdom and national heritage.
Ger, the traditional
dwelling
The Mongolian, Kyrgyz and Kazakh
people live in ger what the West, following Russians, call yurt. However,
Kyrgyz and Kazakh people have given up the portable home of nomads and
already transferred to a sedentary way of life. Hut was the first human dwelling
10 thousand years ago. Thereafter, a round form dwelling ger, the portable
home of nomads has been created. Its dismantling takes only half an hour,
erection takes about an hour. The “khana” (wooden wall shell) is erected and
the “uni” (rafters) are set and only then is the covering felt laid. The
girth-ropes express future, present and past times, and the three
generations. The valuable objects and religious altars are kept in “hoimor”
opposite the door. Male belongings, including saddle and bridle as well as
Morin Huur (horse-head fiddle) are kept in the western section, as it is
occupied by men. Women occupy the eastern section, where they keep kitchen
utensils in a rack. Ger looks like the terrestrial globe. Due to its
round-form, it does not store bad energy in its corners. People who live in
ger easily get asleep. And spending a night in ger quickly removes one’s
agitation and anger.
Clothing
The main garment is the deel, a
long, one-piece gown made from wool or silk. Most Mongolians have several different
deels, appropriate for different seasons, as well as a more decorative deel
for special occasions. Winter deels are often lined with sheep skin. The deel
has a high collar, is often brightly colored, is worn with a multipurpose
sash, and is worn by men and women year-round. Ethnic groups are
differentiated by the color, decoration, and shape of their deel. The
khantaaz is a shorter traditional jacket, often made of silk, which is also
buttoned to the side, and usually worn over the deel. With regards to hats,
the fur-trimmed hats, mostly made of sable, are popular. The gutul is a high
boot made from thick leather and sometimes decorated ornately. They are easy
to put on – both the left and right boot is the same shape. There exist many
explanations for the curled, upturned toe.
Dairy products
The main food of Mongolians is
meat and dairy products. There is no other nation used to make so many
various kinds of products out of milk and consume to such an extent like
Mongolians. Later, Tibetans learned from Mongolians how to make dairy
products.
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Mongolian traditional food and milk
products
Climate in Mongolia
Mongolia is known to the world as
country of “Blue Sky”. It has a continental climate, with long, cold, dry
winters and brief, mild, and relatively wet summers. When Arctic air masses
dominate in mid-winter, temperatures average 68° F (-20° С) to 95° F (-35°
С). In the Uvs Lake basin in northwestern Mongolia, known as one of the
coldest places in all of Asia, the lowest temperature ever recorded is 136° F
(-58° С). By contrast, summer time temperatures in the Gobi desert climb as
high as 104° F (40° С). Annual precipitation ranges from 24 inches (600 mm.)
in the Khentii, Altai, and Khuvsgul Mountains to less than 4 inches (100 mm.)
in the Gobi. In some parts of the Gobi, no precipitation may fall for several
years in a row. Mongolia has the 4 seasons. There are spring, summer, autumn
and winter.
Temperature (the
highest-the lowest).
Rainfall (average)
SPRING IN MONGOLIA
Spring comes after a severe
winter, days become longer, and nights shorter. It is the time for snow to
melt and for animals to come out from hibernation. All animals and livestock
breed while the soil thaws in the warm spring weather. In Mongolia “Khansh neekh”
means some animals, which hibernated, awoke from their sleep. Spring is the
prosperous season of the year when everybody is calm and relaxed; grass turns
green, anemones grow up and nature is covered with its green dress. Beginning
in March spring usually lasts about 60 days although it can be as long as 70
days or as short as 45 days in some areas of the country. For people and
livestock, it is also a harsh season of the driest and the windiest days
although it gets warm in spring, livestock breed and gain their weight; and
grass becomes green.
SUMMER IN MONGOLIA
Summer is the warmest season in
Mongolia. Generally, precipitation is higher in summer than any time of the
year. Rivers and streams are at their fullest in summer. It is the time when
pasture, grass and crops grow and livestock gain weight and fat. It is the
most pleasant time with abundant dairy products and there are many feasts and
holidays of happy people. In Mongolia, summer lasts about 110 days from the
end of May until September. July is the warmest month of summer and it is 59°
F (15° С) and 68° F (20° С) in mountainous areas of Khangai region, 68° F
(20° С) and 77° F (25° С) in the steppes and the highest temperature is
between 90° F (32° С) and 95° F (35° С) in Khangai and 104° F (40° С) and
106° F (41° С) in Gobi. Sometimes it reaches 122° F (50° С) in Gobi.
AUTUMN IN MONGOLIA
Autumn in Mongolia is the season
of transition from the hot and wet summer to the cold and dry winter. There
is less rainfall in autumn. Gradually it gets cooler and vegetables and
grains are harvested at this time. Pasture and forests become yellow. Flies
die and livestock is fat and woolly in preparation for the winter. Autumn is
an important season in Mongolia in order to prepare for winter; harvesting
the crops, vegetables and fodder; getting ready their cattle barns and sheds;
preparing firewood and warming up their homes and so on. Autumn lasts about
60 days from the beginning of September until the early November. In some
years, there are many long and sunny days in autumn.
WINTER IN MONGOLIA
In Mongolia, winter is the most
severe, the coldest and longest season. All rivers, lakes, streams and ponds
freeze in winter. It snows throughout the country, but not heavily. After
making all the necessary preparations for a long winter, herdsmen stay at
their winter camps. Winter starts early in November and lasts about 110 days
until March. Sometimes it snows in September and November, but the heavy snow
usually occurs at the beginning of November. January is the coldest winter
month in Mongolia and the mean temperature is 95°F (-35°С) in Khangai
mountain regions, 59° F (-15°С) in Gobi and 68°F (-20°С) and 77°F (-25°С) in
the other parts of the country. However, 50° F (-10° С) in Europe means 68° F
(-20° С) in Mongolia.
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